Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition
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Doom Bot
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- Aug 30, 2024
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Slaf seems to be affected by confidence or a lack of confidence than most players. We've seen him use his skating, strength and hands to get around defenders and create space for himself but if you aren't confident that you're going to get around a guy and you second guess yourself, you're not going to get around him. Also there's times when he gets a bit of an open path in the offensive zone, he's freezing and looking for someone to defer it to instead for instinctually attacking.
This is all stuff that can be improved on or eliminated with more experience. Coaching staff just has to keep managing the highs and lows until he figures it out. Ideally your first overall isn't still a project in their third season but it is what it is. I believe he will figure it out.
This is all stuff that can be improved on or eliminated with more experience. Coaching staff just has to keep managing the highs and lows until he figures it out. Ideally your first overall isn't still a project in their third season but it is what it is. I believe he will figure it out.
Heffyhoof
So happy to be glad to be pleased to meet you.
- Jan 17, 2016
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"Come on Slaf, I keep putting you with Dach and it's your job to carry him and gift him points. Why aren't you good enough to make my decisions look good? Dach's development supersedes everything! Also, I've seen fans who don't watch the game think you need to use the body more, how dare you only be 2nd in hits while playing 3 less games than Anderson! Just you wait until more nonsense is made up!"
HabbyGuy
Registered User
I haven't missed a game in years, and I don't care how many hits Slaf has, if you think he's using his body to his advantage and playing consistently physical perhaps it's you who needs to watch more games.
I do agree though, that Dach's improvement in play is essential for this team going forward. From what I've seen, for the short few games they've been together, The Laine, Slaf, Dach line are slowly gelling and gradually looking better with every game.
Also find it hilarious you think Marty is using Slaf to carry anyone, Juraj's not one to carry any line. His best stretch in his young career was him being propped up by Suzuki and Caufield. He will get better as he matures, but at the moment he's a complimentary piece.
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Slaf will turn it around. His confidence is a little shot. We saw some nice work last game. I really like the chemistry he is developing with Laine.
I think he will score more than last years 50, and may approach 60. Upward progress is all we should expect from a young 20 year old in his 3rd year.
I think he will score more than last years 50, and may approach 60. Upward progress is all we should expect from a young 20 year old in his 3rd year.
WeThreeKings
Demidov is a HAB
His game takes off when he moves his feet and uses his shot more. When your confidence is low you go back to your old habits until the new habits take over.
This is not uncommon, he's been better lately as that line has gotten better.
This is not uncommon, he's been better lately as that line has gotten better.
It's refreshing to have a coach actually coach instead of bullying or trying to impose his will a la Therrien.
He's also 20, still growing into his frame.
He's going to be fine. He processes the game quickly. I am not worried. It's all part of the learning process.
Also, I love the revisionist history of Nick and Caufield carrying Slaf. Just plain false. He was a main contributor to that line and a main reason why it took off.
Pompeius Magnus
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Egresch
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- Jul 10, 2022
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Agree on what you wrote, but it is kind of obvious that MSL used Slaf to carry Dach. We finally had dominating 1st line probably for the first time in this millenium, but it took MSL just 5 games to split it. Slaf got injured for 3 games and they never came back together. Of course, 20y old Slaf is not ready to carry any line and he started to struggle. Playing with Dach only snowballed the effect and he started to overthink everything and stopped moving his feet. Just stupid decisions from MSL now created even more pressure on Slaf.
HabbyGuy
Registered User
I disagree on the term carry. Marty is using Slaf to support both Dach and Laine and vice versa. All three are trying to re-establish their games together. All three are both theoretically and legitimately the 3 best top 6 we have left on our team's depth chart. Marty is trying to create scoring depth throughout the lineup not just the first. All three are capable of working this out together. No ones development is being damaged here. We need somebody to play 2C on this team, if Slaf and Laine can help Dach to do that, then they should. It would benefit us both now and in the future.
Meanwhile... Nick and Cole have been and will be fine regardles.
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Increased amount of shorter shifts in that game compared to the 3 previous games. That means he has more legs and when Slaf skates that's when he's efficient.
Grate n Colorful Oz
Pure Laine Hutson
Should change the title to Parabolic Stagnation, as the stagnation is ever so extending.
In comes Slaf with a two assists game to shut me up? I'm the anti-jinx master for Slaf. As if he reads this board...
In comes Slaf with a two assists game to shut me up? I'm the anti-jinx master for Slaf. As if he reads this board...
sampollock
Registered User
Heffyhoof
So happy to be glad to be pleased to meet you.
- Jan 17, 2016
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Okay narrative guy. You tried the narrative line that he needs to play the body and were 100% wrong so now you show me a tsn video? You're commitment to the narrative is impressive but you really need to watch hockey.
Egresch
Registered User
- Jul 10, 2022
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That is for me the definition of carry. They should be working together, not 2 players compensating for the third one. Dach should be nowhere near top6 now, he should get more patience to come back from big injury.
OldCraig71
Sleeveen
Look at the size difference between MSL and Slafolopigus, wow. Slaf needs to play a meaner game and he will dominate the league.
- Jan 18, 2022
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It’s taxing to play like that and he’s never played like that. It’s not in his instincts because he’s a playmaker at heart. The game’s been easy for him all his life because of his natural gifts and now he’s hit a plateau and needs to work through it — it’s entirely mental, entirely personal, entirely based on his decision-making and (yes) drive.
I think he makes many minor bad decisions and in aggregate they detract from his game big time. Hopefully with experience he changes these decisions because it’s not a matter of talent (ability), he’s got all the talent anyone could ask for.
River Meadow
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- Mar 29, 2016
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Canadienna
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- Jan 27, 2015
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I'd like MJ to specify why he thinks Hutson can't grow into a top pairing 5v5 defender. Seems this gets said a lot but personally I think he has everything it takes.
Edit: Oops just realized this is the Slaf thread.
Slaf will be fine. Youngest player on the team and this is sort of his "sophomore" slump.
2 goals in 25 games is definitely not what any of us expected. Ah the adventure of watching young players developing and struggling.
habdynasty
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- May 26, 2008
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Tsn and their crappy insiders have hated the habs for 40 years. F them and the leaves. I hope they fold.
- Jan 18, 2022
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HabbyGuy
Registered User
I said he needs to be more physical, and that he has to use HIS body more, and I stand by it.
This includes skating harder, imposing his mass on others, winning puck battles, and just flat out be bigger. Don't care what his inconsequential hit number says, the eye test proves otherwise.
He has a genetic gift, (advantage) he should use it.
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River Meadow
Registered User
- Mar 29, 2016
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This.
He ain't exactly the most skilled 1st OA pick ever.
He absolutely needs to use his size to his advantage, else he may as well just become another Danius Zubrus.
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