Martin St-Louis would be surprised if Juraj Slafkovsky didn’t start the season in Montreal

Four goals and six assists in 39 games for Juraj Slafkovsky: we’ve already seen a better first season in the NHL.

I don’t want to cast the first stone, since we all know that a player of his calibre will take several years to establish himself in the NHL. That said, we understand that he needs to improve.

In fact, that’s the team’s goal.

More and more, there seems to be a groundswell of support that Slaf, because he missed the second half of the season and because he’s young, could start the season in Laval, for example.

And the question was put to Martin St-Louis.

The CH coach, who looked ready to start the season, said he would be very surprised to see Juraj Slafkovsky start the regular season anywhere but in the Habs line-up.

“I’d be very surprised if he didn’t start in Montreal” -Martin St-Louis on Slafkovsky.

– Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) September 11, 2023

It may seem obvious, but hearing the coach say it is interesting.

Why is it interesting? Because he was often asked about his line-up this morning and he wouldn’t say. We don’t know who will play on the first line, or where Kirby Dach will fit in, based on what the coach said.

To me, that says a lot about Slaf.

Martin St-Louis, in a Martin St-Louis-style statement, said that the former first overall pick (who is only 19) must learn to balance his development and his passion.

“We have to find a balance between his development and his passion for the game” – Martin St-Louis on Juraj Slafkovsky⛳️🔵⚪️🔴

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) September 11, 2023

When you kill someone’s passion, there’s bitterness that sets in for lack of pleasure. – Martin St-Louis

I have a feeling that it will be difficult for him to get top-6 minutes, so expectations can’t be the highest in the world. That said, he’ll progress in his own way.

And forgive me if, in saying that, I sound too much like Jeff Gorton or a member of the CH.

In gusto

– A new concept that won’t lead to the P-word: playoffs.

– Appointing Mike Matheson as an assistant was an easy decision.

– Josh Anderson wants a good start to the season.

– The importance of first impressions. [BPM Sports]

– Coach on Alex Newhook:

“I want to have a vision of his game in our environment” – Martin Saint-Louis on Alex Newhook ⛳️🔵⚪️🔴

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) September 11, 2023