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Post by maasart on Apr 16, 2024 17:22:46 GMT
I have no doubt Wright will be a decent NHL player, but i too didn't see all the hype surrounding him at the time of the draft. Every game i saw him play said average to me. Never seen him holding on to the puck like i see Slaf, nor do i see the same level of physical play. I knew very little about him when we drafted him but what impressed me was how he handled himself with the media. That one answer to the question he was asked about how he felt about beeing booed at the draft said it all for me. I'll change their minds. Classic. Agree with all of this. I think when you dont have a Bedard or a McDavid a lot of guessing goes on. In 2022 there were clearly 5 guys who were ahead of everyone else. When 2 of them are C and 2 of them are RHD its ballsy to take the winger when your biggest needs are C and RHD but I think the team made the right choice (or so it seems right now) because to them, position wasnt as important if they felt Slaf had the potential to be the best player, period. I think people were worried because they felt he was being judged mostly on the small sample size of the international competitions but clearly the team saw something else. it doesnt help that our 2 high picks (JK and Galchenyuk) both mostly flamed out. A lot of that probably has to do with development too. I mean do any of us really think Slaf would have (nearly) 50 points as a teenager in the MB system? Would Armia have bounced back after being sent to the minors? Now without the development and various coaches Gorton & Hughes have brought in, no, I dont think so.
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RCAF48
Captain Kirk
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Post by RCAF48 on Apr 16, 2024 19:19:40 GMT
A great second season for Slaf!
I think the last few games might have been tough for him since he has never played this much hockey in a season before. Hopefully he will have a good final game tonight.
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Post by maasart on Apr 16, 2024 19:31:42 GMT
A great second season for Slaf! I think the last few games might have been tough for him since he has never played this much hockey in a season before. Hopefully he will have a good final game tonight. That whole line looks gassed - especially Slaf and Suzuki (who i think may be playing hurt)
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Post by ramcharger440 on Apr 16, 2024 19:52:00 GMT
A great second season for Slaf! I think the last few games might have been tough for him since he has never played this much hockey in a season before. Hopefully he will have a good final game tonight. That whole line looks gassed - especially Slaf and Suzuki (who i think may be playing hurt) Well they have been carrying the team for most of the season! next year with a real second line and hopefully a solid third line they will have some better shots at softer coverage from time to time. I hope they finish strong as well.
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Post by jenniferrocket on Apr 17, 2024 17:24:59 GMT
50 points. Can't complain. He showed progress throughout the season. I am looking forward to continued success and improvement next year!
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Post by maasart on Apr 17, 2024 17:44:22 GMT
So slaf has 13 points in 36 games now - so, 46 more games to go (assuming he stays healthy)... what do we think he'll end the year with? He's really hit a groove since the promotion to the top line about 10 games ago. Took a couple but in the last 7 games he's got 6 points. I obviously do not expect him to continue that pace (although its possible and would be very nice!) but i do think he could probably average 4 points every 7 games which would be around 26 more points for the year. I think, if everyone stays healthy on that top line, he has a legit chance of hitting 35-40 points for the season which would be a huge confidence builder for him. He's looked like a completely different player the last month or so & boy is it a welcome change. If Caufield can actually start finishing again that would really help! This was January 2nd. I was *hoping* (but not expecting) 35+ points (for the year). 50 is incredible after that start especially. What a way to end the year. If my math is correct, 32 points in his last 35 games. Amazing turn-around.
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Post by maasart on Apr 26, 2024 20:58:05 GMT
Interesting article at the athletic (paywalled) that talks about how Slaf was considered to be the lowest-ranked 1st overall for the past 10 years. A followup piece over at LaPresse gives some extra insights. www.lapresse.ca/sports/hockey/2024-04-24/rondelle-libre/juraj-slafkovsky-le-pire-vraiment.phpInteresting to note is that this year with 50 points in 80 games he had a higher point-per-game total than Laf, higher than Hughes and almost as high as Hischier. If we cherry-pick and only count the 2nd half of the season where he got 35 points in 40 games, he's on par with Bedard and the same as Hischier at age 25! All in all, a remarkable turn around this year for the young man & i am really looking forward to seeing him start the year next season with confidence.
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Post by ramcharger440 on Apr 28, 2024 16:08:14 GMT
That old vid of him on the bike just showed up on my you tube feed, crazy how he is pretty much ripping the bike apart then they stop him and he hops off like it was nothing! I sure hope he keeps getting better because he has the potential to be great!
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Post by ramcharger440 on May 5, 2024 18:29:18 GMT
Was just over at youtube and saw the vid of Slaf getting his first hat trick, can't wait till next season to see him tear it up!
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Post by HTL on May 5, 2024 20:06:03 GMT
I read somewhere recently that he was to have some type of medical procedure, however it wasn't going to stop him from playing at the Worlds, so i guess it's pretty minor.
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regis
Le Gros Bill
Posts: 1,095
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Post by regis on Aug 19, 2024 15:38:52 GMT
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RCAF48
Captain Kirk
Posts: 359
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Post by RCAF48 on Aug 21, 2024 22:30:57 GMT
Reports are that management are being cautious with concerns about a "minor" back issue.
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regis
Le Gros Bill
Posts: 1,095
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Post by regis on Aug 21, 2024 22:45:19 GMT
👆🤦🏻♂️
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Post by ramcharger440 on Aug 21, 2024 23:22:47 GMT
Reports are that management are being cautious with concerns about a "minor" back issue. Good about time we started making some calls to keep our players from hurting themselves!
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