Juraj Slafkovsky and the Montreal Canadiens are within the driver’s seat to safe the ultimate wildcard spot within the Japanese Convention.
What was as soon as a wild race involving 5 groups has been damaged open by the Canadiens’ latest five-game successful streak. With a 38-30-8 document and 85 factors, Montreal holds a six-point cushion on Detroit and New York because the season winds right down to a detailed.
The Habs have not made the playoffs for the reason that 2020-21 marketing campaign; nevertheless, for followers in Montreal and a few of its younger gamers, it is felt for much longer. First total choose from the 2022 draft, Juraj Slafkovsky, has by no means been this shut to creating the postseason, and he is ensuring they by no means look again.
Priyanta Emrith posted what Slafkovsky needed to say throughout his media availability on Tuesday on X (previously Twitter).
“It sucks to suck and we don’t wish to suck. It is a good spot we’re in proper now and we simply have to make use of it to our benefit and show ourselves that we’re the place we wish to be and that we belong there… we wish to be winners not losers,” Slafkovsky stated.
Juraj Slafkovsky is within the ultimate season of his three-year, $2,850,000 entry-level contract this 12 months. His eight-year, $60,800,000 contract extension signed with the Canadiens this summer time kicks in to start out the 2025-26 season. Montreal hopes that his $7.6 million common annual wage will appear to be a discount because the wage cap continues to extend shifting ahead.
Juraj Slafkovsky is creating into an elite energy ahead
After a really troublesome rookie season, Juraj Slafkovsky has proven main enhancements in his recreation during the last two years within the NHL.
Regardless of a sluggish begin to the 12 months, the 21-year-old is on tempo for a career-best season, with 48 factors (17 targets, 31 assists) via 74 video games to this point. Slafkovsky has additionally begun to make use of his 6’3, 225-pound body to his benefit, delivering 184 hits on the season.
After watching the 4 Nations Face-Off he talked about in an interview that to have success within the league, he should play like Brady Tkachuk. Whereas he isn’t there but, Juraj Slafkovsky is nicely on his strategy to turning into one of many higher energy forwards in hockey and nonetheless has loads of room to develop.
Slafkovsky and the Canadiens are again in motion for an additional essential recreation on Tuesday night time as they host the Detroit Purple Wings. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST on the Bell Centre.