Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition

[HuGo Burner Acc]

Anyone who would think Subban was a bigger star than Markov doesn't know hockey. Markov was one of the most underrated players of his generation. Fans appreciated him but I don't think management ever really did.

He was a bigger star. That doesn't necessarily mean he was better lol

 

[417]

The General was my favorite hab during his era, I don't think we had a smarter defender than Markov. If he was part of some of those 80's teams his jersey number might be hanging in the rafters. That man made plenty of D partners look better than they were. The franchise disrespected him by not getting him to 1000 games in a habs jersey.

Andrei Markov is the best skater for the Montreal Canadiens post 1993 Cup.

Some might say Kovalev or Subban or Koivu.

But for my money, none of them were as good and for as long, as Andrei Markov.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Andrei Markov is the best skater for the Montreal Canadiens post 1993 Cup.

Some might say Kovalev or Subban or Koivu.

But for my money, none of them were as good and for as long, as Andrei Markov.

When accounting for duration or career, I completely agree.

In terms of a peak and game breaking ability, it’s Subban. He had an ability to rise to the occasion that few players have.

 

[417]

When accounting for duration or career, I completely agree.

In terms of a peak and game breaking ability, it’s Subban. He had an ability to rise to the occasion that few players have.

I don't agree - but it's a fair take.

For me, I never saw a Montreal Canadiens player tilt the ice more on a consistent basis than when Markov was there vs not on the ice or vs injured.

Even on the PP, Subban never QB'd it quite like Markov did and while I think Subban in his peak was an excellent defender, again, not as good as Markov.

But i'm extremely biased here, Andrei Markov's my favorite all-time Hab.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I think Subban was a bigger star. I don't think he was a better hockey player.

He was both. Especially in the playoffs. Subban was a legit HOF talent until his rapid decline.

The only thing he didn’t have was longevity.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I'm gonna up the ante a little bit here and say that he is going to become the best forward from Slovakia since Peter Stastny. Better than Hossa, Gaborik, Palffy, Demitra, Bondra.

It's what I thought since his draft year, but now I am confident enough to post this prediction.

I agree with your statement. I was big big fan of Hossa when he have played (likely one of my favorite forward players with Datsyuk and Malkin). I see Hossa play many times on TV, I 100% believe that Slaf have potential to become a two-way beast like Hossa, but he is bigger and higher offensive talent to me. (Hossa better two-way), but Slaf can become a two-way beast if he continue like. I never see a 19 years old player with soo goood at protection the puck like this, mature game like this, really good in details of the game. I never see that and that's not because I'm a pro Habs-fan, I know young players, I know hockey in general. Slaf is truly special. 90 pts per season in 2 years... I'm 100% confident about that. He have too much good tools already to don't produce like that. He is that good.

 

[Tabarouette]

don't talk about Markov I might tear up

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I agree with your statement. I was big big fan of Hossa when he have played (likely one of my favorite forward players with Datsyuk and Malkin). I see Hossa play many times on TV, I 100% believe that Slaf have potential to become a two-way beast like Hossa, but he is bigger and higher offensive talent to me. (Hossa better two-way), but Slaf can become a two-way beast if he continue like. I never see a 19 years old player with soo goood at protection the puck like this, mature game like this, really good in details of the game. I never see that and that's not because I'm a pro Habs-fan, I know young players, I know hockey in general. Slaf is truly special. 90 pts per season in 2 years... I'm 100% confident about that. He have too much good tools already to don't produce like that. He is that good.

Slaf is still a pass first player. I just don’t think he’ll have the shot volume to be a Hossa type goalscorer. We’ll see though, he’s got a great shot and is starting to use it more.

 

[red devil]

 

[le_sean]

LOL

While the picture is hilarious and I get the whole premise, I just can't see Suzuki as a "Bert" although the other two seem apropos.

Also I love Slaf, but there's only one Big Bird, and that's Larry. He needs his own moniker due to proper respect for Mr. Robinson.

Juraj Snuffleupagus?

He's a creature as mythical as a unicorn...

That’s basically Monahan now. Slaf (Big Bird) is the only one that sees him with the pregame invisible handshake.

 

[Church]

On BPM sport 91.9 they are talking Slaf extension numbers. Think he gets an extension this summer? If so, how much does he sign for?

 

[417]

On BPM sport 91.9 they are talking Slaf extension numbers. Think he gets an extension this summer? If so, how much does he sign for?

It's one extreme to the other in this market eh

SMDH lol.

 

[Miller Time]

Slaf is still a pass first player. I just don’t think he’ll have the shot volume to be a Hossa type goalscorer. We’ll see though, he’s got a great shot and is starting to use it more.

For a "pass first" player, he sure does get a lot of his points from goals lol

Over last 3 years of men's hockey...

132 games, 28g 29a.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

For a "pass first" player, he sure does get a lot of his points from goals lol

Over last 3 years of men's hockey...

132 games, 28g 29a.

It’s so early in his career. He’s described himself as a pass first guy and that’s exactly what he was. To the point where it was suggested that he have a shot quota. That was only a couple of months ago.

Dude is a sponge and is so young. Great shot and put up seven shots on his last game. But it’s way too early to start predicting him as the next Hossa.

Is he going to put up around 300 shots per year? That’s about where he’d need to be to score 40 on the regular. He’s got a great shot and is working to improve it. But it will really come down to hshot volume.

And honestly, he’s improving so rapidly in so many aspects of the game I find it difficult to predict what kind of player he’ll be. And there will be competing forces as he continues as well. For example, he’s still really uncovered on the PP. Teams are still focusing on covering Caufield. As Slaf establishes himself as a scoring threat from the circle, that will change and goals may be harder to come by. By contrast it will probably open up passing lanes.

He’s a really exciting prospect and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. But he’s only recently started shooting the puck. I think it’s too early to predict him as the next Hossa. He’s going to have to fire a lot more pucks over a season to get there.

I’m not saying he can’t do it but I think it’s too early to predict. I think next season will give us a better idea of why kind of player he’s going to be.

Six goals in his last seven games is awesome. He’s got a shooting percentage of 24 percent over that time. That’s crazy high and unlikely to be repeated over an entire year. He’ll have to shoot a lot to get to 40 goals per year. For perspective from age 24 to 32 Hossa averaged around 40 goals per 82 with close to 300 shots per 82 as well. Shooting percentage was around 13 and a half.

 

[Jack Skellington]

For a "pass first" player, he sure does get a lot of his points from goals lol

Over last 3 years of men's hockey...

132 games, 28g 29a.

because of all the time he spent playing with Anderson who's a miss first player

 

[McGuires Corndog]

It’s so early in his career. He’s described himself as a pass first guy and that’s exactly what he was. To the point where it was suggested that he have a shot quota. That was only a couple of months ago.

Dude is a sponge and is so young. Great shot and put up seven shots on his last game. But it’s way too early to start predicting him as the next Hossa.

Is he going to put up around 300 shots per year? That’s about where he’d need to be to score 40 on the regular. He’s got a great shot and is working to improve it. But it will really come down to hshot volume.

And honestly, he’s improving so rapidly in so many aspects of the game I find it difficult to predict what kind of player he’ll be. And there will be competing forces as he continues as well. For example, he’s still really uncovered on the PP. Teams are still focusing on covering Caufield. As Slaf establishes himself as a scoring threat from the circle, that will change and goals may be harder to come by. By contrast it will probably open up passing lanes.

He’s a really exciting prospect and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. But he’s only recently started shooting the puck. I think it’s too early to predict him as the next Hossa. He’s going to have to fire a lot more pucks over a season to get there.

I’m not saying he can’t do it but I think it’s too early to predict. I think next season will give us a better idea of why kind of player he’s going to be.

Six goals in his last seven games is awesome. He’s got a shooting percentage of 24 percent over that time. That’s crazy high.

Pacioretty was a “pass-first” type winger when we drafted him too, ended up more of a goal scorer for us than a playmaker.

All this to say, it’s fluid. Slafkovsky has the talent to be both and will ultimately be both, IMO. The beautiful thing about the line right now is that all three players can play the playmaker or the shooter role. Suzuki has a much better shot than people give him credit for, Cole is a better passer than given credit for, and Slaf is starting to get his shot in order.

Now we just need a second line

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Pacioretty was a “pass-first” type winger when we drafted him too, ended up more of a goal scorer for us than a playmaker.

All this to say, it’s fluid. Slafkovsky has the talent to be both and will ultimately be both, IMO. The beautiful thing about the line right now is that all three players can play the playmaker or the shooter role. Suzuki has a much better shot than people give him credit for, Cole is a better passer than given credit for, and Slaf is starting to get his shot in order.

Now we just need a second line

It is absolutely fluid with him. I’m simply saying we should hold off on Hossa predictions because of a seven game streak where everything has gone in for him.

Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be excited. Doesn’t mean we he can’t do it. I just think we’ll have a better idea after next season.

 

[Andy]

Pacioretty was a “pass-first” type winger when we drafted him too, ended up more of a goal scorer for us than a playmaker.

This very true. Very good point.

 

[Habssince89]

the circumstances of his linemates can influence his balance on being a passer or shooter. Pacioretty was on a team desperate for shooters and he thrived in that role. But Slaf has linemates who are dual threats. In a different world, slaf could be stuck with weaker linemates and he would be relied on to do all the playmaking

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

the circumstances of his linemates can influence his balance on being a passer or shooter. Pacioretty was on a team desperate for shooters and he thrived in that role. But Slaf has linemates who are dual threats. In a different world, slaf could be stuck with weaker linemates and he would be relied on to do all the playmaking

We also don't know who he's going to wind up on a line with. If he's with Dach (a pass first player) then he may fire off tons of shots. If he's with Caufield he may pass more...

Funny though that not that long ago the main gripe against him was that he didn't shoot enough.

 

[Redux91]

On BPM sport 91.9 they are talking Slaf extension numbers. Think he gets an extension this summer? If so, how much does he sign for?

3yrs×3M to start baby

 

[Kennerback]

because of all the time he spent playing with Anderson who's a miss first player

Anderson can’t pass and can’t exploit a pass. He produces in a vacuum. That’s how he rolls. If you play on a line with him, you need to play like he doesn’t exist.

 

[Jack Spider]

At his best Marian was likely a top 5 player in the league

He was the 4th best player on the hawks. Top 5 in the league is a stretch.

 

[Miller Time]

It is absolutely fluid with him. I’m simply saying we should hold off on Hossa predictions because of a seven game streak where everything has gone in for him.

Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be excited. Doesn’t mean we he can’t do it. I just think we’ll have a better idea after next season.

Agreed. Besides, Jagr predictions are much more fun

If he goes on to have a HOF caliber career (big IF, of course), we'll be pretty thrilled regardless of how he most impacts the game or puts up points

Future is bright

 

[Mrb1p]

He was the 4th best player on the hawks. Top 5 in the league is a stretch.

His prime was from 02 to 09 ish. He was out of his prime with the Hawks, and such a good player regardless. He had basically insane peak (Top 10ish) and also an insanely long prime, up until more or less 2015, where he was a first line forward.