Juraj Slafkovsky's potential and NHL comparisons
The Montreal Canadiens recent first overall draft selection at the 2022 NHL Draft on July 6 in Montreal has garnered hype, and sparked conversation regarding Slafkovsky's characteristics.
Below are five assessment categories to analyze who Slafkovsky compares to, and what has drawn these comparisons.
Hands - The Slovakian winger uses soft, and subtle touches for a big man; he often overpowers opponents, and slips the puck around them with telephone booth stickhandling skills. The hands at 6'3» and 18-years-old resemble that of Evgeni Malkin. Slafkovsky can maneuver in tight spaces coraling bouncing pucks with a nifty reception before toe-dragging into a dangerous scoring opportunity.
Stickhandling comparable is Malkin, while shot set-up and release resembles a Panarin or Ovechkin.
Shot - Juraj's shot is accurate, quick and leaps off of his stick, Juraj implements a shooters mentality with a quick whippy-like releases. Slafkovsky's stick bends - providing a whip-like action; leaving goalies looking stunned, with Slafkovsky still having room to grow, his shot still has room for growth. A comparable to Slafkovsky's shot is a Rantanen-Barkov like follow through, with a release similar to Elias Pettersson.
Skating - Juraj's stance and tall frame, along with his powerful core and legs emulate a skating style likened to a Peter Forsberg or Aleksander Barkov, with an explosive top-gear and powerful first few steps resembling Leon Draisaitl and Roope Hintz. Juraj's slightly upward stance, and long torso looks like a Draisaitl/Jagr hybrid. I am not suggesting Slafkovsky will ever reach their accomplishments, these are just comparables based on appearance and style.
IQ - Slafkovsky is a thinker, but he loves to use his large frame to win puck battles and his brain takes over with open space. Difficult passes, and high-danger plays along with an ability to be where the puck is going to be to finish plays off. Slafkovsky wins puck battles regularly along the boards against men in the Finnish professional men's league (LIiga) cutting off threats in his own zone, transitioning the puck up through the neutral zone and creating high danger chances for his team. Comparables are Jaromir Jagr for playmaking and passing, Offensively Juraj's has a two-way player mind, Anze Kopitar-like.
Strength - Like Barkov, Jagr, Rantanen and Jamie Benn - Slafkovsky puts opponents on his back; before creating high strength chances. Heavy, strong stick work and board-play help Slafkovsky steal pucks, and transition the puck out of his zone. Ryan O'Rielly, Kopitar and Barkov's selke-level play and mind aren't quite where Juraj is at, but he has the tools and strength to reach a high-level and get-by in the league.
Tune-in to Canadiens training camp in late August to watch Slafkovsky start his NHL journey.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Slavofsky will be better than Shane Wright? | ||
| Slafovsky will be much better | 88 | 45.4 % |
| Shane Wright will be better! | 41 | 21.1 % |
| I�m unsure | 65 | 33.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
