Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Rapala]

It's strange how different people can see things so polar opposite. I always thought his IQ was good and sometimes looked elite. Now it almost always looks elite.

To all of you saying this thread is too positive. WT ever loving F? What's there to complain about? Does it suck to have a 19 year old uber-skilled 240lb winger??

I don't think people were wrong last season questioning his play making ability he rarely demonstrated it. With regards to his IQ there were times where you could tell he saw the ice well others not so much. For me it all boiled down to getting the time in on NA ice. Even though his season was cut short he and the staff knew exactly what was critical to work on over the summer. Peripheral vision reaction time and stamina.

 

[JoelWarlord]

It also helps to showcase Monahan.

In 2 months we've genuinely gone from "we need Slaf to play with Suzuki and Caufield so he can produce to "we need Slaf to help showcase Monahan", it rules

 

[teamfirst]

Oh sure, you need to have the tools to begin with. Still, he was so damn raw as a rookie, I really do think it's impressive.

It is but not surprising to me, las season was his first and he was only 18, when i saw him perform in the WHC prior to the draft i knew this guy was the real deal

 

[Rapala]

In 2 months we've genuinely gone from "we need Slaf to play with Suzuki and Caufield so he can produce to "we need Slaf to help showcase Monahan", it rules

He was demoted because he was struggling you know. The great news is it didn't affect his confidence. For me it's no coincidence our PP1 has improved since he became a fixture. Suzuki has to use him more on zone entry and eventually that will free up the other side. Matheson has to use him far more often
also and not just for the shot but to vary our attack point. I can't wait until we get Dach back we can start using five forwards at one point.

 

[PavelBrendl]

What a f***ing treat getting to watch this kid slowly become a cornerstone for the team. As a Habs fan you get so used to seeing home-grown players plateau way too early.

 

[Nedved]

He's starting to look like a top line winger. It feels like when things go his way he'll have a couple monster seasons in regards to how he impacts the game. I'm eating crow on this pick, he's turning into a favourite player on the habs.

 

[Sorinth]

5 goals 8 assists in last 20 games.

Pace over 82 games: 20g 33p 53pts.

If he finishes the season at that last 20 game pace it would put him at 42 points which is inline with what guys like Rantanen and Hughes did in their D+2 season.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

He's starting to look like a top line winger. It feels like when things go his way he'll have a couple monster seasons in regards to how he impacts the game. I'm eating crow on this pick, he's turning into a favourite player on the habs.

Feel comforted in the knowledge that many of us have feasted on a similar diet with respect to a number of other notable prospects over the years.

 

[Goalfield13]

The top line is the one Slaf is on from this point forward.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

He's a beast

 

[teamfirst]

Went to read the bet thread made before the draft......good memories

A bet for all Habs fans​

• Thread starterBenchBrawl
• Start dateJul 5, 2022

 

[Hansman]

Oh sure, you need to have the tools to begin with. Still, he was so damn raw as a rookie, I really do think it's impressive.

I find it impressive also,wait til he gets his man strength in 3-4 years he will be a beast.

 

[Artaud]

When was the last time a 19 year old kid was this physically dominant in the NHL? Eric Lindros?

He is a freak athlete but his ability to finish is terrible, otherwise he'd have twice as many goals.

 

[Paddy17]

View attachment 812047

Every. Friggin. Game.

 

[Pazucha]

To be fair yes Matheson should be passing more often to Slaf

but

Slaf still needs to improve his positioning - often times he is standing way to deep behind a player (it may not look like that from up where the camera guy stands)

I am looking forward to the WC if he plays for Team Slovakia and how he looks on a powerplay with a different players.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

In 2 months we've genuinely gone from "we need Slaf to play with Suzuki and Caufield so he can produce to "we need Slaf to help showcase Monahan", it rules

I was thinking the same thing actually…

 

[Sam de Mtl]

I am not so surprised that Slaf is doing well at 5on5. His strength and reach is useful in that phase of the game.

What is a little more surprising to me is that he contributed positively to the PP (even if it's not perfect yet) as his strength and size isn't much of a factor in that phase of the game. It means that his skills are sufficient at 19 to be on PP1. That's some impressive stuff.

 

[SlafySZN]

 

[Jaaanosik]

He looks like a different player from beginning of the year/last year. It’s amazing what a little confidence does. My main argument in these threads had been if you aren’t going to give him reps in the NHL to build up his game and confidence, he shouldn’t be on the team at all. It does not surprise me when he started getting real top 6 opportunities that he started to get rolling.

The bold part: That is the point of contention here in this thread.
There are many people here that recognized from the beginning Slaf is good and he would take off once more ice time is given to him.
... and there were many people here who did not see that for whatever reason and argued their point of view.
This is all good, natural.

 

[the valiant effort]

With Monahan likely gone in a month it is as good a time as any to let Slaf learn from the team’s only other brainy centre. After Monahan’s gone it’s going be a sad state down the middle

 

[The Great Weal]

With Monahan likely gone in a month it is as good a time as any to let Slaf learn from the team’s only other brainy centre. After Monahan’s gone it’s going be a sad state down the middle

I mean they will just put him back with Nick and Cole. It's going to be Newhook who will say "nahh I'll just sit out for the rest of the year" when he sees that he's going to play with Pearson and Anderson.

 

[GrandBison]

I mean they will just put him back with Nick and Cole. It's going to be Newhook who will say "nahh I'll just sit out for the rest of the year" when he sees that he's going to play with Pearson and Anderson.

Pearson is gone too for sure, even if it's for a 6th

 

[Tyson]

Pearson is gone too for sure, even if it's for a 6th

Yeah Pearson will go buy won't fetch much

 

[The Great Weal]

Pearson is gone too for sure, even if it's for a 6th

Nobody will want him, the guy sucks and has a high cap hit even at 50%

 

[Jaaanosik]

What I like most about Slaf's last couple of games on the 2nd line is that he's showing that he can be the same driving force away from Suzuki and Cole. Great sign

This is an initial sign Habs can build around him.

Bigger and fast and skilled is always better than smaller and fast and skilled.

You can teach, coach and develop speed and skill.
... but you cannot teach/coach size.