Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Jack Spider]

I don't know if most people feel that way but I've seen flashes of a 1st overall talent in Slaf. Like using his stick to push a teammate so that the other player can move faster I don't remember seen another play do that. He can look like the best player in practice. I went to a few games last year and some stuff you don't see on camera on TV that I'm not sure how to feel about is that if he has a bad shift or makes a mistake he kind of has a habit of looking up at the ceiling and showing disappointment.

 

[Mrb1p]

I don't know if most people feel that way but I've seen flashes of a 1st overall talent in Slaf. Like using his stick to push a teammate so that the other player can move faster I don't remember seen another play do that. He can look like the best player in practice. I went to a few games last year and some stuff you don't see on camera on TV that I'm not sure how to feel about is that if he has a bad shift or makes a mistake he kind of has a habit of looking up at the ceiling and showing disappointment.

Some teams have 1OAs where its a disappointment that his first Preseason goal is an empty netterband some teaks have 1OAs that their highlights is pushing a player with their sticks.

 

[habdynasty]

Ya Laff sucks

 

[Miller Time]

I heard them mention it in Marinaro’s show, but if Slaf can develop into a John Leclair type of power forward, that’d be pretty good. Leclair wasn’t a mean and bruising power forward but he was a PITA to deal with when he got going. Don’t see the goal scoring upside, but just saying I’d like to see Slaf develop into that style of power forward.

Gotta hope Slaf's career arc doesn't look like LeClair, this fan base would have a meltdown if Slaf takes until his D+7 year to hit double digit goals lol

LeClair didn't even hit NHL until D+6 (10 games in his D+5), and in that rookie season, produced at a similar rate of Slaf's "bad" D+1 year.

LeClair is a great reminder that patience can and does pay off in some cases... and of the major blunder it can be to cut the cord too soon on players with the rare package of size/skating/skill attributes that he, and Slaf, have.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Gotta hope Slaf's career arc doesn't look like LeClair, this fan base would have a meltdown if Slaf takes until his D+7 year to hit double digit goals lol

LeClair didn't even hit NHL until D+6 (10 games in his D+5), and in that rookie season, produced at a similar rate of Slaf's "bad" D+1 year.

LeClair is a great reminder that patience can and does pay off in some cases... and of the major blunder it can be to cut the cord too soon on players with the rare package of size/skating/skill attributes that he, and Slaf, have.

Leclair’s career took off immediately when he played with Lindros. From game one on he became one of the best scorers in the league. But that just shows you the power of having a superstar to help your other players.

 

[Jaynki]

Well I think it’s too early to know if he’ll be a star too.

I can see why we drafted him. As he gets stronger he’ll be tough to contain. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be a big scorer. Josh Anderson is big and fast but he’s not what I’d want from a top five pick let alone first overall.

As I said, I think he’s a bit of a mystery box. We’ll know more by the end of the year. People just need to chill out.

100% agree.

The faster we accept he is not in the Hughes/Matthews/MacKinnon category the better it is and its perfectly ok.

Getting your hands on such a player requires not only to tank, but pure luck. They are found at 1st overall in not every year (major luck) or you find them as gem later in a draft.(major luck too.)

I think Slafkovsky has tremendous potential and he plays 1000 NHL games for us, is a top line contributor and a top offensive player in his prime i think we will be very satisfied. A career similar to Rick Nash is very probable.

 

[Natey]

I knew Evans and RHP would come up, but offensively speaking, they aren’t very talented, they just work harder than everyone else and have a specific niche. Laval seems to focus on work ethic and defensive ability. But getting talented players to just work on their skills? Doesn’t seem to happen.

Super cool that you decided to talk about Evans and RHP in a thread that doesn't concern them. Save your opinions for their player threads.

 

[Captain Mountain]

100% agree.

The faster we accept he is not in the Hughes/Matthews/MacKinnon category the better it is and its perfectly ok.

Getting your hands on such a player requires not only to tank, but pure luck. They are found at 1st overall in not every year (major luck) or you find them as gem later in a draft.(major luck too.)

I think Slafkovsky has tremendous potential and he plays 1000 NHL games for us, is a top line contributor and a top offensive player in his prime i think we will be very satisfied. A career similar to Rick Nash is very probable.

As none of the players were or are projected to be a Hughes/Matthews/MacKinnon category player, I'm not sure why anyone would have that mindset.

 

[Jaynki]

Super cool that you decided to talk about Evans and RHP in a thread that doesn't concern them. Save your opinions for their player threads.

RHP/Evans were linked relative to Slaf and the quality of the AHL.

We cant divide our point in two threads unfortunately.

As none of the players were or are projected to be a Hughes/Matthews/MacKinnon category player, I'm not sure why anyone would have that mindset.

Yep. Doubt Wright and Cooley fits that category too.

 

[Miller Time]

Leclair’s career took off immediately when he played with Lindros. From game one on he became one of the best scorers in the league. But that just shows you the power of having a superstar to help your other players.

Indeed....

Though LeClair was an elite talent in his own right through his prime years. He was a top 10 league scorer through those years even though Lindros missed large chunks of them to injury.

But no doubt, playing with elite talent brings out the best in talented players.

Which makes it all the more puzzling that some fans don't get just how talent starved & injury affected the roster last year was...

 

[nhlfan9191]

Indeed....

Though LeClair was an elite talent in his own right through his prime years. He was a top 10 league scorer through those years even though Lindros missed large chunks of them to injury.

But no doubt, playing with elite talent brings out the best in talented players.

Which makes it all the more puzzling that some fans don't get just how talent starved & injury affected the roster last year was...

He’s not John Leclaire. My gosh. Lol if he becomes that I would be ecstatic.

 

[Captain Mountain]

RHP/Evans were linked relative to Slaf and the quality of the AHL.

We cant divide our point in two threads unfortunately.



Yep. Doubt Wright and Cooley fits that category too.

People also don't remember the narrative around Hughes up until midway through his 2nd pro season. I doubt Slaf ever ends up being close to being a Hughes-level player, but Montreal doesn't need Slaf to be close to the best version of himself next season, they need him to be that 3 seasons from now.

 

[Miller Time]

He’s not John Leclaire. My gosh. Lol if he becomes that I would be ecstatic.

No, he's better than LeClair was at the same age... much better

 

[Jaynki]

People also don't remember the narrative around Hughes up until midway through his 2nd pro season. I doubt Slaf ever ends up being close to being a Hughes-level player, but Montreal doesn't need Slaf to be close to the best version of himself next season, they need him to be that 3 seasons from now.

Personally, i think what would be more realistic for Slaf is a career a la Rick Nash. If we can get that out of him it will be a total success.

Nash was never the best player in the league nor even close to it. Was a terrific player for his team tho who bringed a lot, a lot to the table.

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

I don't know if most people feel that way but I've seen flashes of a 1st overall talent in Slaf. Like using his stick to push a teammate so that the other player can move faster I don't remember seen another play do that. He can look like the best player in practice. I went to a few games last year and some stuff you don't see on camera on TV that I'm not sure how to feel about is that if he has a bad shift or makes a mistake he kind of has a habit of looking up at the ceiling and showing disappointment.

Gretzky, Crosby, Lemieux, McDavid are all known for their stick pushes. You know you've hit the jackpot when your 1st overall pick nails a stick push on his d-man. We've got a superstar in the making.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Personally, i think what would be more realistic for Slaf is a career a la Rick Nash. If we can get that out of him it will be a total success.

Nash was never the best player in the league nor even close to it. Was a terrific player for his team tho who bringed a lot, a lot to the table.

Honestly, Rick Nash is very unrealistic. Injuries hurt him, but he has a Rocket (3 way tie) in his 2nd season and was one of the best goalscorers of the dead puck era.

If he can become Landeskog-esque (20ish goals, 50-60ish points while being one of the strongest players in the league), Montreal will be extremely happy. This is a rebuild, Montreal isn't putting all their eggs in one basket like they did with Glachenyuk or Kotkaniemi. They're acquiring young, high pedigree players trying to develop them, picked 5th OA in 2023 and will likely have top-10 picks in the next couple of drafts (this season Montreal projects to be really bad, they could even have a shot at 1st OA).

 

[ReHabs]

Personally, i think what would be more realistic for Slaf is a career a la Rick Nash. If we can get that out of him it will be a total success.

Nash was never the best player in the league nor even close to it. Was a terrific player for his team tho who bringed a lot, a lot to the table.

Would you believe me if I said Rick Nash Type as a Slaf comparison too? Sometime last summer when I was trying to figure him out. Playstyle not career expectations…

Big body but not a forechecker, not a pass first player by instinct but skilled, not a dipsy dangler but has a great shot, not two-way but definitely a first liner (ie can match up).

I also said maybe Iginla wasn’t a bad comparison but I think I was off on that. I definitely didn’t see any Jagr in him and still don’t. That comparison was just dumb.

 

[Jaynki]

Honestly, Rick Nash is very unrealistic. Injuries hurt him, but he has a Rocket (3 way tie) in his 2nd season and was one of the best goalscorers of the dead puck era.

If he can become Landeskog-esque (20ish goals, 50-60ish points while being one of the strongest players in the league), Montreal will be extremely happy. This is a rebuild, Montreal isn't putting all their eggs in one basket like they did with Glachenyuk or Kotkaniemi. They're acquiring young, high pedigree players trying to develop them, picked 5th OA in 2023 and will likely have top-10 picks in the next couple of drafts (this season Montreal projects to be really bad, they could even have a shot at 1st OA).

Well its true Nash exploded earlier.

Landeskog is another great comp as a career path.

If Slaf has 570 points after 700 games i think we will all be ecstatic. Not quite the offensive dynamo but still a core pieces nonetheless.

Would you believe me if I said Rick Nash Type as a Slaf comparison too? Sometime last summer when I was trying to figure him out. Playstyle not career expectations…

Big body but not a forechecker, not a pass first player by instinct but skilled, not a dipsy dangler but has a great shot, not two-way but definitely a first liner (ie can match up).

I also said maybe Iginla wasn’t a bad comparison but I think I was off on that. I definitely didn’t see any Jagr in him and still don’t. That comparison was just dumb.

From a pure stylistic point of view i don't think it mesh really well.

Iginla had more of a mean streak and was a pretty good scorer.

Mats Sundin winger?

I have been surprised by Slaf two way play honestly during training camp. Marian Hossa i think i can see some simarity

 

[le_sean]

Super cool that you decided to talk about Evans and RHP in a thread that doesn't concern them. Save your opinions for their player threads.

The subject was very clearly linked with Slafkovsky. It’s hilarious how upset you are.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He’s not John Leclaire. My gosh. Lol if he becomes that I would be ecstatic.

If he played with Lindros he might be. Seriously. Rob Brown put up 49 goals with Mario Lemieux.

If we had a superstar center then Slaf’s odds of success would go way up.

Leclair was a 20 goal 45 point player with us. With Lindros he becomes a 50 goal guy instantly.

 

[Andrei79]

If he played with Lindros he might be. Seriously. Rob Brown put up 49 goals with Mario Lemieux.

If we had a superstar center then Slaf’s odds of success would go way up.

Leclair was a 20 goal 45 point player with us. With Lindros he becomes a 50 goal guy instantly.

There was a thread about it on the history of hockey board and Leclairs scoring was just a little bit lower without Lindros. He was still elite. The rest suffered though.

I do agree though that playing with elite talent helps significantly. It helped LeClair, Jagr, Draisaitl and many others. Having Stone during Tkachuks first year helped him as well, as his overall game looked brutal his rookie year. Even if he was traded, playing a lot of games with talent like that helps your game, if you have the talent yourself.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

There was a thread about it on the history of hockey board and Leclairs scoring was just a little bit lower without Lindros. He was still elite. The rest suffered though.

Okay but that doesn’t change the fact the he immediately became a superstar with Lindros and wasn’t anything special beforehand.

 

[Andrei79]

Okay but that doesn’t change the fact the he immediately became a superstar with Lindros and wasn’t anything special beforehand.

Edited my post as you were posting this lol.

 

[Canadiens98]

Start him in the NHL with Monahan and Dach, if it's clear he's bringing the line down drop him to the AHL. No point in having him play more minutes on the 3rd or 4th line

 

[Habaddict]

Start him in the NHL with Monahan and Dach, if it's clear he's bringing the line down drop him to the AHL. No point in having him play more minutes on the 3rd or 4th line

I'd rather start him in AHL for maybe 40 games,
and the re-evaluate. I think he could improve a lot
in half a season of big minutes. Of course I wanted
that last season as well.