Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition

[Goalfield13]

You don't need to name names. The first thing that comes to my mind when I see your username is Kirby dach's struggles this year.

It's not like he's gotten away Scott free either as Slaf's criticism has been more tame in comparison. The level of criticism towards dach this year is more comparable to slaf's first half last year before he really got it going where you had one group preaching patience and another louder group with a different outlook.

Dach has had WAY more support than Slaf, and it isn't even close. Anyways, I don't want to derail this thread. You have your perspective, and I have mine.

 

[Naslundforever]

I wonder if Slafkovsky has stalled because teams are playing him differently. Last season he was given more space. This year he's being crowded physically, which he has no response to. He's strong, but not shifty. Teams recognize they can check him and he won't skate around them. Instead, he'll pass the puck immediately or lose it.

He doesn't yet have the ability to loop around you or protect the puck long enough to make the perfect pass.

His assigned role seems to be to bring 2 guys with him to or behind the net; sometimes he’s wide open and no pass ever comes. He does flub it sometimes he get nervous I think.

 

[JianYang]

Dach has had WAY more support than Slaf, and it isn't even close. Anyways, I don't want to derail this thread. You have your perspective, and I have mine.

Yeah, we definitely don't agree there. Isn't even close? I guess like you said, this is an example how different perceptions can be.

 

[Goalfield13]

Yeah, we definitely don't agree there. Isn't even close? I guess like you said, this is an example how different perceptions can be.

Right, and I will refrain from posting in that thread for a while. I know I was getting too toxic over there.

 

[Pat Riot]

It's funny how Slaf and Newhook get so much ire from posters on this board with little to no support to counterbalance it, but other players (not going to name names) get all the leeway in the world.

Slaf is a first pick overall. Which we didnt have in a very long time in montreal. Its normal he get more attention than other player.

 

[Goalfield13]

Slaf is a first pick overall. Which we didnt have in a very long time in montreal. Its normal he get more attention than other player.

But anyone paying attention knew that draft didn't have elite talent, and Slaf himself was labelled as a project that had a ceiling of a complimentary top line player. He's well on his way to be the player as advertised. Saying he is a 1st overall pick and should have attention as one is being disingenuous.

 

[Pat Riot]

He's working through it for sure, but he is being productive in the meantime. 20 points with only 6 on the PP. 4 goals, but his playmaking has been great. When the puck is on his stick 5on5, he's a threat. I am not worried about him one bit.

I like your positivism but to say that when he has the puck he is a threat that kind of a stretch. I wish he was a threat but hes not right now.

 

[Goalfield13]

I like your positivism but to say that when he has the puck he is a threat that kind of a stretch. I wish he was a threat but hes not right now.

I guess you missed all those sweet apples he was handing out throughout the season. He earned his assist totals. It has been the main thing I have noticed about him.

 

[Pat Riot]

But anyone paying attention knew that draft didn't have elite talent, and Slaf himself was labelled as a project that had a ceiling of a complimentary top line player. He's well on his way to be the player as advertised. Saying he is a 1st overall pick and should have attention as one is being disingenuous.

It comes with the territory. Every first overall pick gane is more scrutinize than other players. Thats a fact no matter how you slice it

 

[Goalfield13]

It comes with the territory. Every first overall pick gane is more scrutinize than other players. Thats a fact no matter how you slice it

That's fine, but the fact remains that he is playing pretty well for his age and should get more praise. He has a good game, and there are crickets here. It's sad to see.

 

[Hins77]

Crazy how the 2022 draft is bad. The top 10. I mean. Nemec is looking like a bust in the AHL. Cooley is good, But he is not killing it either. Shane Wright is meh. jiricek is busting in the AHL. Korchinski, even AHL seems hard. Kasper a futur bottom 6. Savoie. Probably a uni dimensionnal winger. Mintyukov looking great.
Slaf is already a good player and should become better cause he is not close his prime. He is already playing on a first line at 20 years. This fact Itself is a encouraging.
Slaf played at young age in the NHL. So we should temper our expectation. If Slaf would have took the Hutson's route. Slaf would have play in the NCAA 2 years. Killing it.. and finally coming here and play already on a first line. Im sure we would have seen it differently.

 

[Kennerback]

I think we made out alright with Slaf at 1OA. Obviously with 20/20 hindsight I would have drafted Hutson there, but he’s my #2.

 

[Hins77]

I think we made out alright with Slaf at 1OA. Obviously with 20/20 hindsight I would have drafted Hutson there, but he’s my #2.

I think the fact Hutson is our new toy change the perspective. I agree, Hutson is a really good player. Finish the NCAA route, Coming here and already play on first pair is really solid. But could you imagine Slaf playing 2 years in the NCAA? He would have destroy it. He made 50 points last year in the NHL. He would have put the double in the NCAA without a doubt. And slaf playing on a first line at 20 years old is encouraging for the future.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

Crazy how the 2022 draft is bad. The top 10. I mean. Nemec is looking like a bust in the AHL. Cooley is good, But he is not killing it either. Shane Wright is meh. jiricek is busting in the AHL. Korchinski, even AHL seems hard. Kasper a futur bottom 6. Savoie. Probably a uni dimensionnal winger. Mintyukov looking great.
Slaf is already a good player and should become better cause he is not close his prime. He is already playing on a first line at 20 years. This fact Itself is a encouraging.
Slaf played at young age in the NHL. So we should temper our expectation. If Slaf would have took the Hutson's route. Slaf would have play in the NCAA 2 years. Killing it.. and finally coming here and play already on a first line. Im sure we would have seen it differently.

Yet that draft might become historic for us

 

[Andy]

Slaf will be fine. He’s 20. His development has not ended.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I think he has an injured shoulder, his shot is obviously not elite but it was better last year than what we’re seeing right now, and he seems hesitant at times to initiate contact which he was not for the better part of the season last year. Could be wrong but would explain some of the things we’re seeing

Yeah I’m wondering about this too.

What was he sidelined earlier in the year for? I don’t think he’s 100% tbh. He was better last year. I know there’s peaks and valleys but that’s not my feeling now.

 

[Jabba11]

So most of you here, wouldn't switch Slaf for Cooley if that was offered tomorrow?

 

[Skip Bayless]

So most of you here, wouldn't switch Slaf for Cooley if that was offered tomorrow?

I wouldn't because I'm not a jabroni.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It's funny how Slaf and Newhook get so much ire from posters on this board with little to no support to counterbalance it, but other players (not going to name names) get all the leeway in the world.

Would those unnamed players be coming off MCL and ACL tears?

Yeah, I haven’t seen any criticism on him from anyone.

Let’s stay on topic okay.

 

[Shutdown]

So most of you here, wouldn't switch Slaf for Cooley if that was offered tomorrow?

i'd sacrifice the 10-15 points that Cooley might have on Slaf in the regular season for the player i think Slaf will be in the playoffs. when the game tightened up down the stretch last year, that's where he played his best. you need all kinds of players on a team to have success and i think Slafkovsky fits better with the structure of the team.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He is already a player who can easily put 50-60 points. Even if he start low this year, he is on pace to put 50 points. That's really not bad.

This guy can explode anytime.

I'm 100% sure that with Demidov next year, Slaf will put more points.

Slaf can be a difference maker and a game changer. His abilities are too good to don't be that.

He struggled with injuries and spent a lot of time on a struggling 2nd line.

I expect a much better second half.

i'd sacrifice the 10-15 points that Cooley might have on Slaf in the regular season for the player i think Slaf will be in the playoffs. when the game tightened up down the stretch last year, that's where he played his best. you need all kinds of players on a team to have success and i think Slafkovsky fits better with the structure of the team.

Slaf also matches the profile of a player we badly need. That top six is pretty small overall. He gives it some balance.

So most of you here, wouldn't switch Slaf for Cooley if that was offered tomorrow?

Based on today? No.

Ask again in five years.

 

[Team_Spirit]

So most of you here, wouldn't switch Slaf for Cooley if that was offered tomorrow?

No he would be nowhere close to 1ppg here imo

He's playing 1C and PP1 with Keller-Schmaltz/Guenther for Utah

Here he'd be behind Suzuki on line 2 with Newhook and LW Dach/Armia (assuming Laine takes Slaf spot)

 

[Kennerback]

So most of you here, wouldn't switch Slaf for Cooley if that was offered tomorrow?

Nah. You’ll have much better luck on the main board.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

So most of you here, wouldn't switch Slaf for Cooley if that was offered tomorrow?

No way. No interest what so ever.

Slaf will be fine. He’s 20. His development has not ended.

Technically is the brain even fully developed yet at 20?

 

[WinterLion]

Technically is the brain even fully developed yet at 20?

I really hope not