Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Miller Time]

I'm not saying, in the aggregate, facing his wall isn't positive. But that wall was more than an "up and down", it was an habit that he had to overcome in fundamental ways in order to progress.

And his visible commitment to the process of change he was asked & coached to undertake, despite the dip in immediate comfort level/outcomes, is precisely what validated the decision to keep him here... And precisely what so many overlooked either from inability to recognize it and/or from an over-emphasis on stat line outcomes in their assessment

No small feat to maintain the self-esteem required to stay diligent with that kind of work in such a critical media/fan environment, where every shift, let alone game, without a point draws intense scrutiny. That trait/quality was part of the team's scouting profile on him, and has shown itself to have been a very good assessment. Bodes well for his ongoing progress and chances at hitting the high end of his considerable potential.

Future is bright

 

[Supersonic]

Kent Diamond Hands Hughes and his reluctance to send him to the AHL is paying off

 

[Jaaanosik]

Kent Diamond Hands Hughes and his reluctance to send him to the AHL is paying off

What do you know, the guy might know something about the job he is doing.

 

[Scriptor]

One of the best things about Slaf playing with Cole and Nick is the fact that his natural style of play compliments them perfecttly. He is exactly what they needed, and the revolving door of players in that spot can now stop. Unlike many others who tried to play on this line, Slaf doesn't need to force anything. He would be playing like this on any line, with any linemates,

If he can play at a .6 PPG for the rest of the year, which is realistic playing with Cole and Nick, that's a 40 point season. That would be awesome.

The only player that didn't force anything playing with Caufield and Suzuki was Dach and him returning to RW is still a possibility coming off a serious injury. More so if wowing the lottery and choose a player like Celebrini, or, short of winning the lottery, manage to choose a power forward like Cayden Lindstrom who actually pans out at C (I think he will be winger).

Slafkovsky could be part of a kid line with that player, whether it is adding size to a line pivoted by a smaller Celebrini, or forming two thirds of a Legion of Doom with a larger C like Lindstrom.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I call for ppg the next year.
Who is with me?

Well that would be suweeet

 

[BaseballCoach]

Tripling down on a bad take would be what you did in the PLD thread when I brought up all the red flags with the player and you weren’t having any of it. I do stand by what I said. Thinking that a struggling 18-19 year old may be better served playing in a lower league is not a bad take regardless if Slafkovsky is able to develop in the NHL.

Actually, I was always lukewarm on PLD. I insisted his AAV be no more than $7.8M and the assets given up be modest, otherwise we should pass.

 

[Andy]

depending on what other talent the habs add to the lineup over the years, I do feel like Slaf's season to season point totals will depend on whether he will stay on the #1 PP.

Right now Cole and Suzuki will be long-term staples on PP1. Monahan won't be here forever, but likely to be replaced by Dach when he comes back. If the habs acquire a star, does Dach or Slaf get moved to PP2? That will affect point totals for sure and something that needs to be considered.

Of course, it will be up to Slaf to make sure he can force his way on to PP1 long-term.

 

[billy piton]

i really liked him going to to net from the right side on pp.

last night, as soon as caufield and suzuki took control of the puck on the left side, slaf was near the goal on the opposite side.

first pp, the defence cheated and didn't respect slaf and he scored, on second pp, same story but goalie stopped him. on third pp the avs left only one player on their right side, and nick and cole easily outplayed him and caufield scored. it was way better than before when slaf was standing on the right half boards being ignored by matheson while defences cheated towards caufield without any problems.

 

[OldCraig71]

I call for ppg the next year.
Who is with me?

If he got to 50 points next season it would be a great accomplishment.

 

[417]

Maybe I misunderstood the poster, but to claim that the positivity in Slaf's game is hindsight is pure BS.

There was a large contingent here that saw Slaf's skills even when he was still raw and going pointless.

As I have been saying since the beginning, you get concerned with prospects when there is stagnation or regression. On the aggregate since game one, he's only been trending positive. It's amazing to watch him develop because he's actually improving on various areas of his game. It signals that he is a sponge and has the talent to actually refine his flaws. I mean just look at his defensive game. He went from completely raw to one of the best defensive forwards on the club in like 30 games. He looks like a vet in the defensive zone.

I'm still not sure what his ceiling is, but he's definitely not close to it.

Some people trying to rewrite a history that was already foretold lol.

Like there aren't pages and pages of references we can go back on.

But I digress.

 

[themilosh]

Some people trying to rewrite a history that was already foretold lol.

Like there aren't pages and pages of references we can go back on.

But I digress.

All I know is I was all in for Wright, and boy was I wrong.. thank god Hugo doesn't listen to the peanut gallery.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

What a stud , stay close to the net my king because Matheson ain't giving you the rock anytime soon.

 

[417]

All I know is I was all in for Wright, and boy was I wrong.. thank god Hugo doesn't listen to the peanut gallery.

That's who I initially wanted too, but not because I really knew anything about him but he was a guy I had been hearing about for years as the "next one up".

And to be honest, I still think he's going to be a good player in the NHL.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

He's played the same amount of games this year, as he did last.

He only has 4 more points.

Yet it feels totally different.

I know some folks can’t separate production from development, but he's shown a ton of progress.

I can’t wait to see what the next 40+ games look like.

I agree it feels
Different. As for points, what’s his PPG once he was put with talent( Suzuki/ Caufield). Amazing production for a kid

 

[HabsCode]

I agree it feels
Different. As for points, what’s his PPG once he was put with talent( Suzuki/ Caufield). Amazing production for a kid

3 goals 6 assist in 14 games since last month.

Projecting to 16 goals 32 assists for 48 points over 82 games. This is what should be expected from a 1st overall playing on the first line in his D+2.

 

[DAChampion]

How was his goal and his play last game?

 

[Team_Spirit]

How was his goal and his play last game?

Sportsnet bozos in disbelief

 

[admiralcadillac]

How was his goal and his play last game?

His play late game is always good, seems he isn’t dying like he was last year if that’s what you mean.

His goal is how he will score most of his goals, in front of the net gathering a rebound.

 

[LesCanadiens]

How was his goal and his play last game?

His goal was a PP net front beauty. Nice cross-ice pass by Nick and Slaf then uses his reach to tuck in his own rebound after his first shot was stopped.

He was a force all game long in all 3 zones. Colorado had no answer for him. Couldn't handle him. He literally had his way vs them.

 

[Tyson]

I don't watch intermission stuff with so called experts discussing anything. Did the group actually use last season's talking points when discussing Slaf?

 

[waitin425]

My expectations for next season, based on a healthy roster (aye, there's the rub), would be 40 points or more for Slafkovsky, whether he plays with Suzuki and Caufield, or Dach and someone else.

I suspect he could go higher, 50 pts next year. A lot depends on his usage and where we put him. Dach replacing Monahan on PP1 should have an immediate impact. If for some reason Monahan is still here and Dach replaces Slaf, I will vomit. Also, we need a better option than Matheson on that PP1 crew.

Dach, to me is the wildcard. If he comes back and continues on that curve, we were seeing last year, and so desperately hoping for last year, all of our top 6 will get a bump.

Having a legitimate threat on the second line, draws attention away from the top line. Until we acquire some more top end talent, I'd look at pairs of players to spread out the scoring threats.

Something like....

***** - Suzuki - Slaf
Caufield - Dach - *****
****** - Newhook - PowerDonkey

There are holes to fill for sure and a lot of unknowns. This coming draft we need high end offensive talent to pair with Suzuki and Slaf, or to move into the Caufield spot with Dach. I think Newhook can stay third line centre next year, unless we re-sign Money or for some reason Beck makes a huge jump. Otherwise Newhook has potential to be a top 6er for us.

 

[LesCanadiens]

I don't watch intermission stuff with so called experts discussing anything. Did the group actually use last season's talking points when discussing Slaf?

I was watching the Colorado feed. Didn't watch their intermission. But during play-by-play, they were really impressed with Slaf's play. Actually very good commentators. Not homers.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

I'm still not sure what his ceiling is, but he's definitely not close to it.

It's insane to me that some people were arguing that Slaf's potential was being a 40-point player.

 

[Tyson]

I was watching the Colorado feed. Didn't watch their intermission. But during play-by-play, they were really impressed with Slaf's play. Actually very good commentators. Not homers.

Colorado does have good commentators. I watch the Avs alot and enjoy them. I do miss Peter McNab though.

 

[admiralcadillac]

I don't watch intermission stuff with so called experts discussing anything. Did the group actually use last season's talking points when discussing Slaf?

It’s like none of them have seen him play at all