Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[salbutera]

Matthew Knies was a Hobey Baker Grand Finalist 5 months ago, and is on pace for zero points this year.

Leaf Panic Time

One can only hope…. I’d gladly overpay . Knies is exactly what Suzuki / Caufield need

 

[Trabdy2]

We all know Slafkovsky is still learning positioning and where to go on the ice in NA and in the NHL.

Outside of that, there's two other things other than physical maturation.

One is utilizing his frame to get inside and get into traffic areas. I know this comes with maturation and confidence, but he needs to get off the one hand on the stick and going around the perimeter, keep the feet moving and protect the puck.

The other issue, which is the biggest correction and it's something that I've been noticing a lot more on what separates players. It's his first touch. How clean you can catch the puck and the first touch you make with it, often sets you up for success, or puts you behind the eight ball.

He needs to be better controlling the first touch and putting that first touch into a space where he can make a play or use his physical gifts.

I absolutely agree with the point about him trying to get to the inside traffic areas. I was watching the Flyers-Oilers game yesterday and I was impressed by how confident the Flyers forwards were with trying to frequently get to the inside on the Oilers D. It didn't work every time, but they caused a lot of problems and scrambles for the Oilers and generated a lot of chances that way. This is the type of thing that I'd like to see from Slafkovsky with his frame and reach, being able to get the puck to threatening places on the inside.

 

[waitin425]

One can only hope…. I’d gladly overpay . Knies is exactly what Suzuki / Caufield need

Not to hijack the Slaf thread. But what would your overpay look like? Gotta think Leafs want one of Guhle/Rein/Mailloux/Hutson in return.

I'd seemingly offer them Harris + the worse of our 2025 1st rounders.

 

[Jaynki]

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.

100% agree with you.

I was sarcastic in my quoted post.

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

100% agree.

I.was sarcastic in my previous post.

Slaf has nothing to do in the AHL.

 

[salbutera]

Not to hijack the Slaf thread. But what would your overpay look like? Gotta think Leafs want one of Guhle/Rein/Mailloux/Hutson in return.

I'd seemingly offer them Harris + the worse of our 2025 1st rounders.

Savard + Dvorak (50%) + Harris + 1st rounder (2025 top-10 protected) for Knies + Murray’s contract

Don’t think Leafs would have any interest

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Honestly I had never really focused on it until I got back into gentleman's hockey (I'm a goalie) and the difference between players who can do something out there and those who generally struggle, it was always hitting me how they receive the pass and make that first touch.

Like you said, it created space, it opened up plays.. but when you see a fumbled pass reception, or making the wrong first touch or move, it was all problem solving and all this work just to retain possession, let alone make a play.

I mentioned this in an earlier post when describing some of the nuances that separate Joshua Roy from some of our other prospects. The previous poster attributed it to hockey iq which is partially correct but also falls under hands/puck skill. The combination of having a deft touch and high IQ is potent as not only does the player know how the play is evolving before others, they also have more time and space to exploit this advantage.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I'd rather just get Wild Bill Nylander than knies personally

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

We all know Slafkovsky is still learning positioning and where to go on the ice in NA and in the NHL.

Outside of that, there's two other things other than physical maturation.

One is utilizing his frame to get inside and get into traffic areas. I know this comes with maturation and confidence, but he needs to get off the one hand on the stick and going around the perimeter, keep the feet moving and protect the puck.

The other issue, which is the biggest correction and it's something that I've been noticing a lot more on what separates players. It's his first touch. How clean you can catch the puck and the first touch you make with it, often sets you up for success, or puts you behind the eight ball.

He needs to be better controlling the first touch and putting that first touch into a space where he can make a play or use his physical gifts.

Agreed on all points.

I think he needs to focus on creating his own shot and being ready to shoot when he gets the puck. With Dach at center he was able to do this as Dach was controlling the play and making space for Slaf. He has to keep it simple and drive to the dirty areas as his IQ/vision is still quite poor and when he tries to be a playmaker he just forces passes into traffic or to nobody at all. Juraj has to be more decisive and aggressive with his play and as you pointed out he has to collect the puck more cleanly which is partially related to him not being aware enough and partially a skill that he needs to practice more.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I'd rather just get Wild Bill Nylander than knies personally

Hell no!

Nylander is asking for a ton of money and turns 28 this season....he does not fit in to our competitive window as I don't think he will age well between the ages of 32-35.

We need another big, skilled forward imo and Knies fits the bill in every manner. I would have to give consideration to a Hutson for Knies trade if the Leafs were interested tbh

Slaf has a ton of upside if he can ever figure out how to play the game at the NHL level. Dach is going to be a legit 1st line center if his recovery goes well and adding another big, skilled forward to the top six must be a priority for this organization.

 

[River Meadow]

Slaf has nothing to do in the AHL.

Of course.

Slaf dominated Liiga.

He would do the same in the AHL.

No point for him to play in that garbage league at all.

 

[nhlfan9191]

100% agree with you.

I was sarcastic in my quoted post.



100% agree.

I.was sarcastic in my previous post.

Slaf has nothing to do in the AHL.

Slafkovsky has lots he could do in the AHL. Wracking up minutes, points, and experience in a pro league for the first time in his career being just a few. This can’t be a serious post.

 

[River Meadow]

Slafkovsky has lots he could do in the AHL. Wracking up minutes, points, and experience in a pro league for the first time in his career being just a few. This can’t be a serious post.

But Slafkovsky is the Habs 'INSERT NUMBER HERE' best player don't-cha-kno?

Which means he must play in the NHL.

 

[sandviper]

Seems like everybody has a different idea of what Slaf needs to learn — from breathing correctly to stamina to hockey related aspects where everybody has a different criticism.

If he were producing or had a history of producing it would make more sense, but he’s not producing and he has so many different areas of improvement.

Is this typical commentary for a top drafted player who started his D+1 in the NHL?

Be honest.

Jack Hughes. Always produced prior to the NHL, but struggled as we know early in his career. The coach of the NJD at the time said Hughes needed to get stronger, work on his physical strength. He was criticized for his defensive play as well and needed to get that to at least a serviceable level of player.

Hughes’ metrics were terrible early on, but the GM committed to building around him. The Devils were further in their rebuild and were still terrible so if Habs fans are mad now, imagine if this was a half decade into a rebuild like Jersey?

Typical commentary? No, but it happens.

I do think it‘s clear Slaf has improved considerably since last year. I also think he should had gone to the AHL last season but there’s no time machine and it is what it is. It’s about improving a little every day but if people are expecting 20+ goals and 40+ points in his D+1 season, that isn’t going to happen. Doesn’t mean he isn’t improving though.

 

[ReHabs]

Jack Hughes. Always produced prior to the NHL, but struggled as we know early in his career. The coach of the NJD at the time said Hughes needed to get stronger, work on his physical strength. He was criticized for his defensive play as well and needed to get that to at least a serviceable level of player.

Hughes’ metrics were terrible early on, but the GM committed to building around him. The Devils were further in their rebuild and were still terrible so if Habs fans are mad now, imagine if this was a half decade into a rebuild like Jersey?

Typical commentary? No, but it happens.

I do think it‘s clear Slaf has improved considerably since last year. I also think he should had gone to the AHL last season but there’s no time machine and it is what it is. It’s about improving a little every day but if people are expecting 20+ goals and 40+ points in his D+1 season, that isn’t going to happen. Doesn’t mean he isn’t improving though.

Not comparable, Hughes’ analytics were good enough for a rookie to merit him staying up. Slaf’s were bad. Hughes’ pedigree was great, Slaf’s was up-and-down. 10/10 teams would take Jack over Juraj at any point in their D or D+1 year.

This season is still young. If he’s actually improved then that is great, but he had a nifty quick pass for the apple in GP1 and nothing net good in GP2 and GP3, so I think this is more typical optimism in place of realism.

Some of the voices who insisted he’s improved also insist he has to stay up. They’re biased in favour of not being wrong about how Hughes has handled Slaf. Maybe he hasn’t sufficiently improved. How about that?

 

[sandviper]

Not comparable, Hughes’ analytics were good enough for a rookie to merit him staying up. Slaf’s were bad. Hughes’ pedigree was great, Slaf’s was up-and-down. 10/10 teams would take Jack over Juraj at any point in their D or D+1 year.

This season is still young. If he’s actually improved then that is great, but he had a nifty quick pass for the apple in GP1 and nothing net good in GP2 and GP3, so I think this is more typical optimism in place of realism.

Some of the voices who insisted he’s improved also insist he has to stay up. They’re biased in favour of not being wrong about how Hughes has handled Slaf. Maybe he hasn’t sufficiently improved. How about that?

Not sure about that. Overall, I’m good with how Hughes is handling the rebuild but think Slaf could still benefit from some time in the A.

It’s the same as people proclaiming Roy as the top prospect after 4 games in the A.

End of the day, development isn’t linear nor is it the same player to player.

 

[Jaynki]

Of course.

Slaf dominated Liiga.

He would do the same in the AHL.

No point for him to play in that garbage league at all.

No really,

Instead of watching him playing 2nd line and PP2, racking 30-40 points in the NHL.

I would rather see him have 100 points in the AHL with Maillet and Andersson.

Surely that will make him a better player in the long run.

 

[NotProkofievian]

No really,

Instead of watching him playing 2nd line and PP2, racking 30-40 points in the NHL.

I would rather see him have 100 points in the AHL with Maillet and Andersson.

Surely that will make him a better player in the long run.

If Slaf gets 40 points this season I will buy his jersey. If he gets 0.5ppg for basically a full season I'll stf up forever.

 

[Gustave]

I mentioned this in an earlier post when describing some of the nuances that separate Joshua Roy from some of our other prospects. The previous poster attributed it to hockey iq which is partially correct but also falls under hands/puck skill. The combination of having a deft touch and high IQ is potent as not only does the player know how the play is evolving before others, they also have more time and space to exploit this advantage.

While we are at it; he keeps his head up while controling the puck and skating with it. I love that trait.

 

[Jaynki]

If Slaf gets 40 points this season I will buy his jersey. If he gets 0.5ppg for basically a full season I'll stf up forever.

We need a !RemindMe function

 

[ReHabs]

We need a !RemindMe function

I’ve bookmarked a lot of posts, yours included

 

[NotProkofievian]

We need a !RemindMe function

I'll post the picture if he gets 40pts or 0.5ppg over 65+ games of this season. Someone bookmark it.

 

[Jaynki]

I’ve bookmarked a lot of posts, yours included

You must have a catalogue at this point!

I think it will be a very funny exercise to look back into it in 2-3 years either way

 

[A Loyal Demidog]

"Slafkovsky is Jagr 2.0. He's going to grow to be anywhere between 6'7 and 9'2"

 

[Kennerback]

Agreed on all points.

I think he needs to focus on creating his own shot and being ready to shoot when he gets the puck. With Dach at center he was able to do this as Dach was controlling the play and making space for Slaf. He has to keep it simple and drive to the dirty areas as his IQ/vision is still quite poor and when he tries to be a playmaker he just forces passes into traffic or to nobody at all. Juraj has to be more decisive and aggressive with his play and as you pointed out he has to collect the puck more cleanly which is partially related to him not being aware enough and partially a skill that he needs to practice more.

I find his first reflex when touching the puck even in the Ozone is how can we keep possession of the puck, and not how can we score. As a comparison players like Bedard and Michkov are always thinking net before they get the puck even in their Dzone.

 

[Kennerback]

If Slaf gets 40 points this season I will buy his jersey. If he gets 0.5ppg for basically a full season I'll stf up forever.

40 points is wishful thinking. Fantilli is struggling in Columbus. It’s hard to adapt to the NHL unless you’re generational.