Slafkovsky heating up

[Paulinbc]

After a slow start Slafkovski has 22 points in his last 25 games.

Discuss.

Shane Wright says hello and wants some attention...

 

[HabsQC]

He was really good with Dach at the beginning of the year. IMO there's a chance Dach - Slaf become the first line and Suzuki - Caufield 2nd line.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Shane Wright says hello and wants some attention...

Tell him he can come on the show once we’re done interviewing Shayne Corson.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

Is he the next Patches without injuries?

Pacioretty was a mediocre passer, Slaf's best weapon is his passing ability.

 

[BB79]

Shayne Corson! Can’t you read?

Next question.

Oh ok, I thought it was the Zamboni driver

 

[JianYang]

Ahh kk nice.

In unrelated news, did you see the new Curb episodes? haha

Lol, I'll get to it eventually. The little one doesn't leave me with much of an opportunity to watch TV these days. How would you rate it?

 

[Maitz]

I honestly didn't think he would become that good that quickly, I think he might have more potential than even us Habs fans thought, I am the first to say I say a 2nd line LW with 55-60 pts potential but I think he will drive a line, play on the 1st line and flirt with the PPG

 

[ole ole]

I admire the optimism, bless you.

I'm glad he's playing well, and it's a HUGE 180 compared to how lost he looked at the beginning of the season, but I will personally wait a bit more to pump the tires on him.

5 yrs will have gone by and all we'll hear from you is You will still want to wait a bit more to pump the tires on him.

 

[River Meadow]

5 yrs will have gone by and all we'll hear from you is You will still want to wait a bit more to pump the tires on him.

Oh?

 

[Whalers Fan]

Only if he scores 900 points in that game.

 

[JianYang]

What are realistic expectations of him in the next few years? 30-40-70 kinda guy with some hits & blocks?

Really hard to tell, to be honest. I think he's slowly realizing what he can and can't do. He's starting to find his niche, but it's still in Flux, as you normally see with a teenager.

Forget about the production, his style of play is completely different than when he first entered the league, and it will continue to evolve, but what we can see is that he can skate, he disrupts alot of plays, and he can dish the puck. His shot seems to be improving but if I had to choose whether he's a playmaker or shooter, deinfintiely I'd say playmaker.

But beyond that, I think it's too early to be talking about his points ceiling/floor.

 

[Jared Dunn]

If he keeps playing so well my dad might have no choice but to learn how to spell his name

 

[Jared Dunn]

What are realistic expectations of him in the next few years? 30-40-70 kinda guy with some hits & blocks?

Possibly a little more ceiling on the assist totals, he's so smart and with his size he could really start to open up space for his linemates as he gets more comfortable carrying it. He's really smart, huge and has good hands which should turn him into a possession monster.

About 2 weeks ago I was projecting a 50 point season for him next year, I'm up to 60 now. Hope they resign him long term before it turns into 70 lol

In his mid-20's peak perhaps something like John Le Clair, around 50Gs/100pts seasons.

I don't think he'll ever have that goal scoring upside to be honest. I think 70 assists is more realistic than 50 goals

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Really hard to tell, to be honest. I think he's slowly realizing what he can and can't do. He's starting to find his niche, but it's still in Flux, as you normally see with a teenager.

Forget about the production, his style of play is completely different than when he first entered the league, and it will continue to evolve, but what we can see is that he can skate, he disrupts alot of plays, and he can dish the puck. His shot seems to be improving but if I had to choose whether he's a playmaker or shooter, deinfintiely I'd say playmaker.

But beyond that, I think it's too early to be talking about his points ceiling/floor.

It is. He's 19 years old and still figuring things out. As his play improves the checking will get harder. There will be droughts and misplays... I think for next year 60 points is a good goal. But it's not a certainty, just something to shoot for.

 

[Jared Dunn]

It is. He's 19 years old and still figuring things out. As his play improves the checking will get harder. There will be droughts and misplays... I think for next year 60 points is a good goal. But it's not a certainty, just something to shoot for.

And if you had told me even 3 months ago that was an actual possibility I would have never believed you. Difficult to keep a measured approach when he seemingly takes such a big step but even if he hits 50 points next year that's pretty good considering where his play and expectations were at the start of this season

 

[JianYang]

And if you had told me even 3 months ago that was an actual possibility I would have never believed you. Difficult to keep a measured approach when he seemingly takes such a big step but even if he hits 50 points next year that's pretty good considering where his play and expectations were at the start of this season

It works both ways. When things aren't working out on the score sheet, people are extremely concerned about the #1 pick who happened to bust.

It things are going well, then it's a feeling that he will only get better and better, and the sky is the limit.

The truth obviously is almost always in the middle somewhere, and yes, the middle has a really big range, but we end up mostly talking within the confines of narrow extremes.

You will notice on this forum that many fans will cry to the moon about doing a "proper" rebuild by burning a team to the ground and starting over, but very few actually have the stomach for it if the team actually chooses that route. Give it a year ot two, and fans will be complaining about the coach and lack of player development.

Yes, some rebuilds will fail, but the first few years will always be painful and is no time to conclude on the long term project. It's just fans wanting their cake, and also wanting to eat it at the same time.

 

[MakoSlade]

I wonder if we have had any other threads talking about this, maybe a mod can step in and let us know.

As a Devils fan who had to endure a couple of years of absolute ignorant posts about Jack Hughes, I can understand the relief and joy Montreal fans are feeling now. Let them have this...

 

[Coffey]

Lol, I'll get to it eventually. The little one doesn't leave me with much of an opportunity to watch TV these days. How would you rate it?

First two episodes 9/10! Larry hasn’t lost a beat!

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

And if you had told me even 3 months ago that was an actual possibility I would have never believed you. Difficult to keep a measured approach when he seemingly takes such a big step but even if he hits 50 points next year that's pretty good considering where his play and expectations were at the start of this season

I would be happy with 50.

 

[River Meadow]

Is it pumping the tires to think he'll do 60 points next year or is it a realistic prediction?

His play has improved dramatically. He's on the first line and he's been producing around a point per game for around 20 games now. His goals are up... Should we just lowball what we think a player will do? No. That doesn't make any sense at all.

Tell us what you think he'll do next year. 10 points? 20?

60 point projection next year is not completely unrealistic.

 

[AirGut]

why did people ever even dogpile on Slaf or Laf? Was it always just people who hate original 6 franchises and pray to see them f*** up?

 

[River Meadow]

why did people ever even dogpile on Slaf or Laf? Was it always just people who hate original 6 franchises and pray to see them f*** up?

Slaf looked literally completely lost and not NHL ready, then he completely did a 180.

Quite remarkable.


Laf still sucks, though. (i kid, i kid).

 

[bert]

Alot of posters eating alot of crow right now. Including all the Habs fans leading up to the draft. Was always the obvious # 1 if you watched him. Unicorn package of size and skill. Development path was always going to be a longer one. Habs are lucky they didn't blow it by playing him in the NHL last year. Some guys are just so good it doesn't matter. But he was not ready last year. Which is completely normal for an 18 year old euro coming to NA for the first time.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

why did people ever even dogpile on Slaf or Laf? Was it always just people who hate original 6 franchises and pray to see them f*** up?

Slaf was god awful last year is why

 

[The Real JT]

why did people ever even dogpile on Slaf or Laf? Was it always just people who hate original 6 franchises and pray to see them f*** up?

Slaf looked literally completely lost and not NHL ready, then he completely did a 180.

Quite remarkable.


Laf still sucks, though. (i kid, i kid).

Laf doesn’t suck but he’s still a massive disappointment. He was the clear #1OA and was felt to be a generational talent by some.

For comparison’s sake, Laf is 22 years old and has 31 points with a team second worst -9 while playing with Panarin. Yes, he’s played better this year but he’s no more than a middle six guy.

Meanwhile Slaf has way less NHL experience. He’s 19 years old and has 29 points and is a -11 playing with far lesser talent.