Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition

[Pazucha]

Go see NHL Edge stats and tell me this again.

His skating is decent, especially for his size but its nowhere near the elite skaters like McDavid, Makar, MacKinnon

Even his teammates Guhle and Caufield are much much better skaters..

Good thing is he has other tools that he can use to be useful.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

I’m sorry you’re struggling to find a way to complain

I accept your apology.

 

[jrom]

Slaf is showing or has shown....

- he can thread the needle and make great passes
- he can score from difficult angle with pure snipes
- he can score from the slot with power
- he can score in dirty utilizing his size and strength
- he can control the puck along the boards, and is a possession monster
- he can play defense and knows where to be on the ice
- he can skate and close gaps on the back check
- he can hit.
- he is worthy of a #1 OV pick.

We all spoke earlier about working on his shooting. He is doing/has done that.

What is next? What do you see as his next challenge?

Can he reach another gear with skating? I would like to see him work on skating next. Work on edge work and shiftiness. Tough thing for a guy his size, but would be something if he had another gear in a straight line and could be shiftier like a little guy.

D-zone breakout. When Slaf manages to retrieve the puck he seems hesitant on what to do next. Last couple of games I saw it’s either an immediate pass to a D (even if the D is not better placed then Slaf) or hesitant passes to a forward.

It’s a collective weakness this year (missing Kirby) but I think there’s room for improvement in route selection to transition with possession.

 

[417]

Because the people who insult and attack others for having differing opinions about a sports team are great human beings.

That's the "toxic" component of the toxic positivity for those purposely playing dumb with their reading comprehension.

As for Slaf, good that he seems to have gotten better with his hockey sense. Hope he maintains it.

I'm a big believer in you reap what you sow.

If you're there to dish it out, you gotta be there to take it back. A lot of people had fun when Slaf was "struggling".

The chickens have come home to roost.

 

[jrom]

Remains to be seen what those picks turn into. We did waste a couple of seconds on Shaw and one of those picks turned out to be Debrincat.

If the plan was to use Newhook at C it’s not looking great but I think the plan for him is winger. Good skating, good shot, not big but sturdy, playoff experience.

I don’t think Newhook can drive play on his line so he looks bad at C or with Dvorak etc.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

I'm a big believer in you reap what you sow.

If you're there to dish it out, you gotta be there to take it back. A lot of people had fun when Slaf was "struggling".

The chickens have come home to roost.

It depends towards whom you're dishing. Criticizing management for a draft pick you don't like and commenting on a player is fine. Conversely, going after posters personally is another story. The amount of ad hominem I've seen from the so-called "positive" posters on this site is staggering. I don't think some posters see the difference because they act like an attack on the Habs org is an attack on them personally.

If we're wrong about Slaf, we're wrong. That's actually a good thing. When I was evaluating him, I saw a player that played like a bonehead most of the time and made the occasional good play, which is how he also played in the NHL. If something's clicked and he's no longer playing like a bonehead, everyone wins.

But I wouldn't take my victory lap until he's been playing like this for more than a Galchenyuk-length of time.

 

[417]

It depends towards whom you're dishing. Criticizing management for a draft pick you don't like and commenting on a player is fine. Conversely, going after posters personally is another story. The amount of ad hominem I've seen from the so-called "positive" posters on this site is staggering.

Precisely...there was a lot of this going on, so that's why you're seeing many of the posts you've seen lately.

I know I've had a lot of amazing debates about Slaf with folks I disagreed with, but it was always about how they were developing him. It never got personal.

With others...well....

If we're wrong about Slaf, we're wrong. That's actually a good thing. When I was evaluating him, I saw a player that played like a bonehead most of the time and made the occasional good play, which is how he also played in the NHL. If something's clicked and he's no longer playing like a bonehead, everyone wins.

But I wouldn't take my victory lap until he's been playing like this for more than a Galchenyuk-length of time.

I wouldn't call it a victory lap as much as just reminding folks who thought they were leading the race, that they've in fact been lapped and just haven't realized it yet.

 

[Paddy17]

We've been saying it for weeks here, casual fans have been saying it on Twitter lately, the TSN broadcaster said it during last night's game, and this morning even François Gagnon said it in his article : why can't Matheson pass to a wide-open Slafkovsky during the PP?

When everyone sees it, I don’t know why the coaches or the player himself can't see it or do something about it.

 

[Mudz]

It depends towards whom you're dishing. Criticizing management for a draft pick you don't like and commenting on a player is fine. Conversely, going after posters personally is another story. The amount of ad hominem I've seen from the so-called "positive" posters on this site is staggering. I don't think some posters see the difference because they act like an attack on the Habs org is an attack on them personally.

If we're wrong about Slaf, we're wrong. That's actually a good thing. When I was evaluating him, I saw a player that played like a bonehead most of the time and made the occasional good play, which is how he also played in the NHL. If something's clicked and he's no longer playing like a bonehead, everyone wins.

But I wouldn't take my victory lap until he's been playing like this for more than a Galchenyuk-length of time.

Slaf always shown a high level of hockey IQ.

But you need hockey IQ to see hockey IQ...

It's quite easy to point at the sky a say it's blue tho

 

[Guess]

I thought Slaf would be better in the AHL this season. I was so fu..ing wrong. He's already one of the best player on the team. At 19yo

I think the most impressive thing is about Slaf is he is showing leadership at such a young age. Caufield said he is pushing the others to do better.

Strangely, he looked so much faster and shiftier in the WC's than he does now. I think the big ice helped as it gave him time/space to make decisions. But the weight gain minus the strength impacted him.

That said, he has some weaknesses as all 19 year olds do. Below are the areas of his game that needs work:

1. Skating - straightline speed is ok. east/west and edge work needs significantwork.
2. Driving play - this is a confidence thing. He needs to take a page from CC's book and carry the puck from the boards to the middle for a shot.
3. Coordination / Balance - improved on this significantly but still work to do. I think he grew during the time period of the draft and put on pounds that impacted his balance. This comes with strength, time and physical maturity.
4. Hitting - still hesitant when throwing hits. He needs to commit to a hit rather than a half-assed attempt. Seems like he can't decide whether to throw a hit or play the puck.
5. Awareness - improved significantly but still prone to getting lit up. Head on a swivel.
6. Endurance - he still gets gassed during shifts and late in the game and over long stretches in the season with back-to-backs. Better nutrition and training in offseason will help.

Once he gets stronger he can do those Kovalev one handed drives up the ice, with his reach no one will be able to take the puck from him.

He still hasn't shown his dangling ability yet, I wonder if we will see it before the end of the season.

Also agree on the east/west stuff, in general showing more playmaking ability, not just threading nice passes.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

Precisely...there was a lot of this going on, so that's why you're seeing many of the posts you've seen lately.

I know I've had a lot of amazing debates about Slaf with folks I disagreed with, but it was always about how they were developing him. It never got personal.

With others...well....

I wouldn't call it a victory lap as much as just reminding folks who thought they were leading the race, that they've in fact been lapped and just haven't realized it yet.

Slaf always shown a high level of hockey IQ.

But you need hockey IQ to see hockey IQ...

It's quite easy to point at the sky a say it's blue tho

See? It's like clockwork.

 

[417]

See? It's like clockwork.

Bah...you'll be aight man

Chin up bro

 

[NobleSix]

Fell asleep after the 2nd period last night and just remembered now to check the box score of last night's game. I see he added another point after that. 29 points. Wow.

 

[Shutdown]

See? It's like clockwork.

is it really ad hominem to suggest that someone failed to properly perceive a player's hockey iq because they were unable to? the alternative you suggested is that Slafkovsky learned how to play hockey overnight in November 2023

 

[Twisted Sinister]

Bah...you'll be aight man

Chin up bro

Somehow I'll live.

is it really ad hominem to suggest that someone failed to properly perceive a player's hockey iq because they were unable to? the alternative you suggested is that Slafkovsky learned how to play hockey overnight in November 2023

Yes it is. The non ad hominem way to say that is "I disagree with your take, here's why:"

The ad hominem way is "lol you're a hockey IQ dumbass. I am moar smarter. No explanation"

 

[BLONG7]

We've been saying it for weeks here, casual fans have been saying it on Twitter lately, the TSN broadcaster said it during last night's game, and this morning even François Gagnon said it in his article : why can't Matheson pass to a wide-open Slafkovsky during the PP?

When everyone sees it, I don’t know why the coaches or the player himself can't see it or do something about it.

He has a bit..............there was a one timer last weekend, Slaf scored on...................but it needs to happen more.
Once it does then it gives Matheson, or someone an option of CC on one side, and Slaf on the other.

Slaf is just coming to terms, with trying to not be a pass first guy. His one timer once perfected, boy he is going to score goals!!

 

[Shutdown]

Somehow I'll live.



Yes it is. The non ad hominem way to say that is "I disagree with your take, here's why:"

The ad hominem way is "lol you're a hockey IQ dumbass. I am moar smarter. No explanation"

pretty sure there were tons of comments explaining why Slafkovsky was progressing while all you saw was a bonehead.

When I was evaluating him, I saw a player that played like a bonehead most of the time and made the occasional good play, which is how he also played in the NHL. If something's clicked and he's no longer playing like a bonehead, everyone wins.

people dug their heels in trying to convince everyone Slafkovsky had nothing going on between the ears, and now they want their hand held.

 

[BLONG7]

It depends towards whom you're dishing. Criticizing management for a draft pick you don't like and commenting on a player is fine. Conversely, going after posters personally is another story. The amount of ad hominem I've seen from the so-called "positive" posters on this site is staggering. I don't think some posters see the difference because they act like an attack on the Habs org is an attack on them personally.

If we're wrong about Slaf, we're wrong. That's actually a good thing. When I was evaluating him, I saw a player that played like a bonehead most of the time and made the occasional good play, which is how he also played in the NHL. If something's clicked and he's no longer playing like a bonehead, everyone wins.

But I wouldn't take my victory lap until he's been playing like this for more than a Galchenyuk-length of time.

Gotta like the Rehabs kind of compliment in there.....lol

All good, as long as you are true in saying you are glad to be wrong. Rehabs was busy trying to be right, all the while pretending to be a habs fan, and somehow glad HuGo was wrong, and we all told him it was going to take time......and it is taking time.
The developing of a young player at 18 entering the NHL is more than likely 3-4 seasons unless you are Crosby, McD level right off the get go.........

 

[waitin425]

It depends towards whom you're dishing. Criticizing management for a draft pick you don't like and commenting on a player is fine. Conversely, going after posters personally is another story. The amount of ad hominem I've seen from the so-called "positive" posters on this site is staggering. I don't think some posters see the difference because they act like an attack on the Habs org is an attack on them personally.

If we're wrong about Slaf, we're wrong. That's actually a good thing. When I was evaluating him, I saw a player that played like a bonehead most of the time and made the occasional good play, which is how he also played in the NHL. If something's clicked and he's no longer playing like a bonehead, everyone wins.

But I wouldn't take my victory lap until he's been playing like this for more than a Galchenyuk-length of time.

When you were evaluating him.... Perhaps nothing clicked since then. Perhaps...just maybe...your evaluation was wrong.

 

[Redux91]

Yes it is. The non ad hominem way to say that is "I disagree with your take, here's why:"

The ad hominem way is "lol you're a hockey IQ dumbass. I am moar smarter. No explanation"

Whoa, that's like.. a description of all your posts the last couple months! *shock*

And did you just Google what ad hominem means a couple days ago or something because you're in love with saying it in every post all of a sudden lol

If you're done with the 'whole world's against me' shtick everybody can move on and enjoy this Slafkovsky stuff maybe?

 

[All Star John Scott]

Somehow I'll live.



Yes it is. The non ad hominem way to say that is "I disagree with your take, here's why:"

The ad hominem way is "lol you're a hockey IQ dumbass. I am moar smarter. No explanation"

womp womp

 

[Rozz]

We could lose every single game for the rest of the year but as long as our Top Line continues to roll, build chemistry, and grow in their games, I won't care.

Especially Chadkovsky.

this! sooooo much of this!


...it's exactly where I am at too

 

[the valiant effort]

My favourite part of the Slaf drinking game is when he retrieves the puck in the d zone along the boards and angrily lasers a pass through a crowd to the weak side dman for a regroup.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I think after 20+ years we may actually have a legit franchise player! A forward no less!

Agree. Slaf have all talent, two-way game, work ethic to be a franchise forward.

90-100 pts per season is a realistic potential for him. Yess, he is that good.

I'm a fan since day one, before the draft and I believe that he is a gamer changer.

Look at him with Suzuki and Caufield, he look already a line driver at 19 years old with 2 great talent. That's insane!

 

[Captain Mountain]

Slaf always shown a high level of hockey IQ.

But you need hockey IQ to see hockey IQ...

It's quite easy to point at the sky a say it's blue tho

... I don't exactly love the reductive view of hockey IQ, because it can be hard to judge.

Like, what is Hockey IQ? A mix of vision, quick decision making, making good decision on the ice, on-ice awareness, positioning, etc.

When Slaf was a rookie, it was easy to question his hockey IQ because he frequently looked lost on the ice and his decision making was timid. There were flashes, but as fans its hard to know what was lack of experience and/or comfort and what was lack of hockey IQ. We're seeing more displays of good hockey IQ now (although Slaf's rawness is still evident), but its been a development process to work on his skills and comfort in the NHL. This is partially why having a front office that values actual development is important.

Slaf was always known to be a raw prospect, but with his growing comfort to make plays and shoot, its more evident now just how his ceiling could be.