Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition

[HabsCowboysOwn]

He is more skilled than Tkachuk IMO, but less physical. I expect him to have a similar impact as Marian Hossa had in his prime, big talented kid that helps you win championships. Hossa took 3 seasons to reach a PPG pace, I expect a similar progression from Slaf since PF usually needs more time to develop.

Wow, those are some big ass shoes to fill but what a dream it would be. I'd like to share your optimism.

But who knows, you've been right about Slaf before.

 

[Erika]

He is more skilled than Tkachuk IMO, but less physical. I expect him to have a similar impact as Marian Hossa had in his prime, big talented kid that helps you win championships. Hossa took 3 seasons to reach a PPG pace, I expect a similar progression from Slaf since PF usually needs more time to develop.

I share your enthousiasm with the Marian Hossa compararison, but Hossa is like in the top 3 Slovakian players of all time and a hall of famer... Hossa is a workhorse and a beautiful all-around player. Slaf is not close to that at this moment, especially defensively.

That's a bit premature don't you think ?

If Slafkovsky turns out as a Marian Hossa type of player with this new core of Demidov, Suzuki and Hutson leading the way, the Habs will win a Stanley Cup guaranteed.

 

[Erika]

Wow, those are some big ass shoes to fill but was a dream it would be. I'd like to share your optimism.

But who knows, you've been right about Slaf before.

Demidov = Kane
Suzuki = Toews
Slafkovsy = Hossa
Caufield = Sharp
Hutson = Keith
Reinbacher = Seabrook
Guhle = Hjalmarsson

 

[ReHabs]

I think that argument is not valid.

Every team had 6 bottom-6 forwards and 2 third-pairing dmen. That's 8 guys. So in any given year you expect 1 or 2 to over perform.

Is the depth over performing as a whole?

The full statement is less harsh than the part you took out. My point was simply that a successful season would see Dach, Slaf, and the rest of the young core players step up rather than the team edge into the playoffs whilst being carried by the depth players who are not relevant to the future of the team. I think that much is self-evident.

If things continue to trend well, I'm sure Slaf and Dach will both have their moment in the sun this season. Our team's doing well. Slaf might even finish with a higher pt total than last year. The fact that he's been underwhelming up to this point should not be up for debate even if one believes in his future excellence to come. Whatever happens in the future is in the future, today Slaf can play much better. He's on pace for 9 goals for heaven's sake.

 

[Hins77]

Personnally, I watch Slaf as our next Landeskog over a next Rantanen. I don't think he is going to dangle 2 players and shot top cheese as Rantanen is able to do on regular basis. Slaf is more like Landeskog. Strong along the board, win puck battle and pass the puck to Suzuki and Caufield. Making dirty goal in front of the net. I think, this what Slaf is going to do. He has elite size, elite physicality, elite forechek and he is a good playmaker. We need that kind of player too.

 

[Andy]

Personnally, I watch Slaf as our next Landeskog over a next Rantanen. I don't think he is going to dangle 2 players and shot top cheese as Rantanen is able to do on regular basis. Slaf is more like Landeskog. Strong along the board, win puck battle and pass the puck to Suzuki and Caufield. Making dirty goal in front of the net. I think, this what Slaf is going to do. He has elite size, elite physicality, elite forechek and he is a good playmaker. We need that kind of player too.

Great point. I was thinking the same the other day

 

[Naslundforever]

Good simple game, used his tools. He’s so much better when moving.

Not sure what he was doing on his belly covering the wrong D on the goal but maybe it’s the system and goalies cover RHD nowadays lol.

 

[badfish]

Personnally, I watch Slaf as our next Landeskog over a next Rantanen. I don't think he is going to dangle 2 players and shot top cheese as Rantanen is able to do on regular basis. Slaf is more like Landeskog. Strong along the board, win puck battle and pass the puck to Suzuki and Caufield. Making dirty goal in front of the net. I think, this what Slaf is going to do. He has elite size, elite physicality, elite forechek and he is a good playmaker. We need that kind of player too.

Can't fight like Landeskog, but yes, I can see the rest being there potentially!

 

[V13]

Slaf may be one of those better in the second half type of players. Last year he really heated up at the end of January.

It's true that he's been average so far so let's see what happens. I suspect that he may start to play better in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Landeskog?

I’d like to see Slaf try to pattern his game after him.

First and foremost, he could add the competitiveness and intensity that Landy had early on. He was a captain before he was 20.

Maybe as Slaf matures. Landeskog was mature for his age.

 

[morhilane]

Good simple game, used his tools. He’s so much better when moving.

Not sure what he was doing on his belly covering the wrong D on the goal but maybe it’s the system and goalies cover RHD nowadays lol.

Slaf lost an edge and fell when trying to change angle to block the pass that went to Miller.

 

[70Stang]

Problem with Slaf for me is his skating. He needs to work on that. When he is moving his feet with his head up he is the player we want him to be. He seems to be scared to carry the puck.

 

[waitin425]

22 pts in 37 games so far.

I'd like to see him pot 32-34 in the next 41 games for a grand total of 54-56 points in 78 games.

It would be an upward trend and indicative of growth.

Most importantly, I want to see him embrace the role of aggressive forechecker and puck protection monster who creates time and space for the scoring threats on his line.

I've come to the realization that Slaf will never be a line driver and probably never make players worse than him better. He will however make players better than him better, if that makes sense. That is what I hope for him.

 

[Goalfield13]

22 pts in 37 games so far.

I'd like to see him pot 32-34 in the next 41 games for a grand total of 54-56 points in 78 games.

It would be an upward trend and indicative of growth.

Most importantly, I want to see him embrace the role of aggressive forechecker and puck protection monster who creates time and space for the scoring threats on his line.

I've come to the realization that Slaf will never be a line driver and probably never make players worse than him better. He will however make players better than him better, if that makes sense. That is what I hope for him.

He is on pace for 47 points, which is pretty damn good for a player still trying to figure it out. Imagine when it all clicks for an entire season?

 

[waitin425]

He is on pace for 47 points, which is pretty damn good for a player still trying to figure it out. Imagine when it all clicks for an entire season?

I think he will speed up a little bit and end up with more than 50 last year. And yes, I can imagine. I hope it clicks for him soon. We need him to be worth that big contract that starts next year!

 

[morhilane]

I think he will speed up a little bit and end up with more than 50 last year. And yes, I can imagine. I hope it clicks for him soon. We need him to be worth that big contract that starts next year!

I think we will have to wait for the 4-Nations break, I'm pretty sure he's nursing something that's slowing him/impeding his skating. That near 2 weeks break should be beneficial. Well I hope.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

22 pts in 37 games so far.

I'd like to see him pot 32-34 in the next 41 games for a grand total of 54-56 points in 78 games.

It would be an upward trend and indicative of growth.

Most importantly, I want to see him embrace the role of aggressive forechecker and puck protection monster who creates time and space for the scoring threats on his line.

I've come to the realization that Slaf will never be a line driver and probably never make players worse than him better. He will however make players better than him better, if that makes sense. That is what I hope for him.

He may not become a play driver but what’s also possible is that he becomes a far different player then he is now in a few years. Vastly improved and maybe virtually unrecognizable.

He still has an absurd amount of room to grow. Honestly he could still end up being our best player and I wouldn’t be that surprised.

I think we underestimate him still quite a bit. Last year he looked pretty fantastic.
If he becomes what I think he can we will have one of the best top 6’s in the league for years to come.

 

[sampollock]

he needs time.. but the habs need to help the process as well with extra training and support

 

[Shutdown]

kind of insane that he's still the youngest player on the team

 

[KevSkillz4]

Personnally, I watch Slaf as our next Landeskog over a next Rantanen. I don't think he is going to dangle 2 players and shot top cheese as Rantanen is able to do on regular basis. Slaf is more like Landeskog. Strong along the board, win puck battle and pass the puck to Suzuki and Caufield. Making dirty goal in front of the net. I think, this what Slaf is going to do. He has elite size, elite physicality, elite forechek and he is a good playmaker. We need that kind of player too.

I believe in Slaf offensive ability, but if he ends up a Gabriel Landeskog type of impact, that's also very very good for the rebuild.

Landeskog is a underrated player, he is such a great leader, great two-way guy, good in all 3 areas of the game.

But again, I'm very high on offensive talent of Slafkovsky, he can be very close to Rantanen//Hossa if he play in his full potential.

 

[HuGort]

Kids get paid way too much for doing Jack shit and it’s pathetic on both sides. I don’t fault him , I’d take the money too.

He doesn’t even look like he cares

Big contract he's put pressure on himself. Start squeezing the stick a little harder. Over compensation then gets frustrated. I am generally an advocate of the bridge deal. Player who's played 5 years generally much more mature.

 

[Kennerback]

There’s one player Sens fans never complain about. Not Stutzle. Not Batherson. It’s Brady Tkachuk. He’s not far off Maroon as the slowest guy in the NHL, but he has enough speed to create offense because he uses his size to create. To create more offense Slaf needs to be stronger and if need be heavier, not more lean and more swift.

 

[Habs]

There’s one player Sens fans never complain about. Not Stutzle. Not Batherson. It’s Brady Tkachuk. He’s not far off Maroon as the slowest guy in the NHL, but he has enough speed to create offense because he uses his size to create. To create more offense Slaf needs to be stronger and if need be heavier, not more lean and more swift.

I think he's strong, he has a funny skating style that gets him knocked over?

 

[Kennerback]

I think he's strong, he has a funny skating style that gets him knocked over?

Yeah. To me his skating style or balance is not in the top 3 priorities to work on. Just moving his legs would do the biggest skating difference.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Bro sold his soul to the golden arches

Goldenhands immediately downgraded him from Jagr to Hossa

Joking aside he played well vs the Nucks go Habs go ~~ bon appétit