Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Andy]

I like how there is no panic in his game. He's pretty confident on the ice now.

I can't believe how heavy both shots were last night. The release on the wrister was lightning fast.

What's incredible is not his willingness and desire to learn, but the fact that he actually has the talent to implement all these lessons and changes into his game.

 

[yianik]

All I know is Slaf actually sniped 2 beautiful goals. First time I have seen him truly release his shot. Usually it's been a tip or banging in a rebound.

He has a real good shot. If he now has the confidence to shoot, we could see his game take the next step.

 

[OldCraig71]

Mike Johnson mentioned how much velocity Slaf had from his shot without really leaning into it which is a testament to his strength. The second goal was a laser, must have been near 100 mph and once he can get his shot off quicker he will be a force, probably a 30-goal player that also plays a strong two-way game.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I like how there is no panic in his game. He's pretty confident on the ice now.

I can't believe how heavy both shots were last night. The release on the wrister was lightning fast.

What's incredible is not his willingness and desire to learn, but the fact that he actually has the talent to implement all these lessons and changes into his game.

What impressed me almost as much as his shooting and calmness with the puck was his dedication to defensive hockey. The play he made behind his own net to be first on a loose puck and willingness to take a heavy check along the boards to make a play when the game was still on the line was, very impressive.

Each game, Slafkovsky is showing that he was the class of his draft year and is quickly becoming, at the age of 19, one of the go-to players on this talent challenged team.

A lot of people here are starting to warm up their dinner of crow.

 

[nhlfan9191]

 

[PhysicX]

I'll also have to eat crow soon. I was super enthralled by the pick, but thought we'd be messing up his development by keeping him in the NHL.

I'm extremely glad to be wrong on that part from the looks of things. It's not just his production that has increased, but his play with and without the puck that's improved leaps and bounds. He reminds me at times of Lehkonen on the forecheck. I couldn't be happier we finally got a first round pick right (*crosses fingers*).

 

[Tyson]

I'll also have to eat crow soon. I was super enthralled by the pick, but thought we'd be messing up his development by keeping him in the NHL.

I'm extremely glad to be wrong on that part from the looks of things. It's not just his production that has increased, but his play with and without the puck that's improved leaps and bounds. He reminds me at times of Lehkonen on the forecheck. I couldn't be happier we finally got a first round pick right (*crosses fingers*).

You weren't alone in your initial assessment. I was clamoring for him to be sent to Laval. Habs drafted the right player 1OA.

 

[CapSpace]

So where is that 'Slafkovsky is the worst 1oa ever' thread?

Punkass bit** haters.

 

[Jaynki]

So where is that 'Slafkovsky is the worst 1oa ever' thread?

Punkass bit** haters.

"Would have been 10OV pick in 2023"

I swear to god i had so many posters arguing to me that Roy was better than Slafkovsky in the first few weeks of the season.

So many spectacular takes.

I will say what i screamed all summer, just don't bet against this type of talent at 19YO and expand your horizon. Slaf is in his window of maximum growth. By wanting to look like the most intelligent person in the room, it will yield the absolute opposite.

 

[BLONG7]

It's hard to beat the complaining habit.

At least now, we can look forward.....onward and upward.
There is a plan this time.....

So where is that 'Slafkovsky is the worst 1oa ever' thread?

Punkass bit** haters.

Haters...............brutal.
The kid is a work in progress, but it's great to see some light at the end of the tunnel.......
He has had a nice 15-18 game stretch now...............great news for the habs, and our fans!

 

[BLONG7]

Mike Johnson mentioned how much velocity Slaf had from his shot without really leaning into it which is a testament to his strength. The second goal was a laser, must have been near 100 mph and once he can get his shot off quicker he will be a force, probably a 30-goal player that also plays a strong two-way game.

When CC is not open, Mr Matheson has to start hitiing this kid, and as we saw, his one timer is a beauty............great to see the kid grow some confidence!

Where is ReHabs?

Busy trying to change his username....

 

[Jaaanosik]

Mike Johnson mentioned how much velocity Slaf had from his shot without really leaning into it which is a testament to his strength. The second goal was a laser, must have been near 100 mph and once he can get his shot off quicker he will be a force, probably a 30-goal player that also plays a strong two-way game.

Personally, I would not put any boundaries how many goals Slaf can score in a season.
I enjoy what he does and time will tell.

 

[BLONG7]

View attachment 815839

Crow..............is best served, on the main board!! LOL....................that said the thread would probably get shut down, like the Monahan is worth a 1st thread!! LOL.

 

[Frank Drebin]

I have gone on the record that I was one of the most pessimistic of the entire fanbase on this pick and am sincerely happy to be proven wrong on that.

Since we're eating and serving crow, I did say that it didn't matter whether slaf played in the nhl or ahl or Europe, we just had to wait till he turned into whatever he turned into.

Looks like last season didn't ruin him after all.

 

[Jaaanosik]

I have gone on the record that I was one of the most pessimistic of the entire fanbase on this pick and am sincerely happy to be proven wrong on that.

Since we're eating and serving crow, I did say that it didn't matter whether slaf played in the nhl or ahl or Europe, we just had to wait till he turned into whatever he turned into.

Looks like last season didn't ruin him after all.

Your crow can be handled by your avatar.

 

[habsterr]

God damn, when did Slaf learn to shoot the puck like that?

 

[Egresch]

What's incredible is not his willingness and desire to learn, but the fact that he actually has the talent to implement all these lessons and changes into his game.

I am watching Slaf since he was 16 and this was the most common thing when hockey people were describing Slaf. He is like a sponge, he soaks the information, practices and all of a sudden you see him perform it in the game. Just like Dr.Shot practice month ago
https://twitter.com/EricEngels/status/1744420001614901680?s=20

 

[yianik]

There are definite improvements in Slafs game and I'm hopeful.

 

[417]

I like how there is no panic in his game. He's pretty confident on the ice now.

I can't believe how heavy both shots were last night. The release on the wrister was lightning fast.

What's incredible is not his willingness and desire to learn, but the fact that he actually has the talent to implement all these lessons and changes into his game.

Developing in the NHL is not for everyone, but the Montreal Canadiens staff clearly and correctly identified that Slaf had the physical and mental maturity to handle it. He's shown that he's able to quickly (though maybe not quick enough for some folks) implement what he's being taught and apply it on the ice.

That in itself is a tremendous skill.

I keep saying it, but we're seeing just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

If he can keep ripping one timers like that it'll be huge for our powerplay in the future. Teams overplay Caufield since he's our only shooting threat, but if Slaf can become a threat as well it'll make our powerplay much more difficult to defend.

After a slow start, he's been playing at a 47 point pace his last 35 games and 59 point pace over his last 21 games.

 

[417]

View attachment 815839

Even the pros gets it wrong sometimes....

 

[Andy]

If he can keep ripping one timers like that it'll be huge for our powerplay in the future. Teams overplay Caufield since he's our only shooting threat, but if Slaf can become a threat as well it'll make our powerplay much more difficult to defend.

After a slow start, he's been playing at a 47 point pace his last 35 games and 59 point pace over his last 21 games.

His overall PPG is down simply because those 10-11 games with Anderson were brutal. That guy simply couldn't finish. Even Newhook starting producing again when they were split.

I distinctly recall Slaf setting up Anderson 4-5 times every game. It was frustrating as hell. Also, we forget that Slaf was only put on PP1 well into the season.

On a better offensive team, I think Slaf would have 30 points already this season.

My initial expectations for Slaf this season was 10g and 30-35points. He's right on track. The development curve has been good.

 

[waitin425]

God damn, when did Slaf learn to shoot the puck like that?

There was a video a month or two back of him working with the Shot Dr. He was working on receiving a pass and quick release. Clearly this has been a focus for the coaching staff for a while now, and it is beginning to pay off. That toe drag quick release last night was beauty and the slapper was awesome too. Big body, big strength.....heavy heavy shot.

Slaf returning from his All-Star break....

 

[sampollock]

Slaf is becoming a man.

 

[waitin425]

Slaf is becoming a man.