So far in December it’s running like a well oiled machine. If he continues with his set pace, he probably won’t be seeing his friends from the junior national team anytime soon.
Photo: Profmedia
Juraj Slafkovský with the Montreal Canadiens jersey.
Juraj Slafkovský once again improved his statistics in the overseas NHL. Slovak hockey super talent he contributed to Montreal’s 4-2 win over Seattle with an assist and scored in the third of their last four games.
A battle of stellar rookies
The match on the ground of the third best team in the Western Conference had a particular flavor for the 18-year-old from Košice. He met Shana Wright for the first time on the ice in a one-on-one match.
For many months, the young Canadian was the expected pick of the NHL draft in July. For most fans, it was unthinkable that Montreal, who was picking first, would reach out to anyone else.
Photo: Profimedia
727899896 wright nhl Shane Wright vs Seattle Kraken.
But the Canadiens bosses double counted and just before the draft decided that Slafkovský would be a better pick.
Disappointed Wright “went” to fourth place. He was overtaken by runner-up Šimon Nemec (New Jersey), as well as American Logan Cooley (Arizona).
“I had a little more motivation, but I didn’t particularly notice it. I tried to approach the duel against the Canadiens like any other game,” Wright said after the fight with the club that rejected him in the draft.
Read more Only Slafkovsky remains. Wright is done with the NHL for now
The smart center was full of activity from the start. In the 16th minute he went from the post and scored the first goal in the professional league. Among the elite he managed to play 8 games with a record of 1 + 1. By comparison, Slafkovský already has 21 meetings and a productivity of 4+4.
However, the Canadiens responded in a flash and after three accurate shots in the second period brought the victory to their side. They take five points from the away game of four games.
Slafkovský assisted Josh Anderson’s goal, which made it 3:1. He confirmed that he is thriving in the newly formed partnership with Anderson and center Sean Monahan.
The Montreal bosses will decide
The name of the best scorer of the Beijing Olympic tournament with a possible participation in the next world championship of hockey players under 20 is also mentioned.
The Junior WC will take place from December 26 to January 5 in the Canadian cities of Halifax and Moncton.
Slovakia will be represented in Group B in the company of peers from the USA, Finland, Switzerland and Latvia. It stands to reason that if the Slovaks start with Slafkovský, their chances of a more significant result would greatly increase.
Overseas reporters also asked Canadiens head coach Martin St. Luisa. The former striker replied bluntly: “That’s not a question for me. You have to ask our general manager, Kent Hughes.”
The management of the Slovak national team still believes that they will build the strongest possible team in Canada.
“The final Menoslov is open, as we have several lucrative names in the game. At the moment it is difficult to gauge the news about them, but I will say that no club has given us a definitive yes or no yet,” said Ivan Feneš, coach of the 1920s, after the publication of the preliminary nomination.
However, if Slafkovský continues his performance in December, the chances of Montreal releasing him for the championship will quickly disappear.
Photo: Profimedia
Juraj Slafkovsky Teammate Sean Monahan congratulates Juraj Slafkovský on his goal on the ice in Calgary.
The skilled striker proves that he is already one of the team’s important players, and when you add to that injuries to other forwards, he is almost indispensable to the squad.
The Canadiens will now enjoy a short break, with their next matchup on Dec. 11 against Los Angeles.
Germany is leader at the MSJ
New Jersey also released its list of players battling it out for participation in the MSJ Wednesday night European time.
Slovakian fans will be happy that the Devils have also released Šimon Nemec.
The capable defender, whom New Jersey selected second in their July draft, should be among the leaders of the Slovakian national team.
German currently works at the Devils farm in the Utica Comets club. The AHL club confirmed Nemc’s release on Twitter:
