Juraj Slafkovsky shares thoughts on Patrik Laine trade with NHL.com

Juraj Slafkovsky and Patrik Laine likely won't find themselves on the ice together often at even-strength for the Montreal Canadiens. It could fit for both on the first powerplay, but that's what Martin St. Louis must try to figure out in training camp. However, that hasn't stopped Slafkovsky's excitement from building about the potential of Laine in Montreal. NHL.com caught up with Slafkovsky for an interview about the trade, and he made some intriguing quotes about the deal.

“I just landed in Prague [for the European media tour] and it popped up on my phone and I was so happy,” Slafkovsky said. “In 2016, I was probably 13 or 14 at that time, and I was a big fan of his, waiting to see whether he or [Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston] Matthews would go first (in the NHL Draft), so I was a fan of his back in the day. It’s good to see him join our team, and hopefully he’s excited too. I’m sure he wants to come and restart his career, and I feel like Montreal is a great place for him to do that.”

Slafkovsky seems he is already learning about the Montreal market, as he commented about the rising expectations. He is a hockey junkie, and knows all about Montreal's history, despite the Canadiens not winning a Stanley Cup in his lifetime.

“In my first two years Montreal has been calm because I think the fans know it (rebuild) is not going to happen overnight,” Slafkovsky said. “It takes time, but it’s getting to a point when they expect it to be time. We think it is time as well and I can’t wait to keep pushing towards that time when we are going to be good.”

Juraj Slafkovsky's 2024-25 Outlook

Slafkovsky grew leaps and bounds as a player in the 2023-24 season once they found a fit for him on a line with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. He recorded 50 points, a massive improvement over his ten points in his rookie season. Slafkovsky knows he must earn his recent contract extension, as the Canadiens made waves by extending his contract with an eight-year, $60.8 million deal on the first day of free agency. It seems premature to give Slafkovsky a contract like this after 60 points, but it could be a significant value deal if he continues improving on his point totals.