SEARCH
SPORTS
                 


Edmonton Oilers GM Stan BowmanEdmonton Oilers Analyst Believes the Team Should Pursue Top-10 NHL Scoring Defenseman
Max Akerson, a young goaltender from Minnesota who passed away from cancer Tuesday, Nov 19Young Goaltender Max Akerson Tragically Passes Away From Terminal Disease
MONTREAL CANADIENS

Former NHLer Buries First Overall Pick Juraj Slafkovsky

PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
November 4, 2023  (6:01 PM)
SHARE THIS STORY

Being the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL comes with plenty of pressure, and while some players like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and others can overcome even the highest of expectations, that's not the case for everyone.

A slow start

image

At just 18-years of age, Slafkovsky was drafted and made his debut for one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports with the Montreal Canadiens, a very tough situation.

In his rookie campaign, Slafkovsky showed flashes of greatness, but ultimately struggled, posting just 4 goals and 10 points through 39 games, and now the pressure is seemingly on for him to develop.

Plenty of critics

His 2023-24 season hasn't started red-hot either, with just one assist through the teams first 10 games, and now, a prominent former NHLer has taken a shot at him on social media.

I watched Juraj Slafkovsky play last night at Mullet Arena. And even dating back to the 2021-22 season in the Finnish Pro League where I played against this kid. Not much has changed with his game. At the time I remember thinking.. He's built like a Ford F250 for his age, he doesn't really understand time & space (he would get lit up like he does in the National), and he has absolute blinders for vision. While only 17-18 at the time, there was a disconnect from his computer aka his brain and what his frame was. I'm not saying I'm Scotty William Bowman by any means but it seems like MTL at the time got so horny over a decent showing in an Olympics that featured no NHL players. Hindsight is always 20/20 but even a few years ago #1 overall seemed rather steep for this type of player. Be interesting to see how it pans out. Last night confirmed to my eyes what he needs, and the best thing for this young player is a jungle stint with no set timeline on it.

It's hard to argue with Schmaltz' assessment here, as Slafkovsky still has the physical gifts to be a star in the NHL, but he looks behind and overmatched on the ice in every other phase, and until he can turn it around, the Canadiens will be regretting their top pick.

POLL
NOVEMBRE 4   |   69 ANSWERS
Former NHLer Buries First Overall Pick Juraj Slafkovsky

Will Slafkovsky ever live up to the billing as a No. 1 overall pick?

Yes2130.4 %
No4869.6 %
LIST OF POLLS
MUST READ
Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman
7 hours ago  |  By Tyler Ball
Edmonton Oilers Analyst Believes the Team Should Pursue Top-10 NHL Scoring Defenseman
Max Akerson, a young goaltender from Minnesota who passed away from cancer Tuesday, Nov 19
9 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker
Young Goaltender Max Akerson Tragically Passes Away From Terminal Disease
Patrik Laine practices with the Montreal Canadiens
10 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker
Patrik Laine Involved in Scary Knee-to-Knee Collision With Teammate During Practice
Former Vancouver Canucks forward Joseph LaBate.
15 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks
Columbus Blue Jackets Place Massive 6-Foot-5 Centre on the NHL Waiver Wire
Kirby Dach of the Montreal Canadiens.
15 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks
Elliotte Friedman Links Montreal Canadiens Top-Five Pick to a Metro Team in Unexpected Trade Rumour
Unhappy Chicago Bears fans seen during an NFL game
16 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente
Chicago Bears Fire Head Coach Matt Eberflus After the Official City Account Demands He Be Replaced
New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury in a press conference.
17 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker
New York Rangers Reportedly Pursuing Trade for 100-Point Western Conference Forward
Mitch Marner in action with the Toronto Maple Leafs during a game.
18 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker
Toronto Maple Leafs Run Into Major Obstacle With Mitch Marner Contract Talks

Previously
NHL Legend to Wear Neck-Guard for the First Time Tonight
Ryan Reaves Sends the League a Threat After Embarrassing Performance Against Boston
Adam Fox's Replacement in New York Revealed
TRENDING NOW
Young Goaltender Max Akerson Tragically Passes Away From Terminal DiseaseYoung Goaltender Max Akerson Tragically Passes Away From Terminal Disease
Columbus Blue Jackets Place Massive 6-Foot-5 Centre on the NHL Waiver WireColumbus Blue Jackets Place Massive 6-Foot-5 Centre on the NHL Waiver Wire
Patrik Laine Involved in Scary Knee-to-Knee Collision With Teammate During PracticePatrik Laine Involved in Scary Knee-to-Knee Collision With Teammate During Practice
St. Louis NHL Hopeful Colin Brown Tragically Passes Away at 16 After Succumbing to Injuries From Violent CrimeSt. Louis NHL Hopeful Colin Brown Tragically Passes Away at 16 After Succumbing to Injuries From Violent Crime
Several Teams Likely No Longer Pursuing Chris Kreider After Stunning Statement From Him in New InterviewSeveral Teams Likely No Longer Pursuing Chris Kreider After Stunning Statement From Him in New Interview
pub
YESTERDAY
NOVEMBER 29, 2024
G A PTS
 Conor Garland 2 1 3
 Mason Marchment 2 1 3
 Anders Lee 1 2 3
 Kirill Marchenko 1 2 3
 Chandler Stephenson 1 2 3
 Dylan Strome 1 2 3
 Connor McMichael - 3 3
 Ivan Barbashev 2 - 2
 Ryan Donato 2 - 2
 Adam Fantilli 2 - 2
 Simon Holmstom 2 - 2
 Brett Howden 2 - 2
 Roman Josi 2 - 2
 Travis Konecny 2 - 2
 Cole Perfetti 2 - 2
 Jared Spurgeon 2 - 2
 Jake Walman 2 - 2
 Tom Wilson 2 - 2
 Shane Wright 2 - 2
 Jamie Benn 1 1 2
Complete stats
STANDINGS
2024-2025
TOP 10
GPWLOLPTS
Jets
24186-36
Wild
23154434
Devils
26168234
Capitals
23166133
Hurricanes
23166133
Golden Knights
24156333
Panthers
24149129
Kings
24138329
Stars
22148-28
Maple Leafs
22137228
Conference  |  Cumulative