Slaf got a talking to

[Lafleurs Guy]

MSL has to ask himself.................who is more important to the team, Slaf or Newhook?
Newhook should be somewhere around the 2nd and 3rd line...

He’s trying to balance out the scoring. They may also be testing Slaf to see what he can do away from that first line. More going on than we know I’m sure.

But I agree, I’d put him in the first line.

 

[SlafySZN]

MSL has to ask himself.................who is more important to the team, Slaf or Newhook?
Newhook should be somewhere around the 2nd and 3rd line...

Newhook has been playing good but now that he does, I’d let him go with Laine and Dach and get Slaf with Caufield and Suzuki. I can understand being separated for a few games but Slaf haven’t played with Caufield since he is back from missing 3 games due to injury.

 

[Naslundforever]

Hockey historians will write that he earned the biggest amount of money with the least effort.
It's not easy to watch a 20 yrs old kid not giving a f*** on the ice. 90% of shifts he isn't even trying.

Emulating his young veteran center. Who knew players tend to follow each other’s pace on the ice? Slaf has sucked but Dach is a Dyson v15. A black hole. Frustrating to watch the favouritism with him. GM’s pet, so no choice but to play the heck out of him, gross.

At least with Colezuki Slaf was getting points even if looking confused and not really around the puck.

 

[nhlfan9191]

The contract is the least of our concern, under 26, a major mistake can be fix with a 1/3 buyout. And it won’t come to that, Slaf will either find his game in the coming years or be traded. Someone somewhere will think they can fix him if we can’t.

He probably won’t be a superstar but he will figure it out, I’m sure of it. He could end up being 1.5 millions or 2 overpaid.

Why are we talking buyout a little over a quarter into the season? Lol if he plays like he did last year, the contract is fine. He didn’t just forget how to play hockey and he hasn’t had any career derailing injuries so it’s just a matter of getting him to play with confidence again. He should be glued to Suzuki’s line but for whatever reason they’re playing him with other struggling players. The coaching this year has sucked.

 

[JadedRandom]

It's still very early days to get worried as far as Slafkovsky is concerned. Bigger guys will generally take longer to develop. Look no further than Byfield for LA.

Also, Slafkovsky hasn't played with the same fire this year as last, but he's been good overall nevermind the stats.

People are just upset that he hasn't been bringing the same level of energy, hasn't asserted his will on the ice like he did last season without understanding that consistency in young players is very, very hard to achieve.

Even a guy like MacKinnon only started to truly dominate when he got into his D+5, and MacKinnon is 5x the talent that Slafkovsky is.

While Slafkovsky has failed to make a difference on his own, away from Caufield and Suzuki, the fact that we have to depend on a 20 year-old to lead the way for a second-line is a big part of what's wrong with this team in the first place.

Kirby Dach has only produced for us when spoonfed time on the wing of Caufield and Suzuki and on the PP. Away from them and at 5-on-5 I actually think he's been way, way worse than Slafkovsky over the course of the season.

We also have to show patience in Dach's case given that he suffered a devastating ACL/MCL tear last year that can take up to 18-24 months to fully heal, but he shares his part of the blame.

But the worst of the three so far this season has definitely been Newhook. And I think it makes sense from a player's coach like MSL to try and "give some candy" to a guy like Newhook when things haven't been going his way at all.

Moreso considering Slafkovsky seems to still have a good morale, and since Laine's return Dach hasn't been great at C but also hasn't been getting completely caved-in at 5-on-5 recently.

Next year we'll graduate Demidov into the NHL lineup, probably on a second line to spark some things there away from Caufield/Suzuki. But we're gonna need a good top-6 center to help him get the most of his opportunities, and if that doesn't come from within (Hage, Beck, Kapanen) it will have to be addressed by the GM.

In the meanwhile Slafkovsky will work on his game, get better, get more consistent, and in a few years I'm pretty sure he'll be a big part of our team's offensive outlook. I could see him easily get 60-70 points while being good defensively, physical, and horribly-effective on the forecheck.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Not concerned , we drafted a 60-70 guy first overall , won't be the first and won't be the last. Its not the end of the world

 

[River Meadow]

No Hockey iq.
No puck skills.
No vision.
No anticipation.
No speed.
Doesn't use his size.

Wow his agent fleeced Kent Hughes with a career year as a 19 year old.

He's like Nichuskin but Nichuskin was able to find a gear after turning 25. But Nichuskin had a mind for the game evident even early.

This player is the most lost 3rd year, 20 year old player ever.

This post is a lie.

Slaf has some vision and passing.

 

[Tyson]

Slaf will be fine...he should be playing with Suzuki though

 

[Ozmodiar]

Slaf will be fine...he should be playing with Suzuki though

I’d like to see him figure what he’s good at while on line 2, then bring that over to line 1.

Is he a passer? Is he a shooter? A beast on the boards? Is he a problem in front of net or does he play between defenders?

Everything is inconsistent. Suzuki masked it.

I hope he finds his identity, then brings it to line 1 to help it. Not because he needs to be lifted up.

 

[KFlint]

Why are we talking buyout a little over a quarter into the season? Lol if he plays like he did last year, the contract is fine. He didn’t just forget how to play hockey and he hasn’t had any career derailing injuries so it’s just a matter of getting him to play with confidence again. He should be glued to Suzuki’s line but for whatever reason they’re playing him with other struggling players. The coaching this year has sucked.

My point was that even if we had a juggernaut team in 5 years, and Slaf contract was an anchor by then because we have so many stars to pay, it wouldn’t be a problem. So all the horrible contract things I read are way overblown.

It will NOT come to that but it’s not even in the realm of the really bad contracts in the league if he becomes an average second line player.

 

[JianYang]

It's still very early days to get worried as far as Slafkovsky is concerned. Bigger guys will generally take longer to develop. Look no further than Byfield for LA.

Also, Slafkovsky hasn't played with the same fire this year as last, but he's been good overall nevermind the stats.

People are just upset that he hasn't been bringing the same level of energy, hasn't asserted his will on the ice like he did last season without understanding that consistency in young players is very, very hard to achieve.

Even a guy like MacKinnon only started to truly dominate when he got into his D+5, and MacKinnon is 5x the talent that Slafkovsky is.

While Slafkovsky has failed to make a difference on his own, away from Caufield and Suzuki, the fact that we have to depend on a 20 year-old to lead the way for a second-line is a big part of what's wrong with this team in the first place.

Kirby Dach has only produced for us when spoonfed time on the wing of Caufield and Suzuki and on the PP. Away from them and at 5-on-5 I actually think he's been way, way worse than Slafkovsky over the course of the season.

We also have to show patience in Dach's case given that he suffered a devastating ACL/MCL tear last year that can take up to 18-24 months to fully heal, but he shares his part of the blame.

But the worst of the three so far this season has definitely been Newhook. And I think it makes sense from a player's coach like MSL to try and "give some candy" to a guy like Newhook when things haven't been going his way at all.

Moreso considering Slafkovsky seems to still have a good morale, and since Laine's return Dach hasn't been great at C but also hasn't been getting completely caved-in at 5-on-5 recently.

Next year we'll graduate Demidov into the NHL lineup, probably on a second line to spark some things there away from Caufield/Suzuki. But we're gonna need a good top-6 center to help him get the most of his opportunities, and if that doesn't come from within (Hage, Beck, Kapanen) it will have to be addressed by the GM.

In the meanwhile Slafkovsky will work on his game, get better, get more consistent, and in a few years I'm pretty sure he'll be a big part of our team's offensive outlook. I could see him easily get 60-70 points while being good defensively, physical, and horribly-effective on the forecheck.

I'll give another example going further back. Todd Bertuzzi didn't become the premier power forward until 26 years of age or 6 years into his nhl career.

The Islanders traded him during his 3rd nhl season along with Bryan McCabe for Trevor Linden. Oopsies.

Now, I don't think the plan would be to wait that long before slaf breaks out. If that's the case, Suzuki would be into his 30s, but it also serves as a cautionary tale of not writing these bigger guys off too early.

 

[Habs]

If hockey doesn't pan out he could be an underwear model with that bastard Milf hunter Jake Evans

 

[shello]

I never understood why these kids get so much money for 1 year of success

Bridge contracts used to help mitigate this

 

[shello]

Hard to not be a little concerned considering this is his 3rd season and it doesn’t seem like there’s really be a jump in his game

 

[Lebowski]

This post is a lie.

Slaf has some vision and passing.

Slaf has a lot going for him, but so does a guy like Armia… He’s gonna be an asset for this team moving forward, but he looks more like a third wheel on his line than a play driver.

 

[Whitesnake]

Not concerned , we drafted a 60-70 guy first overall , won't be the first and won't be the last. Its not the end of the world

First, there are no indications he'll even get there. Second, it has to be a big deal if the idea to look bad for 5 years is to pick high to rebuild when what you can get from those drafts are average players. Right now, of all those years, the only guy that screams real talented player is Demidov. Hopefully will be the case for the upcoming draft. Rein and Slaf, chances are really serviceable complementary player....but you have to hope for more.....Luck and wisdom weren't on our side.

 

[Habssince89]

I like slaf's defensive/responsible game potential to start. He's been responsible and has made good plays with his stick and he has shown good IQ in how he dumps the puck for changes, etc.

The issue with his offensive game is that he wants the puck on his stick. When his touches are few and far between, he gets cold and while that's a knock on him (he has to improve his play without the puck offensively) it makes sense that he struggling to produce when he can't control the play (he is a playmaking wing more than goal scorer IMO).

Although Laine is known to want the puck, he likes to distribute as well. And I think keeping Slaf with Laine is a good idea. PL will create plays that will give Slaf some good opportunities and hopefully some tap-ins. If I were coaching slaf, I'd tell him that his #1 priority is winning the puck for the team and getting control. From there, let your talent flow and have fun. Stop overthinking.

He over-thinks and he simply needs to be told not to think too hard until that puck is won. He's smart enough to read the play once he has the puck, or once his teammate has it. But the problem is he's already trying to think about his play before he has won the puck. He's simply getting ahead of himself because he's a very talented and creative player. He just needs time

 

[BargainBinSpecial]

If hockey doesn't pan out he could be an underwear model with that bastard Milf hunter Jake Evans

Yeah, hockey will pan out for him with that 8 yr contract. They can always buy him out but will put HuGo in line with the bad GMs the franchise has known over the years.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Hard to not be a little concerned considering this is his 3rd season and it doesn’t seem like there’s really be a jump in his game

100%

Take old bessie out to pasture, 20 is too old

 

[Heffyhoof]

I saw @WeThreeKings and @417 mentioning they'd be cashing in on bad Dach takes. This thread is a goldmine of the worst reactionary takes I've seen since the last time Slaf was a bust.

 

[teamfirst]

Not worry about him at all, he will figure it out .....but still think he should be use on the wall when on PP he is completly missuse in front of the net.

People saying he has no visions are completly wrong, his visions is his best quality as a hockey player, only Hutson vision's is better than his on the team right now

 

[nhlfan9191]

First, there are no indications he'll even get there. Second, it has to be a big deal if the idea to look bad for 5 years is to pick high to rebuild when what you can get from those drafts are average players. Right now, of all those years, the only guy that screams real talented player is Demidov. Hopefully will be the case for the upcoming draft. Rein and Slaf, chances are really serviceable complementary player....but you have to hope for more.....Luck and wisdom weren't on our side.

If it wasn’t for the awful first 15-20 games last season where he struggled to get going production wise, he would’ve pretty much been in that 60-70 point territory already. He was pacing for it for 3/4 of the season. I would say that’s a pretty strong indicator that he will in fact get there and possibly surpass people’s current projections. I don’t know what’s going on with him this season but he’s much better then this and we’ve seen that. Nothing would indicate last season was a flash in the pan. He’s not playing with the same drive right now and I find it hard to believe that a 20 year old won’t figure that out soon enough. Especially with all the praise he got in regards to his work ethic before this season.

 

[Kennerback]

I’d like to see him figure what he’s good at while on line 2, then bring that over to line 1.

Is he a passer? Is he a shooter? A beast on the boards? Is he a problem in front of net or does he play between defenders?

Everything is inconsistent. Suzuki masked it.

I hope he finds his identity, then brings it to line 1 to help it. Not because he needs to be lifted up.

He’s a passer. He doesn’t shoot. He can be good along the boards when he hustles. He’s better not playing net front, but he’ll be relegated there because we have better players for the other PP spots.

 

[Ozmodiar]

He’s a passer. He doesn’t shoot. He can be good along the boards when he hustles. He’s better not playing net front, but he’ll be relegated there because we have better players for the other PP spots.

Net front - I didn’t necessarily mean only on PP. more of his preferred location … like Matthew Tkachuk.

I agree with your assessment.

He has to get going with what he’s good at.

 

[shello]

100%

Take old bessie out to pasture, 20 is too old

Of course not. Not what I’m implying at all. He’s in his third pro season, you’d hope he would have taken a larger more consistent step considering his draft status. He’ll likely figure it out, but he has a shiny new contract coming up to live up to