We acknowledge that the headline may be a bit misleading upon first reading. Whether the selection of Juraj Slafkovski from the first position was a mistake or not, we really do not allow ourselves to make any guesses. The Slovak is still only eighteen years old and he can become an exceptional hockey player. However, Canadiens fans are looking for a different decision.
This is the development of a young fighter. The Canadiens are far from alone in failing to awaken dormant potential in young players drafted very high. Just ask Lafrenier in New York, Wright in Seattle or Zadina in Detroit.
Juraj Slafkovský probably also imagined his entry into the league a little differently. While most fans were sympathetic to him in the summer, things changed a bit during the season. Whether it was an emotional and vulgar outburst after the first goal scored or an ugly tackle on Detroit’s Luff.
And the much-inclined productivity? 35 games, 4 goals and 6 assists. Nothing dazzling. And certainly not at number one in the draft.
But the question arises as to whose fault it is. They usually spend around twelve minutes on the ice. Points are very difficult to collect from the third and fourth lines. Especially when you play in a below average team.
That’s why Montreal fans are starting to shout loudly for the steps of coach Martin St. Louise. He always tries to win. What the heck, the idea is nice, but obviously the effort doesn’t translate into results.
Slafkovský thus finds himself in a kind of vacuum. On the one hand, he plays the NHL. But it is obviously a worse choice for the latter. At his age, he should mainly be playing. And it doesn’t matter if it’s on a farm in Laval or maybe back in Finland. The Canadiens may have made a mistake here, plus they could have saved a year from his rookie contract.
“Playing in the NHL at 18? He is in a difficult position,” even team captain Nick Suzuki knows well. “Not many players can do that. The fact that he plays in it just shows how good he is. It’s hard for him, he wants to play and help the team. He has a lot to learn. He will be a great player for us in the future, this is just part of the process.”
The Canadiens should consider whether some time on the farm shouldn’t be part of the process. Less attention in combination with a greater workload could give Slafkovski a real kick.
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