Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[ReHabs]

It's clear at this stage with all the things you have said. You will look for things to pump/defend Cooley with and look for things to deflate/criticize with Slaf.

You have a pre determined agenda on this bud.

I mean, I agree with you that they cannot be compared so easily. My pre-determined agenda is that you shouldn't draft a player who couldn't score more than 10pts in his draft year but if you do, you shouldn't rush him to the NHL, and if you do rush him to the NHL you shouldn't leave him there.

But it's in the past. I refuse to accept the notion that the 2022 draft was a crapshoot. They had all season to prepare and get it right no matter the alleged "weakness" of the draft. You simply cannot get the 1OA wrong.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I mean, I agree with you that they cannot be compared so easily. My pre-determined agenda is that you shouldn't draft a player who couldn't score more than 10pts in his draft year but if you do, you shouldn't rush him to the NHL, and if you do rush him to the NHL you shouldn't leave him there.

But it's in the past. I refuse to accept the notion that the 2022 draft was a crapshoot. They had all season to prepare and get it right no matter the alleged "weakness" of the draft. You simply cannot get the 1OA wrong.

I don't think it was a reach. The issue was the 5 guys were a waive and Slaf was producing very well in international tournaments. I'm pretty sure the scouts were watching the WC's very closely. It wasn't just the Habs. Many rumors of other teams in on Slaf as well.

I don't think this is a scouting problem. It's a shitty luck issue. Every time we have a top 5 pick, we end up in the waive of talent area. Ever since the Price Draft.

I'm not betting against Bob M. He clearly said that draft was more like 2nd tier type talent with the chance one or two of them are top of the line-up talent. It's tracking that way bud.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

It's clear at this stage with all the things you have said. You will look for things to pump/defend Cooley with and look for things to deflate/criticize with Slaf.

You have a pre determined agenda on this bud. I'm not saying you will be wrong for sure on Slaf but I just personally think it's premature.

He doesn't have an agenda, but an opinion, which imo, he took a lot of time to cultivate.

Stop trying to ad hominem and paint him as a boogeyman figure in lieu of arguments. It makes you look like you have little to offer as actual counter-arguments.

 

[Pazucha]

Slaf with Pearson 2on2

Slaf goes to the bench instead of joining Newhook in 2vs3

Slaf draws two opponents towards him and creates a good shooting chance for Pearson.

Slaf is not in a position to get a pass from Newhook. Slaf lets the pass slip to Pearson.

Slaf with a great pass to Gallagher on the PP

Slaf line had one of the longest shifts in the o-zone. Unfortunately penalty gets called.

Slaf gets his first 4v4 shift in his NHL career and almost creates a scoring chance for Newhook.

(PS: i think it was his first 4v4 shift correct me if I am wrong)

 

[Hope Of Glory]

Let's talk specifics for once

What I like so far this year:
- Carrying the puck with speed. With his frame and hands, opposing teams have to respect him. Very few players on the roster save for Dach can do it that way.
- Puck protection/retrieval/cycling: when he's in a position to do either of those, he's hard to stop. He comes out with the puck more often than not in what should be 50/50 plays that seem to go 60-70% of the time in his favor.
- Makes some nice high IQ passes every game, although not regularly enough.
- Not as lost defensively as last year.
- Flashes some really nice hands from time to time. Again, with his speed and size, that could end up making him rrally dangerous both on the rush and on the cycle.

What he needs to improve:
- Balance. Young guy, shouldn't be a problem with time and improved strenght (somehow still looks lanky even at 220-230 lbs).
- His release. Good shot but he's either scared of using it or to slow to get it off most of the time. Has to find a way to use it more regularly.
- General positioning, seems unsure if he's at the right place a lot of the time even though he often is. Makes him look kinda lost sometimes. Should come with time.
- Use his frame more. He's already pretty good at retrieving and protecting the puck but he seems a bit tentative still. It's better than last year already though. He's a monster on the forecheck, once he figures this out he'll be hard to contain. This might relate to the previous issue though, which is positioning.
- Filtering out the garbage plays. Still tries to pass the puck too quickly without assessing the situation but also sometimes takes too long to decide what to do. He's able to find the inbetween and make good plays from time to time but he has too do it more regularly. With time we'll know if it's the lack of experience or lack of IQ. I suspect it's the former but we'll see.

Globally, he's a more interesting player than last year and we see interesting flashes way more often. Playing with skilled guys probably helps but he's generating chances for them. He's definitely not a passenger.

Still really, really raw. We probably won't see his peak before 3-5 years still. 35ish points this year would be a decent enoigh improvement and would set the table for a 50 pts season next year. With the injuries, I'd also like to see him earn top PP minutes by the end pf the year.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I'd personally feel better if you understood development by increments, but you obviously don't, which leaves way for ridiculous posts like the one I'm replying to.

I actually do kn ow all about develiopment by increments, partikcularly for elite athletes. I have done training in athlete development and am certified at a national level in baseball and volleyball coaching. I have also coached hockey.

I am familiar with all of the issues with respect to developing athletes.

The organizqation I founded and ran developed almost 100 baseball players who made it to Major Junior, at least a dozen who got drafted and a few that made the major leagues.

This doesn't mean that all my evaluations will be correct, but i have a better chance of being right most often, compared to those without my background and experience.

On the other hand, when it comes to the proper technique to skate faster, I am a complete amateur, lol.

 

[Jaynki]

I only think the Habs will do this if he fades or moves backwards in his momentum/confidence. The time to play him in Laval was last season. He's clearly showing progress in his 2nd season so I think MSL is going to support his momentum/confidence in NHL games as a priority. Far too many fans looking at goals and assists and MSL is looking at how he plays without the puck. He has skill and a very good shot so the goals/assists will come but playing the right way is the focus right now.

Not sure how long this lasts but Slaf's takeaways/60 is very good. Him and Evans are a clear notch ahead of the entire team in that area. A stat I will continue to monitor as the season moves deeper. I believe Slaf's takeaways/60 (4.07) is 35th in the entire NHL so far. Yeah, it's early but a good sign.

Are you sure?

Imo there is so much he would do down there. Armia is becoming prolific again.

I think that playing 20 min a night and PP1 with Maillet and Andersson would make him a lot better.

/S!

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I actually do kn ow all about develiopment by increments, partikcularly for elite athletes. I have done training in athlete development and am certified at a national level in baseball and volleyball coaching. I have also coached hockey.

I am familiar with all of the issues with respect to developing athletes.

The organizqation I founded and ran developed almost 100 baseball players who made it to Major Junior, at least a dozen who got drafted and a few that made the major leagues.

This doesn't mean that all my evaluations will be correct, but i have a better chance of being right most often, compared to those without my background and experience.

On the other hand, when it comes to the proper technique to skate faster, I am a complete amateur, lol.

Baseball is not hockey. It's actually completely different, not being a static field sport.

There's a pace to follow and objects and player positioning to track at all times. AHL greatly helps in that respect, conditioning the player to higher speeds and behaviors than other men's league and junior, while being a notch lower than the NHL. This eye tracking and spatial awareness is fundamental to player growth. Skipping this stage might mean more adaptation time, or limited adaptation.

 

[Miller Time]

Are you sure?

Imo there is so much he would do down there. Armia is becoming prolific again.

I think that playing 20 min a night and PP1 with Maillet and Andersson would make him a lot better.

/S!

I think the Armia example shows the opposite, personally... Unless you think Armia doing well in the AHL will translate to him finally bringing a consistent game to the NHL

For an athlete with the skill & physical talent Armia possesses, not unlike Slaf, it's easy to excel at the lesser pace of the A... And, easier to do so without the same attention to detail.

For Slaf, playing there very likely would lead to big production, but any confidence gains could also offset by developing bad habits because of what he can get away with thanks to his unique tool set.

He seems to be playing with increased confidence & effectiveness at the NHL level. I see zero value in sending him to a lesser league at this point.

As Axl said, "All we need is just a little patience"

Future is bright

 

[Miller Time]

Baseball is not hockey. It's actually completely different, not being a static field sport.

There's a pace to follow and objects and player positioning to track at all times. AHL greatly helps in that respect, conditioning the player to higher speeds and behaviors than other men's league and junior, while being a notch lower than the NHL. This eye tracking and spatial awareness is fundamental to player growth. Skipping this stage might mean more adaptation time, or limited adaptation.

Different. Absolutely. But the conclusion you draw I don't think is accurate.

I think it's actually the opposite, if you are comparing which sport requires longer time & more incremental progress to develop the requisite fine visual adaptations to excel at the highest level. Hitting is a fundamental skill that relies primarily on visual acuity. In hockey, only the goalie is as reliant on that aspect to impact success.

There's a reason why pro baseball has an exponentially larger demographic of individuals with a specific visual trait that is extremely rare in the general population (can't remember the name of it, David Epstein details it quite well with n the sport gene... Great read).
tracking the ball is far easier with the visual acuity this trait provides, biasing youth with it to earlier success & thus social reinforcements that open up a clearer pathway to progressively better training/coaching environments.

A skater has a far broader range of attributes that they can rely on to be successful at the highest level. Spatial awareness doesn't require nearly the same dependence on fine visual acuity as hitting, or tracking & stopping a puck.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Are you sure?

Imo there is so much he would do down there. Armia is becoming prolific again.

I think that playing 20 min a night and PP1 with Maillet and Andersson would make him a lot better.

/S!

Armia situation does not apply to Slaf IMO. AHL is a kick in the ass for Armia and AHL for Slaf could be deflating to the modest improvements he is going through in his 2nd NHL season.

Would he produce more playing 20 min's a game in the AHL? Sure. But he's still got to learn how to play against the men in the NHL. Are we trying to develop a offensive powerhouse or are we trying to develop a complete 200' game where offensive production comes after he is comfortable playing with NHL men? I think the development strategy changes from prospect to prospect. Also different for centers, defense, and wingers.

I'll trust MSL on this one. I personally would have not had him start in the NHL last season but they played their cards. It's his 2nd season now and I see improvements so I don't see a need to demote... not yet.

 

[Tyson]

I watched the Sick Podcast last night and while I am not a fan of Marinaro in any way I do enjoy some of his guests not named Engels (boring, boring tone).
He had Craig Button on who I actually like. He had some interesting takes on how Slafkovsky is being developed. Pretty eye opening stuff.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I watched the Sick Podcast last night and while I am not a fan of Marinaro in any way I do enjoy some of his guests not named Engels (boring, boring tone).
He had Craig Button on who I actually like. He had some interesting takes on how Slafkovsky is being developed. Pretty eye opening stuff.

I don't mind Button myself. He's got a bad reputation to some but I think he knows more than most "insiders" or pretend managers.

I do see improvements with Slaf this season. It's early but you can see him make better plays and be in better position without the puck.

 

[Tyson]

I don't mind Button myself. He's got a bad reputation to some but I think he knows more than most "insiders" or pretend managers.

I do see improvements with Slaf this season. It's early but you can see him make better plays and be in better position without the puck.

While I see improvements I think we as fans have set the bar awfully low for Slaf. We are celebrating basic hockey stuff like positioning. As a 1OA shouldn't he at least already display that?

I hope he pans out, I want to see this kid become dominant. Sadly Button thinks his upside is a 25/25 guy. While that is respectable I am hoping for more out of this kid.

One thing for sure IMO, they are not developing him the right way. Again, this is my opinion which means nothing.

 

[Miller Time]

While I see improvements I think we as fans have set the bar awfully low for Slaf. We are celebrating basic hockey stuff like positioning. As a 1OA shouldn't he at least already display that?

I hope he pans out, I want to see this kid become dominant. Sadly Button thinks his upside is a 25/25 guy. While that is respectable I am hoping for more out of this kid.

One thing for sure IMO, they are not developing him the right way. Again, this is my opinion which means nothing.

The 1OA expectations we have as fans is ultimately irrelevant to evaluating the player, and his progression (or lack thereof).

It sucks, to be sure, as it's more "fun" to enjoy a generational type talent that steps into stardom on day one.... But that emotional response is what clouds the assessment of how the hockey player Slafkovsky is playing & progressing.

Remove those expectations (as non Habs fans can more readily do) and evaluate him as he is, and you get the assessments we see from the likes of Button or the recent re-draft article that sees him as still the top player from that draft.

I hope he puts it all together and proves the team right in picking him first. But if a few other prospects from that draft do go on to become better players in their prime then he achieves in his, so be it. That draft did not have a Bedard, McDavid, MacKinnon lock at #1OA, that's not his fault, nor the teams

 

[Tyson]

The 1OA expectations we have as fans is ultimately irrelevant to evaluating the player, and his progression (or lack thereof).

It sucks, to be sure, as it's more "fun" to enjoy a generational type talent that steps into stardom on day one.... But that emotional response is what clouds the assessment of how the hockey player Slafkovsky is playing & progressing.

Remove those expectations (as non Habs fans can more readily do) and evaluate him as he is, and you get the assessments we see from the likes of Button or the recent re-draft article that sees him as still the top player from that draft.

I hope he puts it all together and proves the team right in picking him first. But if a few other prospects from that draft do go on to become better players in their prime then he achieves in his, so be it. That draft did not have a Bedard, McDavid, MacKinnon lock at #1OA, that's not his fault, nor the teams

Well said but I still think a monumental mistake is being made with his development.

I really hope they know what they are doing.

When I watch Slaf my initial hope on every shift is that he doesn't get his head knocked off.
In all of my years watching hockey I can't recall every seeing one player get hammered like he did last year. That tells me he didn't remotely belong on an NHL rink.

 

[Miller Time]

Well said but I still think a monumental mistake is being made with his development.

I really hope they know what they are doing.

When I watch Slaf my initial hope on every shift is that he doesn't get his head knocked off.
In all of my years watching hockey I can't recall every seeing one player get hammered like he did last year. That tells me he didn't remotely belong on an NHL rink.

Did you not see Gally's first few seasons

Kidding aside, I get your point. I don't agree mainly because I don't see regression or increased timidity from Slaf (which would be signs he was she'll shocked by the experience)... I see progression and hear maturing confidence from his interview sound bytes. That gives me confidence that he's on the right track. The injury & lost game time is the bigger setback, but I don't think it's fair to say that he'd have avoided that in the AHL... Heck, Heineman got taken out by a ref last week

 

[Tyson]

Did you not see Gally's first few seasons

Kidding aside, I get your point. I don't agree mainly because I don't see regression or increased timidity from Slaf (which would be signs he was she'll shocked by the experience)... I see progression and hear maturing confidence from his interview sound bytes. That gives me confidence that he's on the right track. The injury & lost game time is the bigger setback, but I don't think it's fair to say that he'd have avoided that in the AHL... Heck, Heineman got taken out by a ref last week

Watching how Armia has looked in the AHL I think Slaf would have done the same. Jiricek and Nemec both excelled as 18 year Olds in the A last season and are now ahead of Slaf Development wise.

 

[Habs Halifax]

While I see improvements I think we as fans have set the bar awfully low for Slaf. We are celebrating basic hockey stuff like positioning. As a 1OA shouldn't he at least already display that?

I hope he pans out, I want to see this kid become dominant. Sadly Button thinks his upside is a 25/25 guy. While that is respectable I am hoping for more out of this kid.

One thing for sure IMO, they are not developing him the right way. Again, this is my opinion which means nothing.

My personal bar is in line with Bob M narrative pre draft... The top 5 were likely to be 2nd tier talent. I do think the "1st OA" narrative has people a little on the confused/distracted side of things.

The break out type season right away was something we were all wondering about heading into last year but it was not in the cards. We have another KK on your hands. Might be as good, worse, or better but the main point is there requires a fair amount of development time with men.

I personally would have not started him in the NHL last year. Do I think this is going to ruin him? NO. I think players who develop well (regardless of time), end up the ones who are obsessed with improving.

I'm a MSL supporter. I think if anybody gets the best out of him, he will.

 

[Tyson]

My personal bar is in line with Bob M narrative pre draft... The top 5 were likely to be 2nd tier talent. I do think the "1st OA" narrative has people a little on the confused/distracted side of things.

The break out type season right away was something we were all wondering about heading into last year but it was not in the cards. We have another KK on your hands. Might be as good, worse, or better but the main point is there requires a fair amount of development time with men.

I personally would have not started him in the NHL last year. Do I think this is going to ruin him? NO. I think players who develop well (regardless of time), end up the ones who are obsessed with improving.

I'm a MSL supporter. I think if anybody gets the best out of him, he will.

I hope you are right. The last thing this team can afford is another Patrik Stefan pick.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I hope you are right. The last thing this team can afford is another Patrik Stefan pick.

Yeah, I think we all see another potential KK but some are focusing/talking about it more than others.

At the very least, we should be getting a top 6F with that top 5 pick. Busting on that will hurt. Personally, I'm not going to focus on that because it's living life with negative thoughts. Not how I live my life anyways.

It's too early to pretend like we know one way or another.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Did you not see Gally's first few seasons

Kidding aside, I get your point. I don't agree mainly because I don't see regression or increased timidity from Slaf (which would be signs he was she'll shocked by the experience)... I see progression and hear maturing confidence from his interview sound bytes. That gives me confidence that he's on the right track. The injury & lost game time is the bigger setback, but I don't think it's fair to say that he'd have avoided that in the AHL... Heck, Heineman got taken out by a ref last week

I see it the same. Improvements. Some fans want more faster but that does not appear to be at play. Loosing Dach as a top 2C hurts IMO. Slaf needs to work with a real top 2C with skill and someone who can take the burden of the puck possession area.

We got to learn to live without Dach for more than a year. Slaf does as well. He should take it as a challenge but how he comprehends that is difficult because some players will try to play outside of their game.

Talent needs to play with talent and this really does apply with Slaf IMO. Maybe we should be trying Slaf with Caufield/Suzuki and just live with the growing pains. Looks like another meh season in terms of injuries derailing things.

 

[Tyson]

Yeah, I think we all see another potential KK but some are focusing/talking about it more than others.

At the very least, we should be getting a top 6F with that top 5 pick. Busting on that will hurt. Personally, I'm not going to focus on that because it's living life with negative thoughts. Not how I live my life anyways.

It's too early to pretend like we know one way or another.

It's just hockey, doesn't affect my life. I just love the game, the Habs and the conversation.

 

[Habs Halifax]

It's just hockey, doesn't affect my life. I just love the game, the Habs and the conversation.

You're definitely in my top 10 favorite posters to talk hockey with. You don't get upset over the stupid stuff like some others do.

 

[LesCanadiens]

Well said but I still think a monumental mistake is being made with his development.

I really hope they know what they are doing.

When I watch Slaf my initial hope on every shift is that he doesn't get his head knocked off.
In all of my years watching hockey I can't recall every seeing one player get hammered like he did last year. That tells me he didn't remotely belong on an NHL rink.

Joe Thornton got only 7pts in 55 games in his 1st season. He looked totally lost and couldn't stay on his feet. I remember Bruins and their fans getting mocked at the start. Slaf outplayed him in his first season. That's not to say Slaf will end-up with a career as good as Thorntons turned out to be, but simply that Slaf's NHL debut isn't that unusual and doesn't guarantee anything.