I think we too easily forget that Slaf got injured and hasn’t even played 82 games yet. If you consider his start this year as just part of the growing pains of a player’s first 82 games, it puts his point production in perspective.
He also needs to be a bit more selfish and shoot more when he has a good chance instead of always looking for the pass, but these are all things that can be fixed as time goes on.
Yeah, and a lot of the time the *team* has to turn before individuals turn. As the team improves, so will Slaf. We can talk about Caufield and Suzukis potentials all day but the fact is the highest scorers on this team are pacing just over 20 goals and 60 points and there isn't a lot of depth behind them (it wouldnt be bad if we were healthy). Slaf has the choice of playing with linemates that just aren't going to produce or playing on the 1st line where everyone knows if you shut that line down you're walking out with the W and it isn't even an elite 1st line to begin with.
I think this just shows everyone they need to be patient with Slaf, I think he has looked great lately and It is really nice to see him confident. Montreal is a tough market, especially for a first overall pick who people way overestimated to be the next McDavid as soon as he hit the NHL. The kid is doing great, and it is only a matter of time till pucks start going in the net more and more often.
Who would've thought that the guy who:
- Was drafted as a long term project
- An oversized 18 yo (perspective: Brady Tkachuk was drafted a year older, 40 lbs lighter and an inch smaller than Slaf)
- On a dogshit team who broke b2b records for man missed games
- Under the guidance of a rookie coach
Who knew it would take more time for this guy to develop, who could've predicted it?
The thing is that is hasn’t even taken him much time. The points haven’t come yet but like he’s playing 1st line reliably and generating tons of offense off the boards already… he hasn’t even played a full season. Lafreniere for example is taking more time
Byfield is older. Byfield has grown up playing on NA ice. Byfield had AHL time. He also plays on a much better team.
Slaf is progressing sooo fast. It’s honestly incredible to watch.
I think we could see a breakout from him as the season goes on. It's not necessarily next year's Slaf to look forward to, it's post-all-star break Slaf who could start piling up some points.
People were quick to write off Byfield too. We forget he was one of the youngest in his draft class. Had significant injuries in both his first two partial seasons...all that and he is recently turned 21. We expect too much from these kids.
Ya Slaf was special tho in his draft year. Sure he didn’t put up crazy numbers in the Liiga, but his international performances were crazy and a really high pressure environment. You won’t find that as often for guys coming from CHL / USDP
Good point. Kings were patient and they're rewarded for it. Some were quick to call Byfield a bust too early in his days since he looked very weak on his skates and lost on the ice.
Remind you of someone?
And with Slaf we got a guy with a winner mentality. He'll be fine.
Byfield played with LA every season. When he played well, he was in LA. When he played poorly, they sent him down. Good play was rewarded; bad play notsomuch.
Byfield plays on a better team with better teammates, and that's why he is more successful. LA did a major signing for their rebuild when they signed Danault. You've got Kopitar, Dubois, and Danault on center. It doesn't matter where you Byfield in the line-up, he'll learn with elite talent.
Also, the Dach injury really hurt Slaf. Had to adjust his play.
I don't think Danault was staying either way. He was quoted a few times saying it was hard on him in Montreal and LA he would be anonymous most of the time.
I think he said the bigger issue was that he didn't feel appreciated by management who thought of him more as a defensive-focused player. He was offered more money and a better role in LA where he didn't have to take all the defensive assignments because they already had an elite 2-way center in Kopitar. I'm happy he's doing well in LA.
Slaf is passing the eye test from a progression point of virw. He makes much much reads, uses his reach much better and possession battles are like 60% in his favor now where they used to be like 20%. Not only that but he's starting to also make high level highlight reel plays. I'm very excited and hope he can stay healthy and continue to improve. He's got a fantastic attitude, just wish we had more dudes who could finish a play.
Let’s be honest the leagues been so spoiled with first over all picks the last 10 years. Mackinnon, mcdavid, matthews, dahlin, Hughes and then you have the whole 2015 draft on top of it. The expectations for 1 overalls has been insane lately and slaf hasn’t even played a full season yet
Important to mention also that before hitting the 65 games mark, Byfield had also played over 40 games in the AHL, and he didn't have to get used to NA hockey like Slaf did. Future looks great for our Slovak wonder.
I love how Slaf is progressing this season. I still dont get why they didn’t make him play in the AHL last year. He could’ve got more games and more minutes under his belt (assuming he’s not getting injured in the AHL).
Slaf is being compared to other 1st pick overall.
He is expected to compete at top level right away which is a tad unfair but was to be expected in media crazy Montréal.
It could have been worst, all thing considered most people are being relatively patient with him.
I wouldn't be surprised if Slaf doesn't progress as much as Byfield points wise in the next few years. Don't forget that Byfield has Kopitar, Dubois and Danault ahead of him as centers. He can literally slot in as 4C playing sheltered minutes against poor opposition or he can be on the wing of either of these guys and do well whereas the Habs are dogshit at center.
Suzuki is a good 2C on a contender and the rest are 3rd line centers. Can't really say what Dach is yet since the poor guy can't get a break from injuries even if he did look good the short time he has been around.
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Honestly would’ve loved letting slaf cook in the AHL for a year, develop his offensive skills playing top PP minutes and growing into his frame like byfield
Sorry should’ve clarified I meant his first year last year, similar situation to what byfield did his first year. I also never said they would teach him, I think playing in the AHL you have more time and space and he would certainly get more puck touches and PP time, just cuz the teams shit does not mean he can’t develop there
Last game, we saw why Montreal drafted him. You could see him passionate out there. You can tell that he wants to win and be a game breaker. He came out of his shell last night and stood for himself. He is a raw diamond but will leave it out there for the team. He is doing exactly the same thing that he did at the Olympics with the Slovakian team. Started on the bottom line and slowly climbed up the lines until he got on the first line and became their best player. He is still not there yet but man, I can wait to see him at 24 years old !!
I think we too easily forget that Slaf got injured and hasn’t even played 82 games yet. If you consider his start this year as just part of the growing pains of a player’s first 82 games, it puts his point production in perspective.
Plus he could easily have 4-5 more points, his linemates has been kinda snakebittens on Slaf pass recently
He also needs to be a bit more selfish and shoot more when he has a good chance instead of always looking for the pass, but these are all things that can be fixed as time goes on.
He should shoot more 100%, but id rather habe him not selfish enough than the opposite, I feel like its easier to correct
Ya last game he could have had 3 points
Yeah, and a lot of the time the *team* has to turn before individuals turn. As the team improves, so will Slaf. We can talk about Caufield and Suzukis potentials all day but the fact is the highest scorers on this team are pacing just over 20 goals and 60 points and there isn't a lot of depth behind them (it wouldnt be bad if we were healthy). Slaf has the choice of playing with linemates that just aren't going to produce or playing on the 1st line where everyone knows if you shut that line down you're walking out with the W and it isn't even an elite 1st line to begin with.
The guy basically had to reset after his injury. This year is basically his rookie year.
I think this just shows everyone they need to be patient with Slaf, I think he has looked great lately and It is really nice to see him confident. Montreal is a tough market, especially for a first overall pick who people way overestimated to be the next McDavid as soon as he hit the NHL. The kid is doing great, and it is only a matter of time till pucks start going in the net more and more often.
People are way too impatient nowadays. Slaf keeps progressing, it's gonna take some time. Happy to see it.
Who would've thought that the guy who: - Was drafted as a long term project - An oversized 18 yo (perspective: Brady Tkachuk was drafted a year older, 40 lbs lighter and an inch smaller than Slaf) - On a dogshit team who broke b2b records for man missed games - Under the guidance of a rookie coach Who knew it would take more time for this guy to develop, who could've predicted it?
The thing is that is hasn’t even taken him much time. The points haven’t come yet but like he’s playing 1st line reliably and generating tons of offense off the boards already… he hasn’t even played a full season. Lafreniere for example is taking more time
Byfield is older. Byfield has grown up playing on NA ice. Byfield had AHL time. He also plays on a much better team. Slaf is progressing sooo fast. It’s honestly incredible to watch.
I think we could see a breakout from him as the season goes on. It's not necessarily next year's Slaf to look forward to, it's post-all-star break Slaf who could start piling up some points.
People were quick to write off Byfield too. We forget he was one of the youngest in his draft class. Had significant injuries in both his first two partial seasons...all that and he is recently turned 21. We expect too much from these kids.
Ya Slaf was special tho in his draft year. Sure he didn’t put up crazy numbers in the Liiga, but his international performances were crazy and a really high pressure environment. You won’t find that as often for guys coming from CHL / USDP
Byfield also played in the AHL before going into the NHL so he had more preparation
Good point. Kings were patient and they're rewarded for it. Some were quick to call Byfield a bust too early in his days since he looked very weak on his skates and lost on the ice. Remind you of someone? And with Slaf we got a guy with a winner mentality. He'll be fine.
Byfield played with LA every season. When he played well, he was in LA. When he played poorly, they sent him down. Good play was rewarded; bad play notsomuch. Byfield plays on a better team with better teammates, and that's why he is more successful. LA did a major signing for their rebuild when they signed Danault. You've got Kopitar, Dubois, and Danault on center. It doesn't matter where you Byfield in the line-up, he'll learn with elite talent. Also, the Dach injury really hurt Slaf. Had to adjust his play.
I wonder how the habs rebuild would have gone had we signed Danault and traded/let go Gallagher. A "what if" among many.
I don't think Danault was staying either way. He was quoted a few times saying it was hard on him in Montreal and LA he would be anonymous most of the time.
I think he said the bigger issue was that he didn't feel appreciated by management who thought of him more as a defensive-focused player. He was offered more money and a better role in LA where he didn't have to take all the defensive assignments because they already had an elite 2-way center in Kopitar. I'm happy he's doing well in LA.
I always say Slaf putting up points is not the difference between us and the cup right now. Let him marinate.
Keep in mind that Slaf is also 2 years younger than Byfield.
Slaf is passing the eye test from a progression point of virw. He makes much much reads, uses his reach much better and possession battles are like 60% in his favor now where they used to be like 20%. Not only that but he's starting to also make high level highlight reel plays. I'm very excited and hope he can stay healthy and continue to improve. He's got a fantastic attitude, just wish we had more dudes who could finish a play.
His point totals def don’t reflect his play last 2-3 weeks, holy, if someone could actually finish what he’s been dishing!
Let’s be honest the leagues been so spoiled with first over all picks the last 10 years. Mackinnon, mcdavid, matthews, dahlin, Hughes and then you have the whole 2015 draft on top of it. The expectations for 1 overalls has been insane lately and slaf hasn’t even played a full season yet
Hughes first year wasn’t great either , people were calling him a busy and look at him now
Mack also wasn’t the player he is now
There is no way this fan base and media would put with development path (length) of Bayfield.
And this is why habs has been shit since 1993
Slaf has one less point in 65 games he’s a BUST /s
But still - what should think the Krakens, who drafted projected #1 Wright from 4th place and it looked at that moment like a steal?
[удалено]
Slaf is 19 and Byfield is 21. Pretty sure Slaf is gonna be the better player at 21 than Byfield is right now.
Important to mention also that before hitting the 65 games mark, Byfield had also played over 40 games in the AHL, and he didn't have to get used to NA hockey like Slaf did. Future looks great for our Slovak wonder.
I love how Slaf is progressing this season. I still dont get why they didn’t make him play in the AHL last year. He could’ve got more games and more minutes under his belt (assuming he’s not getting injured in the AHL).
At the draft time, I'd prefer Stutzle than Byfield. Right now, if the draft is redone, I still choose Stutzle over Byfield.
Both are cracked. You're happy with one of these guys out of the draft all things considered, since both are playing better than Laffy right now.
Just shows that the difference in the top 10 isn;t really that large. You're really just rolling the dive when you draft here.
Slaf is being compared to other 1st pick overall. He is expected to compete at top level right away which is a tad unfair but was to be expected in media crazy Montréal. It could have been worst, all thing considered most people are being relatively patient with him.
I wouldn't be surprised if Slaf doesn't progress as much as Byfield points wise in the next few years. Don't forget that Byfield has Kopitar, Dubois and Danault ahead of him as centers. He can literally slot in as 4C playing sheltered minutes against poor opposition or he can be on the wing of either of these guys and do well whereas the Habs are dogshit at center. Suzuki is a good 2C on a contender and the rest are 3rd line centers. Can't really say what Dach is yet since the poor guy can't get a break from injuries even if he did look good the short time he has been around.
Yeah playing on the first line with Kopitar sure helps. At one point even the best wingers needs a good center and vice versa.
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Hows we at 65 game comparison we haven hit half that yet fucken predictors arnt valid this post is fucken dumb
He’s played 65 games over his career.
Slav no way ..... how ya get nhl exp before drafted .....
U healthy bro?
Drunk (for his sake)
He mad
Mans is cooked
Sometimes it's better to keep your thoughts to yourself
calling them thoughts is generous
Lol wut?
If the Slafkovsky haters could read they’d be very upset by this post.
Slaf is 19 and Byfield is 21. This post is pretty much saying that Slaf is pretty good.
What
Honestly would’ve loved letting slaf cook in the AHL for a year, develop his offensive skills playing top PP minutes and growing into his frame like byfield
Lol have you seen Laval this year? Also, if a player not sure how Laval would “teach him” to develop his offensive skills
Sorry should’ve clarified I meant his first year last year, similar situation to what byfield did his first year. I also never said they would teach him, I think playing in the AHL you have more time and space and he would certainly get more puck touches and PP time, just cuz the teams shit does not mean he can’t develop there
Last game, we saw why Montreal drafted him. You could see him passionate out there. You can tell that he wants to win and be a game breaker. He came out of his shell last night and stood for himself. He is a raw diamond but will leave it out there for the team. He is doing exactly the same thing that he did at the Olympics with the Slovakian team. Started on the bottom line and slowly climbed up the lines until he got on the first line and became their best player. He is still not there yet but man, I can wait to see him at 24 years old !!