Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition

[Tyson]

He dropped a loud F-bomb that could be heard on the tv broadcast and posters speculated that was the reason he got benched. I don't know if that was the reason or not.

His play got him benched. Players cuss the entire game...that won't cause a coach to sit a player.

Slaf needs to find more consistency and focus more on keeping his feet moving and when he does the points will accumulate. He was projected to be a good second-liner and that's fine, not all drafts are equal. It would have been cool to get a Matthews or a Mackinnon but that wasn't our luck.

We got possibly a generational player in Demidov though...I am good with that!

 

[ReHabs]

Slaf needs to find more consistency and focus more on keeping his feet moving and when he does the points will accumulate. He was projected to be a good second-liner and that's fine, not all drafts are equal. It would have been cool to get a Matthews or a Mackinnon but that wasn't our luck.

I think he has a lot in him! I saw it with my own eyes last year. The issue is up there in his noggin’, like you say: consistency, professionalism, decision making.

The organization claims he’s a good learner. Hopefully he continues to improve.

Not crying over spilled milk here, today I’m perfectly sanguine about him and his role with the Habs. He wasn’t necessarily rushed (as in: he didn’t get burnt) so I was wrong about being so insistent about that. Whatever happens next… it’s in his own gigantic hands.

 

[Tyson]

I remember how MacKinnon had 63 points in his rookie season and didn't do much for the next 3 years only to break out in year 5. I am not saying Slaf is MacKinnon but players develop and sometimes regress a bit...all part of the maturing process. Guy Lafleur had 21 goals in his 3rd season...29, 28, 21 and then the 50 goal seasons started. Patience with this kid and enjoy the ride...it could be bumpy.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I remember how MacKinnon had 63 points in his rookie season and didn't do much for the next 3 years only to break out in year 5. I am not saying Slaf is MacKinnon but players develop and sometimes regress a bit...all part of the maturing process. Guy Lafleur had 21 goals in his 3rd season...29, 28, 21 and then the 50 goal seasons started. Patience with this kid and enjoy the ride...it could be bumpy.

Bigger players tend to take a bit longer, too.

Byfield is struggling to start the season. 2g 7a in 19 games.

 

[Tyson]

Bigger players tend to take a bit longer, too.

Byfield is struggling to start the season. 2g 7a in 19 games.

Exactly %

 

[OldCraig71]

I think he has a lot in him! I saw it with my own eyes last year. The issue is up there in his noggin’, like you say: consistency, professionalism, decision making.

The organization claims he’s a good learner. Hopefully he continues to improve.

Not crying over spilled milk here, today I’m perfectly sanguine about him and his role with the Habs. He wasn’t necessarily rushed (as in: he didn’t get burnt) so I was wrong about being so insistent about that. Whatever happens next… it’s in his own gigantic hands.

Were you a fan of the Habs when Max Pacioretty was in his first 2-3 years with the club? He was a similar animal—a big guy who was a good goal scorer but struggled playing against men in the NHL. He got rocked on many occasions and struggled more than Slaf has.

He asked the club to send him to the AHL and in his second season there it all clicked for him, he came back and looked like a veteran on the ice.

Slaf is learning on the job and his production is similar to Jack Hughes, a very highly touted prospect. He has size and talent, he just needs some more time to put it all together. I expect that he will be a 60-80 point player during his prime but as I said, not all drafts are created equal.

There's no crime in being wrong here but most of the time it's better not to take a hard stance on anything because things can change and it's hard to come back from, I speak from experience lol.

 

[Tyson]

Were you a fan of the Habs when Max Pacioretty was in his first 2-3 years with the club? He was a similar animal—a big guy who was a good goal scorer but struggled playing against men in the NHL. He got rocked on many occasions and struggled more than Slaf has.

He asked the club to send him to the AHL and in his second season there it all clicked for him, he came back and looked like a veteran on the ice.

Slaf is learning on the job and his production is similar to Jack Hughes, a very highly touted prospect. He has size and talent, he just needs some more time to put it all together. I expect that he will be a 60-80 point player during his prime but as I said, not all drafts are created equal.

There's no crime in being wrong here but most of the time it's better not to take a hard stance on anything because things can change and it's hard to come back from, I speak from experience lol.