Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition

CapSpace

Caufield is lit
Nov 25, 2013
4,177
4,429
Near Montreal
Slaf is the furthest thing from an aggressive player, imo of course. I actually believe he's one of the softest 240lbs players I've ever watched and that's no fault of his, that's just how he's wired. If you take a look at guys like the Tkachuk's, they were bred to be physical assholes on the ice. Slaf will never be that type of player. If the team gets more physical, which is a must, I'm sure he will ramp up his level of physicality somewhat.

Going forward he can definitely learn to use his body better for shielding the puck, creating space, etc...but he'll never consistently instigate contact or violence.

He's always been this type of player

You cleary don't remember Dagenais.
 

LaP

Registered User
Jun 27, 2012
26,620
21,130
Quebec City, Canada
I think people put too much weight in Slaf shoulders for no reason. He's playing in a team where there's Suzuki, Caufield, Laine, Hutson and not much else. Not sure i'd include Matheson the way he plays defensively. Slaf is just 20 asking him to lead this team to wins against vastly experienced teams like Vegas or Boston is foolish imo. He's doing well against younger teams lacking experience like himself. We always knew he was not going to be the next McJesus but his toolkit is rare to find and once he will put some adult muscles on his frame he could become a special player.

Slaf is 20, very talented, he will figure it out. Sometimes we forget how young these kids are.
I need to adhere to this mindset with Dach.
Dach is older though. He'll soon be 24 so he has less time to figure it out. Still possible but less likely. His credentials are not as good too. SLaf already got a 50 points season under his belt and his pacing for around 40 (edit pacing for 49.78 in 82) and did very well internationally. Dach has yet to have a 40 points season. I could see Dach become the Carolina's version of Jordan Staal with time but more would surprise me.
 
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McGuires Corndog

Pierre's favorite MONSTER performer
Sponsor
Feb 6, 2008
26,695
15,142
Montreal
As previously mentioned,

He needs to play with Suzuki and Caufield. He is a complimentary player at this stage of his career and he compliments them very well, that’s not to say as he gains more experience and confidence he can’t drive a line down the road but right now he needs to play with good players and produce for the sake of his development.
 

waitin425

Registered User
Jan 10, 2009
8,364
12,772
Canada
Staple Slaf to Caufield and Suzuki.

Let Laine drag Dach's corpse around the ice 5 on 5 but score on like 50 % of our powerplays.

Next year, Demidov rides with Laine and this team will be even nastier. Get us another top 6 centre, and the team will be contenders.....with of course a #1 RD (le sigh).

Slaf - Suzuki - Caufield
Demidov - Cozens - Laine
Heinemen - Dach - Newhook
Anderson - Evans - Gally
Beck
 

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