Juraj Slafkovsky's life was forever changed when the Montreal Canadiens selected him with the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
The thought was that Slafkovsky's Olympic and world championship performances proved that he was mature beyond his years. His competitive edge and willingness to win at all costs was something the Canadiens couldn't pass up on. The fact that he is powerful and bigger than the majority of his peers also gave credence to the thought that he still had plenty of room to go before reaching his potential.
From his premonition about playing on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, to playing there and being effective. Slafkovsky has proven that he is a worthy number one overall selection. But he has also shown that he is dedicated to putting the team first, and constantly improving his game.
Reporter: “Is there something you can identify why you’re unable to kinda maintain momentum sometimes?”
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) October 30, 2024
Juraj Slafkovsky: “No but I’m sure you guys will figure it out & will write about it, (about) what’s wrong. Right now, the wrong thing is that they scored 8 times on us & we… pic.twitter.com/TpUhGmHBtK
In typical Slafkovsky fashion, he responded to journalists in his witty, joking way, but there was an extra layer of seriousness to his answer. This showed how upset he was about the loss and the fact that they would even discuss personal performance. He straddled the line between blunt and rude, essentially calling out the media for exactly what they would do.
Year three, another step up the ladder
Year one was a slow burn, mostly frustrating and a good time for the Montreal media to jump on the kid's back and question the validity of him going first overall. Year two was a big jump for the pride of Slovakia, he finished the season with 50 points and looked like a changed player. The confidence that he brought from year two into year three should set the stage for a big year.
Playing with Suzuki and Caufield is an example of being taken under some veteran's wings to adapt to the National Hockey League. Slafkovsky has shown that he meshes perfectly with the Habs' two best offensive players, and provides them with the size and strength needed to power a solid trio. His linemates can do their thing offensively, while Slafkovsky wins board battles and 50/50 puck races to set up plays.
If all goes well, I think Slafkovsky will take another big step toward becoming an integral piece of Habs leadership. Whether or not he sports a letter on his jersey is irrelevant, because he plays for the crest on his sweater and not the name on the back. Slafkovsky may not reach his full potential for another season or two, but he will certainly continue growing and improving his all-around game.