Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition

[LaP]

Agreed. Shows how thin we are beyond the top line still.
Laine, Demidov and Hage will add some much needed depth up front.

Still have planty of picks too. We'll have two first round picks in 2025 one of which should be top 15 and if Calgary can hold long enough the 2nd could be top 15 too. We also have Pens 2nd round pick which should be fairly high. In 2026 we have Columbus 2nd. Lot of good 2nd round picks for the next two draft to move up in the first round. If Dvorak and Savard have a good season they should return a 2nd round pick too. Rebuild is not over yet imo but it's time to give kids experience to make sure they are not green rookies in 2026.

 

[morhilane]

Slaf and Kirby need to take space and just start ripping it, can't have Caufield as the only shooting threat on the team.

It'll open up more options for them.

Dach have 9 shots, same as a Suzuki, and they are tied in 2nd on the team for shots on net (behind Gally/CC with 14 each).

Slaf had 3 recorded shots last game, he effectively doubled his total over the season in one game. But he mostly just shoot on the powerplay despite spending most of it with his ass in front of the goalie's face. His line can't have extended ozone time for much of "one shot and out" at 5v5 right now for more.

 

[cphabs]

Still have planty of picks too. We'll have two first round picks in 2025 one of which should be top 15 and if Calgary can hold long enough the 2nd could be top 15 too. We also have Pens 2nd round pick which should be fairly high. In 2026 we have Columbus 2nd. Lot of good 2nd round picks for the next two draft to move up in the first round. If Dvorak and Savard have a good season they should return a 2nd round pick too. Rebuild is not over yet imo but it's time to give kids experience to make sure they are not green rookies in 2026.

Yep!

 

[waitin425]

Juraj Slafkovsky - PPG player in his third season.

 

[1909]

Juraj Sr is in town

Expecting a goal tonight

View attachment 916617

daddy is a big tall guy too.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Slaf and Kirby need to take space and just start ripping it, can't have Caufield as the only shooting threat on the team.

It'll open up more options for them.

I don’t know why Slafkovsky doesn’t shoot more. He has a good shot.

 

[Habs Halifax]

It's about time CC converted on one of his setups. Last year was brutal... Slaf set him up so many times and it didn't go in.

Looking forward to seeing what Slaf can do. I think he has a shot at 70 points.

I think Caufield's season last year was a low for him. He's a 30+ guy for me all day long. Just don't know how much deeper he gets past 30. I can see him being all over the map when we look back in 10 years. A few 30+ and a few 40+ seasons. Probably averages out around 35/season in his career or something like that.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Dach is alone on an island surrounded by players who can't match his skill set. I like Newhook and Armia but not in the top 6.

I feel the same about this. Newhook as the 3rd wheel to Dach/Laine was OK but as the undisputed 2nd wheel with Laine injured, the quality drops quite a bit.

Ideally, Newhook and Armia are 3rd line players. Also have seen some fans pencil in Newhook as a center. I think not. He's a energy type winger for me and that's OK.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Slafkovsky injured at practice per TSN.

 

[ReHabs]

PPG so far this season, we're barely scratching the surface of what he's capable.

Will he be the first since Kovalev in 2008 to break our PPG ceiling?

 

[LaP]

PPG so far this season, we're barely scratching the surface of what he's capable.

Will he be the first since Kovalev in 2008 to break our PPG ceiling?

Dunno ppg at 20 is a hard task. I mean it will would not mean anything long term i always prefer to wait 3 years before declaring that a player has arrived but most players who can do more than 80 points at 20 end up being very very good players.

 

[waitin425]

PPG so far this season, we're barely scratching the surface of what he's capable.

Will he be the first since Kovalev in 2008 to break our PPG ceiling?

What's crazy is that he is doing it, looking fairly pedestrian. I feel like he really hasn't ramped up yet. Same goes for Suzuki. It's coming.

Caufield is over inflating both at this point.

 

[morhilane]

Dunno ppg at 20 is a hard task. I mean it will would not mean anything long term i always prefer to wait 3 years before declaring that a player has arrived but most players who can do more than 80 points at 20 end up being very very good players.

There are 30 players in NHL history who managed 80+ points at age 20. If we are talking 1 ppg, it's 45.

Post 2010 drafted players, there are only these guys: McDavid, Stutzle, Barzal, Austin Matthews, Stamkos and Jack Hughes.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Skipped practice. He's clearly hurt and in pain when they zoom on him.

Please let him rest and heal.

 

[Hannibal]

Hopefully it’s not a serious shoulder injury that will require the same operation that Caufield and Xhekaj had.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Slaf and Kirby need to take space and just start ripping it, can't have Caufield as the only shooting threat on the team.

It'll open up more options for them.

I agree. Not enough shooter mentality on this roster. I get it, you want to be a team player and they are tight but we are still too pass happy. Very often, we are waiting too long to set something up and allowing the D to get in position. We need to create more havoc and one way is shooting it and recovering the puck.

 

[417]

I agree. Not enough shooter mentality on this roster. I get it, you want to be a team player and they are tight but we are still too pass happy. Very often, we are waiting too long to set something up and allowing the D to get in position. We need to create more havoc and one way is shooting it and recovering the puck.

That's the biggest issue that's plagued the PP and why losing Laine hurts so much.

Other than Caufield, no one wants to shoot.

 

[Koivu11]

 

[WeThreeKings]

Rather be cautious but it's the Habs and we know this week to week injury will be on the longer end

 

[morhilane]

Since he won't play tonight. Lets watch Slaf take slapshot during his "solo" morning skate:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1848730697940271294

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

As long as it’s not serious, then fine. Injuries are a part of the game.

But if it turns out he’s missing the season or something like that then I will go postal.

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

Not sure when he hurt it, appeared to be the preseason fight when he left for a while afterwards.

Just reason why this teams need true tough fourth liners. Not saying fighters but willing combatants that make it so the top 6 feels less obligated to do it on their own.

Creampuffs like Armia and Dvorak. Anderson who is rarely willing. Swap in some guys tough to play against and push back on the bottom 6 is so needed

 

[Andrei79]

Not sure when he hurt it, appeared to be the preseason fight when he left for a while afterwards.

Just reason why this teams need true tough fourth liners. Not saying fighters but willing combatants that make it so the top 6 feels less obligated to do it on their own.

Creampuffs like Armia and Dvorak. Anderson who is rarely willing. Swap in some guys tough to play against and push back on the bottom 6 is so needed

Also, players that are high end defensively with high compete. We were spoiled in that regards with Danault, Byron and Lehkonen, but right now there's no one.

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

Also, players that are high end defensively with high compete. We were spoiled in that regards with Danault, Byron and Lehkonen, but right now there's no one.

Ya compete level is cliche phrase but when the team lacks it, you notice

 

[Artaud]

Also, players that are high end defensively with high compete. We were spoiled in that regards with Danault, Byron and Lehkonen, but right now there's no one.

You're forgetting Jake Evans, who's quickly becoming the most underrated player by this fanbase. Perfect bottom six-er in my book.

Not sure when he hurt it, appeared to be the preseason fight when he left for a while afterwards.

Just reason why this teams need true tough fourth liners. Not saying fighters but willing combatants that make it so the top 6 feels less obligated to do it on their own.

Creampuffs like Armia and Dvorak. Anderson who is rarely willing. Swap in some guys tough to play against and push back on the bottom 6 is so needed

I don't that toughness should be relegated to the bottom 6. There's nothing wrong with sandpaper in the top 6, in fact most team want that. Look at the Tkachuk brothers. I'd be very happy if Slaf was to bring that sort of game to the group.