Predictions vary. Even the usually well-informed experts of Canadian TV station TSN disagree. Bob McKenzie sees Slafkovski as number one, Craig Button puts long-time favorite Shane Wright in first spot.
While the native of Burlington, Ontario is establishing himself among his peers, Slafkovský from Košice has already made a huge splash in the adult category. And immediately at the international level. At the age of eighteen, he was the best scorer and the most valuable player of the Olympic tournament in Beijing, and with seven goals he signed a sensational Slovak bronze medal. At the world championship in Finland, he then became the most productive Slovak (3+6). An obvious thing at first glance. Where was Wright at the time? Played in the junior OHL playoffs.
Juraj Slafkovský in TPS Turku jersey.Photo: @_hcke_
“It is difficult to compare us (with Slafkovský). We are both competitive, but we have slightly different qualities. I think we can each bring slightly different positives to our teams,” Wright noted.
While Slovak pride is bigger and stronger, Wright offers a more comprehensive concept and also a lot of room for further improvement. From Montreal, which won the draft lottery as a band-aid for a disastrous season and is picking first, there are voices that the Canadiens can’t really afford to take the risk and take Slafkovski. Although he currently appears ready to play in the NHL right from next season.
For two years in a row, club general managers drafted from their office computers due to covid. When Canadiens fans fill the aisles of the Montreal arena, Wright, who has been at the top of the charts for a long time and as a Canadian, should receive a warm welcome. Even from the office of the Montreal general manager, Kent Hughes, it is heard that the center from the Kingston Frontenacs is a safer choice for the club in the long term.
The last Slovakian drafted by Montreal was Martin Réway in the 4th round in 2013, a player with tremendous potential who, due to his complex nature and lack of training habits, missed his chance to play in the NHL.
“Slafkovský had rocket progress, you rarely see that. Every time he comes to the club, he seems bigger and bigger to me,” says Oto Haščák, assistant to the general manager of the Slovak national team. “Miro Šatan told him he was a baby gorilla,” laughs the former representative and former long-term NHL scout. Slafkovský is officially 192 centimeters and 99 kilograms. Nine centimeters shorter and nine kilos lighter, Wright would not have an easy time with him somewhere at the bar.
| Slovaks in the top 10 drafts |
|---|
| 1992 – Róbert Petrovicky (9th place, Hartford) |
| 1999 – Branislav Mezei (10th, NY Islanders) |
| 2000 – Marián Gáborík (3rd, Minnesota) |
| 2004 – Boris Valábik (10th, Atlanta). |
But the key choice is up to Canadiens management. And they are waiting for her mainly in New Jersey, ready to grab the Slovak miracle from the second position.
Even if Slafkovský does not become number one, it would still be a historic draft for Slovakia. After all, defender Šimon Nemec is a contender for the top 5, and the name of forward Filip Mešár can be heard before the end of the first round. There is something to look forward to.
