Born: 2004-03-30
Team: TPS U18
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 219
REPORT: LUKKO @ TPS U18, OCTOBER 16, 2020
Slafkovsky played in his first U18 game of the 2020-21 season. Considering the way he played last season and his U20 league experience from this year, it was no surprise that he was one of the best players today. The 6’4″, 219-pound winger scored two goals and the first one, a power play tally, was a great display of his offensive awareness and shooting ability. He has a quick release on his wrist shot which makes him a threat from further out. But he could also be straight forward and drive to the net when needed. He has soft hands and can stickhandle in small spaces with ease. He also showed good hand-eye coordination around the net. There was one shift in the second period where he was very strong on the puck and extremely tough to move off it. He can use wide body well and reach as leverage. Another thing he does well is drawing defenders to him before finding the open man in the offensive zone. Slafkovsky is a powerful skater, but could improve his first-step quickness and mobility. Neither is an issue, but if he can bring another gear to his skating, he will be even more dangerous offensively and in transitions.
REPORT: TPS @ JOKERIT U18, OCTOBER 5, 2019
Slafkovsky was the best player on the TPS U18 team in a 5-2 win over Jokerit. The 2004 born Slovakian oozed skill and was around the puck a lot, generating offense in majority of his shifts. Capable of creating offense with slick hands in traffic, he had a soft touch on the puck, as well as great vision and offensive instincts. He played a mature game with the puck and he was aware of his passing options. Even though Slafkovsky had a superb game offensively, his play without the puck was also very impressive. He had a good stick, applied back pressure and made his presence felt. He had a knack for taking away time and space and creating turnovers. Moreover, he had surprisingly quick feet, pretty good mobility and backwards skating ability. He finished the game with two goals – one of them being an empty netter – and two assists. Slafkovsky has a lot of potential and an intriguing package of skill, smarts and situational toughness.