Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition

[Kudo Shinichi]

I posted this earlier in the Slaf thread and got a lot of pushback. But the thing is during his draft year, some teams saw him as a center at the NHL level. If Montreal was one of them, I can't see them announcing that at draft day, but rather starting him off as a winger for a few seasons before testing him at center.

Why would we move Slaf at center when we already have Suzuki and Dach?

 

[badfish]

Why would we move Slaf at center when we already have Suzuki and Dach?

My thinking is two fold: 1. While I think Suzuki is an excellent first line center, I think he might be an even better player as a winger. The comparison I draw is to Claude Giroux, who's game reached another level in his mid to late career when he was moved from center to wing.

2. Other reason is because if Slaf and dach were your centers that's two massive puck protecting players who work well along the boards, down low and defensively. I don't think there would be another team in the NHl who had two centers that big - giving the Habs a unique competitive advantage. Reminds me of a few pretty competitive teams in the 2000s/2010s.

Won't be surprised if I get flamed again for this opinion but whatever, this boards a boring place if everyone sticks to the consensus.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I actually think Dach and Slafkovsky work better as puck moving dmen, you need size on the back end to win in the playoffs.

 

[billy piton]

I actually think Dach and Slafkovsky work better as puck moving dmen, you need size on the back end to win in the playoffs.

also to win in the playoffs you need a big goalie...

 

[vlady]

Slaf is at 50% in faceoffs over two NHL season. Only 15 taken thought...

Being 50% at faceoffs when you have taken 15 faceoffs is impossible. Not for Slaf though, what a Chad.

 

[Seb]

I actually think Dach and Slafkovsky work better as puck moving dmen, you need size on the back end to win in the playoffs.

Is it that absurd of a thought to switch him to center?

I'm legitimately wondering.

 

[waitin425]

Is it that absurd of a thought to switch him to center?

I'm legitimately wondering.

If it was an obvious move, or even something worth exploring, Marty would probably try it.

Slaf played excellent on Suzukis wing last year. I hope he stays there all year.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

also to win in the playoffs you need a big goalie...

Xhekaj to the net and we are in business.

 

[Zilo44]

I’d rather see Slaf become a PPG winger than to see him focus on transitioning to centre.

Suzuki is a fine 1C and Dach or Lindstrom could provide the size down the middle in the top 6

 

[nhlfan9191]

My thinking is two fold: 1. While I think Suzuki is an excellent first line center, I think he might be an even better player as a winger. The comparison I draw is to Claude Giroux, who's game reached another level in his mid to late career when he was moved from center to wing.

2. Other reason is because if Slaf and dach were your centers that's two massive puck protecting players who work well along the boards, down low and defensively. I don't think there would be another team in the NHl who had two centers that big - giving the Habs a unique competitive advantage. Reminds me of a few pretty competitive teams in the 2000s/2010s.

Won't be surprised if I get flamed again for this opinion but whatever, this boards a boring place if everyone sticks to the consensus.

Suzuki is a top 10 forward in the league defensively. The fact he plays center is a huge benefit for us because that’s where he’ll be most effective with the way he plays. Moving him to the wing isn’t an option.

 

[morhilane]

Being 50% at faceoffs when you have taken 15 faceoffs is impossible. Not for Slaf though, what a Chad.

Looks like I misread the total column. It was for won faceoffs only. Slaf has taken 30 total in two seasons and won 15 of them.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Price at wing
Slaf at center
Arber at wing
Hutson at wing

 

[CanadienShark]

I actually think Dach and Slafkovsky work better as puck moving dmen, you need size on the back end to win in the playoffs.

Slafkovsky will be the new Brent Burns - hits another level as d-man.

 

[morhilane]

Price at wing
Slaf at center
Arber at wing
Hutson at wing

A winning combo!

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I know its been quiet in here for a few days but its nice to see Slaf spend some time with his dad in the offseason

 

[MD thaivuN]

Looks like I misread the total column. It was for won faceoffs only. Slaf has taken 30 total in two seasons and won 15 of them.

what a bust, can't even half-win a face-off

 

[rickthegoon]

Why would we move Slaf at center when we already have Suzuki and Dach?

Because Dach averages 40 games played by season ?

 

[Guess]

I actually think Dach and Slafkovsky work better as puck moving dmen, you need size on the back end to win in the playoffs.

Can't we just teach all our players every position? Then we don't need to trade at all.

After all, we're good at development..

 

[V13]

I’d rather see Slaf become a PPG winger than to see him focus on transitioning to centre.

Suzuki is a fine 1C and Dach or Lindstrom could provide the size down the middle in the top 6

I would prefer that Slaf stays at wing permanently too. He has the size to become a puck possession board cycling monster

Let's not play the position musical chair with our youngsters. Everytime we tried it in the past it ended up in failure. (Chucky , KK etc). I know we were desperate for a big center back then and i remember we even tried Latendresse at C for a couple of games. That was terrible lol

 

[ReHabs]

I would prefer that Slaf stays at wing permanently too. He has the size to become a puck possession board cycling monster

Let's not play the position musical chair with our youngsters. Everytime we tried it in the past it ended up in failure. (Chucky , KK etc). I know we were desperate for a big center back then and i remember we even tried Latendresse at C for a couple of games. That was terrible lol

Drouin at C...

Slaf was a revalation for 3/5ths of the season. I think he was nearly PPG since the shift to the top line. Hope to see him pick up precisely where he left off: dominating from the flanks.

 

[Heffyhoof]

I've mentioned it and seen other posters mention this idea before, but I'm firmly cemented in the idea of 'pairs' of forwards. You find two forwards who play amazing together and you add in a good swiss-army knife player to compliment them, like Colorado did with adding Lehkonen or sort of like Hyman in Edmonton.

Both Suzuki and Slaf played at a level previously unseen when they were paired together, and very often it felt like Caufield was just there. I would much rather try and find a player, stop-gap or otherwise, that fits better with this pair than move Slaf to center or Suzuki to wing.

 

[CanadienShark]

View attachment 879495

I know its been quiet in here for a few days but its nice to see Slaf spend some time with his dad in the offseason

Sign that horse ASAP. And I'm referring to Slafkovsky.

 

[Skip Bayless]

View attachment 879495

I know its been quiet in here for a few days but its nice to see Slaf spend some time with his dad in the offseason

Gyatt

 

[nhlfan9191]

I've mentioned it and seen other posters mention this idea before, but I'm firmly cemented in the idea of 'pairs' of forwards. You find two forwards who play amazing together and you add in a good swiss-army knife player to compliment them, like Colorado did with adding Lehkonen or sort of like Hyman in Edmonton.

Both Suzuki and Slaf played at a level previously unseen when they were paired together, and very often it felt like Caufield was just there. I would much rather try and find a player, stop-gap or otherwise, that fits better with this pair than move Slaf to center or Suzuki to wing.

Why are people talking about Slaf at center or Suzuki at wing? Neither of those things are happening.

 

[Naslundforever]

I've mentioned it and seen other posters mention this idea before, but I'm firmly cemented in the idea of 'pairs' of forwards. You find two forwards who play amazing together and you add in a good swiss-army knife player to compliment them, like Colorado did with adding Lehkonen or sort of like Hyman in Edmonton.

Both Suzuki and Slaf played at a level previously unseen when they were paired together, and very often it felt like Caufield was just there. I would much rather try and find a player, stop-gap or otherwise, that fits better with this pair than move Slaf to center or Suzuki to wing.

Agreed about the Slaf-Suzuki pairing; and I am on the “habs need an elite 1RW” train.

However a smurf-sized potential 40 goal scorer might be in the perfect situation on a line where he is forgotten and “just there” instead of being relied on to carry the attack.

Either way (CC on the 1st or 2nd), add an elite RW to the Habs, + Dach plays the season and they have a real top 6 with room to get better for a few years. I smell playoffs.

Slaf at camp will be scary. He’ll be confident and hungry, experienced and stronger still. The beast has been let loose I think.