yesterday 14:40
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Slovak hockey forward Juraj Slafkovský did not experience an ideal debut season in the overseas NHL, considering that the Montreal Canadiens club chose him in the first place in the rookie draft last year.
The 18-year-old from Košice collected 10 points (4+6) in 39 games, but played mostly in the fourth formation. Overseas expert Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now called his rookie year a failure.
“Considering all the circumstances, I think Slafkovski’s season is a failure. He has the lowest average ice time of any regular player in Montreal, which certainly did not benefit his development. An elite player cannot improve with minimal space in the fourth formation. He also missed games due to suspension and injury,” wrote Dumont about the young Slovak, who will probably not play again this year due to an injury in the lower part of the body.
“In hindsight, the decision not to let him go to the World Junior Championships is at least questionable, as is the club’s hesitancy to send him to the AHL to gain confidence there. However, I think Slafkovský is mentally strong enough to quickly forget a frustrating season. His first year is disappointing, but most of the factors he couldn’t control. It’s too early to tell if it will negatively affect him in the future. He’s the youngest player in the NHL and he’s still just at the beginning of his development. He’s far from the first player to have a wild first season in the NHL, “ Dumont added.
Before the current injury, Juraj Slafkovský had not scored in 15 consecutive games since December 14 and had not scored in 21 duels without interruption since December 1. According to initial forecasts, he should miss Montreal until April 13, when the elimination part will be played in the pro league. However, the Canadiens are among the weakest teams in the competition and are unlikely to make it to the playoffs.
