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.

 

[Habs]

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.

Well that is just f***ing STupid if true. They can punch faces, hit heads, take out knees, but we draw the line at cursing?

 

[OldCraig71]

Well that is just f***ing STupid if true. They can punch faces, hit heads, take out knees, but we draw the line at cursing?

Don't get your panties in a bunch, Jesus, you are ready to throw a tantrum at the drop of a hat. Is it a mid life crisis?

 

[Habs]

Don't get your panties in a bunch, Jesus, you are ready to throw a tantrum at the drop of a hat. Is it a mid life crisis?

I just find it funny the things the losers behind the bench get mad at ! Don't get me started on politics!

 

[shamrun]

I am liking his 2 way play. Maybe i am nitpicking here but i have noticed on the breakouts he does not skate with puck. He tends to pass to the middle. I think it was lars eller that got wrecked with one those a while back. I think he can cary the puck just a bit further.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Is he playing well?

 

[BLONG7]

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.

Well said...............Slaf is a pass first type of player, right now. He will turn the corner and become a shooter, when more confident.

 

[Mrb1p]

Is he playing well?

No. Producing at least but he's been his usual slow-to-process self. He's thinking too much and thinking isn't his strong suit.

 

[Paddyjack]

I thought last night he was doing well at some point in the third. Curiously, he was playing with Suzuki at that moment....

*hint* Marty, *hint*

My biggest issue this season is that he is not using his body like he did last year. My eyes were litterally drawn to him during a game, now I find him passive

 

[ReHabs]

I thought last night he was doing well at some point in the third. Curiously, he was playing with Suzuki at that moment....

*hint* Marty, *hint*

My biggest issue this season is that he is not using his body like he did last year. My eyes were litterally drawn to him during a game, now I find him passive

He had a spotlight on him during his good phase last year. It was breathtaking. I think it wasn't just a hot streak, it was equal parts him figuring things out and things working out for him. He needs to make better decisions and this will return because his physical tools and skills are second to none.

 

[WeThreeKings]

There's also a lot of things he does on goals that don't result in points, like getting the defense flustered handling in front of the net and providing a screen for a goal.

Don't think he got an assist on our first goal last night, but it was worthy of one.

Can't wait to see Slaf and Dach find their confidence and sustain it in this league. Rare to have two guys of that size with that level of skill, if they can start imposing themselves on games and shifts with regularity, we will be in business.

 

[Egresch]

No. Producing at least but he's been his usual slow-to-process self. He's thinking too much and thinking isn't his strong suit.

Sounds like an autoportrait, @Mrb1p

 

[Mrb1p]

Sounds like an autoportrait, @Mrb1p

Chad's recognizes Chad what can you say.

 

[Miller Time]

Terrible take. Bottom shelf. None of them were considered projects at the time of their draft, they just took longer to get going -- completely different.

Completely and utterly false.

I appreciate that you've reiterated my assertion.

No problem. 18 year olds take time to develop... Captain obvious strikes again lol

 

[rik schau]

Is he playing well?

Well, he is playing................albeit poorly.

From what I see and read; many are defending him making excuses but I just see a player that has not been good all season, ( limited observational opportunities ) much like the team but he stands out more for the wrong reasons. If you don't expect more out of a 1oa pick, you should.imao

 

[ReHabs]

Completely and utterly false.

No one considered Laf or MacKinnon a project at the time of the draft, this is why their slow takeoff was noteworthy and commented upon so often. This is also why Slafkovsky's slow takeoff was positively compared to MacKinnon's at times. You can't have it both ways with these awful takes.

 

[70Stang]

Currently he's scared shitless to skate with the puck. Most notable coming-out of his zone and neutral zone. Last night was the first time I actually felt that might be starting to change. He was holding on to the puck a bit longer. Baby steps I guess. I would love to see a closer look of the stick he plays with because he sure fumbles the puck a lot and like someone else mentioned he has a horrawful backhand. Even some passes he tries to make away from his body on backhand he just can't make them

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Currently he's scared shitless to skate with the puck. Most notable coming-out of his zone and neutral zone. Last night was the first time I actually felt that might be starting to change. He was holding on to the puck a bit longer. Baby steps I guess. I would love to see a closer look of the stick he plays with because he sure fumbles the puck a lot and like someone else mentioned he has a horrawful backhand. Even some passes he tries to make away from his body on backhand he just can't make them

I'm not so sure its a scared/confidence thing as much as a speed/weight thing. He's slower than last year and I wonder why. Once he gets going he's fine , like on the forecheck , but his first steps lack explosiveness , especially with the puck on his stick

 

[Miller Time]

No one considered Laf or MacKinnon a project at the time of the draft, this is why their slow takeoff was noteworthy and commented upon so often.

Yet you say Slaf is a project and that doesn't preclude you and several others to be impatient and "comment" about your frustration in his play lol

Turns out that the random labels are irrelevant. 18 year olds almost always take a few years to develop consistent top line caliber impact. Very few players are established stars out the gate or within 1-2 yrs of draft.

This is also why Slafkovsky's slow takeoff was positively compared to MacKinnon's at times. You can't have it both ways with these awful takes.

says the poster who complains incessantly about Slaf, one empty hot take after the other