The Rise of Juraj Slafkovský: A Game-Changer for the Montreal Canadiens

2024-01-29 22:16:56

A few months ago, the name Pierre-Luc Dubois was very popular in Montreal. We will remember that he asked to be traded, and clearly, the CH was in the race for his services.

Even Kent Hughes, who could not say it explicitly, implied it quite clearly during a press briefing. There was interest on the part of the Canadian, and one could assume that it was reciprocal.

The question, however, was knowing the price to pay. Rumors suggested that it would look like a package which would include Kirby Dach… but the name of Juraj Slafkovský had also been circulating a bit.

In the end, it was to the Los Angeles Kings that Dubois was traded… and so far, it’s been pretty catastrophic, while PLD has only 20 points in 47 games and has a differential of -16.

And when we look at these numbers, we realize that at mid-season, Slafkovský has literally as many points as him. There is a two-game difference between the two, but we agree that it is minimal.

And while Dubois’ season is seen as a disaster for the Kings, just about everyone sees the season as Slavs as a huge positive point of the 2023-24 season for the Canadian.

And it makes sense: the Slovak is only 19 years old and less than a hundred games of experience in the NHL, while PLD is 25 years old and is approaching 500 games in the circuit. When a 19-year-old kid “joins” the production of a veteran who is in the first year of an eight-year contract at $8.5 million per year, let’s say that it makes Kent Hughes look good not to have offered Slaf to the Jets for the services of Dubois.

If we continue to play the game of comparisons, we will also notice that Slafkovský has more points than Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who only has 18 points in 48 games this season (including only three points in the last two months).

And as for Logan Cooley, who is the same age as Slavs and that the Coyotes did not hesitate to tout as the eighth wonder of the world at the start of the season (making fun of Slafkovský a little by the gang), we are talking about fairly comparable seasons: Cooley has a little more points (25 , against the 20 of Slavs), but the Slovakian has seven goals on his record while Cooley has six.

It’s especially the trend that is interesting: Cooley has slowed down after a huge start to the season, while Slafkovský has been taking off for two months while we are finally seeing the points arrive.

Whether comparing him to a name to which he was linked in a possible transaction (Dubois), another former big hope of the club (Kotkaniemi) or a direct rival of the 2022 vintage (Cooley), Slafkovský’s recent successes make them look good.

And that must make managers happy at the Canadian.

A lot of

– It is really impressive.

Sam Montembeault’s even strength numbers the past two seasons have been pretty incredible:

.918SV%, tied 12th with Vasilevskiy, Fleury
+26.44 Goals Saved Above Expected, 5th in NHL

He’s genuinely STEALING game after game. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/P9RORh3IUt

— Nathan “Grav” (@NathanGraviteh) January 29, 2024

– Interesting.

It is in the Czech Republic that Nicolas Beaudin will finish the season and we should not rule out a return to North America next season. @TVASports

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) January 29, 2024

– A message that must resonate in the CH locker room.

Coach Marty St-Louis on his relentless drive as an NHL player

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— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 29, 2024

– Obviously.

Rivalry Series | Marie-Philip Poulin leads the Canadian delegation

— La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) January 29, 2024

– To read.

Sheldon Kennedy on Hockey Canada: ‘Incidents happen in systems that are unwilling to change’
My latest for ⁦@TheAthletic⁩

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 29, 2024

– Aaron Hicks rejoint les Angels.