Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Miller Time]

Ironically, they mistook an asset (IE his excellent IQ) as him looking "lost" on the ice, when actually he was almost always in the play positionally in all 3 zones, and showed great anticipation, and awareness. He just didn't end-up with the puck on his stick as much yet, and when he did, he made awesome passes (again in all 3 zones), and setup plays that were flubbed by Anderson et al. Many of us pointed to these facts only to be ridiculed and mocked.

And still to this day, at least 2 of the biggest culprits don't have the cahone's to come back to this thread now that Slaf is proving them dead-wrong.

Good reminder that not all opinions, or eye tests, are the same...

The next 2-4 yrs will be interesting. Does Slaf turn a corner and start imposing himself in a way that makes full use of his impressive tool box?

What separates guys like Kuch, Pasternak et. is their incredible will and determination to assert themselves. Slaf still seems hesitant out there, especially from a shooting and physical imposing pov... Tmif he makes that shift, the highest projections of his ceiling are certainly within reach & we'll have a unique elite offensive talent we haven't seen since the 70's

 

[Shutdown]

I don't think there's a lot of realism in being overly optimistic and happy for a 1st overall currently mirroring (read: actually doing worse than him, because his first season was way way better) the biggest bust in the cap era beause the eye test says he's doing a little better than he was 30 games ago

And sadly it's the closest comparative we have since nobody else started out as bad as Slaf in that same era

I'm optimistic about things that make sense to be optimistic about. I love Guhle I think he's doing pretty good, i'm a big fan of Montembeault as a modern nhl goalie, Suzuki/Cole is a great combo and I love them eventho I got frustrated at Cole's production that stalled, I'll wait and see on Hutson and hope he can be as good as people predict

but hey you're right I guess, go habs go for life i'll pull out the car flag

guess we just don't see the game the same way

 

[Tabarouette]

guess we just don't see the game the same way

i'll extrapolate that you HATE Guhle then, sad to see

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

We have all been wrong about players before. No big deal. It's OK to be optimistic about your favourite sports team. It's not that serious. The dude needs to relax and enjoy life.

This is it. This whole hedging to guard against future hurt or not wanting to be wrong is silly.

It's sports. Have fun. Get too excited. People think it's smarter to curb any excitement they have when it's actually quite the opposite. Hell if you want to think Mitchell Stephens is a future PPG player, go ahead. Who cares? lol.

 

[LesCanadiens]

Good reminder that not all opinions, or eye tests, are the same...

The next 2-4 yrs will be interesting. Does Slaf turn a corner and start imposing himself in a way that makes full use of his impressive tool box?

What separates guys like Kuch, Pasternak et. is their incredible will and determination to assert themselves. Slaf still seems hesitant out there, especially from a shooting and physical imposing pov... Tmif he makes that shift, the highest projections of his ceiling are certainly within reach & we'll have a unique elite offensive talent we haven't seen since the 70's

Totally agree. I'm not worried one bit about the bolded part.

He's still a kid. So the physical play will grow as he grows. Thornton was Bambi before KK was Bambi. And it took time for the huge teeny-bopper to mature into his big frame. They're so similar in many ways, including that giddy goofiness (I remember Thornton well) in interviews. Just kids. And he's not afraid to mix it up, as he showed last game. Shows passion. Which is awesome to see.

And the second and most important reason I'm not worried about this, is Slaf has the will and work ethic to adapt and overcome. As did Thornton and as KK did not.

And for all those reasons, barring injury (knock on wood), I think we do have a unique, offensive talent with an almost infinite ceiling.

 

[Tyson]

Logan Cooley in his first 20 games had 13 points. Slaf had 6. Slaf is now only 5 points behind. He is catching up, and I think he will pass him by the end of the year. Another troll talking point hopefully squashed.

You win with large, skilled guys in the playoffs. Give me Slaf all day AIAEC.

 

[Miller Time]

You win with large, skilled guys in the playoffs. Give me Slaf all day AIAEC.

indeed. Cooley is a nice asset, and if he hits his full ceiling, may eventually be a top-10 scoring Center... but he won't impact the game nearly as broadly as Slaf will despite playing a C.

Likewise, the floor on Slaf is much higher than Cooley's floor should the two not progress much beyond their current NHL regular level.

 

[Jaaanosik]

i'll extrapolate that you HATE Guhle then, sad to see

You are one entertaining guy.

 

[Redux91]

Just going back quickly to find some comparatives for 1st overalls on their second season

31 points is the pace Yakupov was on (24 points in 63 games)
31 points is what Lafreniere did

everyone else was clearing that bar with ease, including the "busts" like Stephan and most defenseman

so yes i'd say setting your expectations at Nail Yakupov is an incredibly low bar and it's depressing enough to consider crying before 10am

you can look at first season too if you want to argue about difference in age, it's pretty similar

He's gonna be fine and better than Yakupov
But Thanks

 

[HuGort]

I admit I was wrong with the Slaf pick. I wanted Cooley. Who will be good player though. Keller caliber I predicted.

But Slaf still only 19. In last 6 weeks he has 12 Pts in 19 GP. With 4 Goals, 8 Assists and 17 Hits,
18 Blocks

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I admit I was wrong with the Slaf pick. I wanted Cooley. Who will be good player though. Keller caliber I predicted.

But Slaf still only 19. In last 6 weeks he has 12 Pts in 19 GP. With 4 Goals, 8 Assists and 17 Hits,
18 Blocks

Honestly, it’s so early that your original call could be right. We won’t know for a few years.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He's gonna be fine and better than Yakupov
But Thanks

The difference is that Yakupov started great and then went down. Slaf has done nothing but progress.

 

[Shawnathon]

Ironically, they mistook an asset (IE his excellent IQ) as him looking "lost" on the ice, when actually he was almost always in the play positionally in all 3 zones, and showed great anticipation, and awareness. He just didn't end-up with the puck on his stick as much yet, and when he did, he made awesome passes (again in all 3 zones), and setup plays that were flubbed by Anderson et al. Many of us pointed to these facts only to be ridiculed and mocked.

And still to this day, at least 2 of the biggest culprits don't have the cahone's to come back to this thread now that Slaf is proving them dead-wrong.

He was very lost on the ice for a long time. Turns out it was only age. You saying he wasn’t lost is untrue.

 

[overlords]

Ironically, they mistook an asset (IE his excellent IQ) as him looking "lost" on the ice, when actually he was almost always in the play positionally in all 3 zones, and showed great anticipation, and awareness. He just didn't end-up with the puck on his stick as much yet, and when he did, he made awesome passes (again in all 3 zones), and setup plays that were flubbed by Anderson et al. Many of us pointed to these facts only to be ridiculed and mocked.

And still to this day, at least 2 of the biggest culprits don't have the cahone's to come back to this thread now that Slaf is proving them dead-wrong.

The receipts I have from some people who sound like they suck their own dicks while posting and claimed that slaf had no IQ to speak of make me smile.

 

[JianYang]

Logan Cooley in his first 20 games had 13 points. Slaf had 6. Slaf is now only 5 points behind. He is catching up, and I think he will pass him by the end of the year. Another troll talking point hopefully squashed.

Two different players. Cooley may well be a bigger point producer in his career, but I think slaf could become a more muti dimensional player.

It is complicated comparison and I don't think point totals will be the full story.

 

[1909]

Two different players. Cooley may well be a bigger point producer in his career, but I think slaf could become a more muti dimensional player.

It is complicated comparison and I don't think point totals will be the full story.

... And one has to play in front of the most intense and demanding hockey fans and medias, and the other, in front of 4600 folks in Arizona....

 

[the valiant effort]

Another unclean goal. I need this kid to snipe from 49 ft out or I’m done

 

[Balthazar]

Another unclean goal. I need this kid to snipe from 49 ft out or I’m done

Just a goal from a normal shot on goal from anywhere would do.

 

[Nicko999]

Point #20 this season.

 

[Tyson]

He will become the best forward on this team.

 

[LesCanadiens]

He was very lost on the ice for a long time. Turns out it was only age. You saying he wasn’t lost is untrue.

Oh, I see. I guess YOURS is the final word on this. I said all along that I didn't think he was lost and explained why. I think the coaching staff agrees with this as there is no way he would've stayed with the big team otherwise. And that has much more clout than any internet coaches.

 

[Jaynki]

Exponential, parabolic growth.

12 points in the last 17 games.

20 in the next 33 games gives him a 40 points season.

 

[teamfirst]

This guy is pretty good at hockey

 

[Tyson]

Sid still has it

 

[the valiant effort]

Sid still has it

Really hope he gets out of PITT but I think he probably is loyal to the end