Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar to move in together this winter

Juraj Slafkovsky arrived in Montreal last year aged just 18.

Before coming to North America, the Slovakian lived alone and took care of his own business… But the Canadiens have decided to find him a boarding family for the 2022-2023 season.

The aim, of course, was to make it easier for him to adapt to the province of Quebec, because at his age, that’s not necessarily easy.

That said, the rhetoric is about to change. Slaf stated in an interview with Slovak media that he will live alone until Filip Mesar takes up residence with him:

Everything points to Mesar playing in Laval next year, and he’ll be able to count on Slafkovsky’s support as he familiarizes himself with the city.

We know what good friends the compatriots are off the ice, so the idea makes sense.

But Slafkovsky didn’t just talk about his friend in the interview in question. He opened up about his injury, which ended his season sooner than expected…

And the first overall pick in the 2022 draft reassures us that he’s feeling fine right now. He maintains that his eight-month “absence” will not be noticeable at training camp:

Few quotes from Juraj Slafkovsky: I believe the eight-month break without games won’t be noticed. I’m flying to Montreal at the beginning of the next week and I’ll be training there. @ArponBasu @JFChaumontJDM @HabsOnReddit #GoHabsGo 📷: @DennikSport 1/n pic.twitter.com/vXYYWw8bwW

– Tomáš Prokop (@Lewysko) July 27, 2023

Juraj Slafkovsky is no fool.

He knows that in Montreal, the fans are intense because they care about the team’s success. That said, he’s aware that expectations will be higher for him next season and that, on the one hand, doesn’t worry him too much:

I’m sure they’ll expect more. I think I’m well prepared and I’ll be better than in my first year. – Juraj Slafkovsky

The kid claims to have lost weight, and I can’t wait to see how that translates to the rink. Above all, he wanted to be faster and more explosive on his skates, and that’s what he’s been working on this summer.

He may never be as fast as Paul Byron or Connor McDavid, but losing a few pounds won’t hurt him. In any case, it’s not as if he was tiny to begin with, we agree.

Burst

– It’s been rumoured since yesterday, but now it’s official. Logan Cooley has signed his entry-level contract with the Coyotes.

Welcome to the Desert, Logan! 🌵

The Arizona Coyotes have signed forward Logan Cooley to a 3-year entry-level contract. #PackLove

Full details: https://t.co/PAGG2yz538 pic.twitter.com/hgINm8Dw9w

– Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) July 27, 2023

– They’re going to be young, the Coyotes next season.

– Such kind words for Riley Kidney.

– Nice duo.

Barclay Goodrow x 21 Savage

(📸: @NYRangers) pic.twitter.com/8jyp9cV116

– BarDown (@BarDown) July 27, 2023

– Excellent news.