This season, Juraj Slafkovský has really come into his own in Montreal. After a timid start, the young Slovakian began to dominate in the second half of the season, forming a solid line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
Clearly, then, Slaf has shown that he’s part of the team’s future plans. Even more impressive, though, was seeing that he showed a lot of leadership for a kid his age.
Let’s not forget that he only turned 20 on March 30.
And in his Sportsnet piece of the day, Eric Engels answered an Internet user’s question about whether Slafkovský could possibly become an assistant to captain Nick Suzuki in 1-2 years’ time:
I absolutely believe it. – Eric Engels
Could Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis reunite in Montreal?@EricEngels answers your questions in a new Canadiens Mailbag. https://t.co/IuAMBb5LBf
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 29, 2024
Matheson is under contract for two more years, while Gallagher has three years left on his contract. Obviously, the guys could be traded before the end of their pact, just as they could extend their stay in town. But right now, it’s the long-term situation for both guys.
On the other hand, as Engels explains, Slaf is already a leader without needing a letter on the front of his sweater. Leadership is coming out of his ears (as we saw at the most recent World Championship, when he wore Slovakia’s colors), even if he’s not an assistant captain at the moment.
That said, it’s a good sign that people are already beginning to believe that the 20-year-old could become an assistant captain in just a few years’ time. For a youngster who is in the long-term plans for the future, seeing such character at his age is a very promising sign.
In bursts
– Well done.
Minnesota wins the first Walter Cup in LPHF history!https://t.co/nUtaP8acqF pic.twitter.com/SNVv1x1R7i
– RDS (@RDSca) May 30, 2024
– It’s going to feel good.
A first win since April 13 for CF Montreal! pic.twitter.com/4romjikcBU
– RDS (@RDSca) May 30, 2024
– What do you think?
If the 2020 draft had to be redone, would you pick Alexis Lafrenière or Tim Stützle?
Les Amateurs de sports with @LangloisMario
98.5 FM | https://t.co/ombAm7kmJx
pic.twitter.com/epCFykDKXx– 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) May 30, 2024
– Could the Montreal Grand Prix move to Toronto? [TVA Sports]
– Sheldon Keefe will get a taste of the “real NHL” now that he’s away from Toronto.
Sheldon Keefe reflects on ‘honour’ of coaching Maple Leafs and getting to coach in the ‘real’ NHL https://t.co/XgPgexUxue
– Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) May 29, 2024
– It will be up to him to relaunch the organization.
He’s already been the team’s interim head coach since January. https://t.co/Xc5ZrC8cWb
– AlleyOop360 (@AlleyOop360) May 30, 2024