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Slafkovsky development: Craig Button takes aim at CH

After nine games, Juraj Slafkovsky has just one point to his name. He has yet to find the back of the net, and his offensive output is worrying.

But let’s take it a step further. I’m not afraid to say that Slaf has had a good start… But I’m also not afraid to say that the Canadiens’ hopeful has looked lost on the ice in recent games.

Especially since he’s been paired with Alex Newhook.

The combination simply doesn’t work. Newhook can’t get him to produce even though that’s his job, and when they’re both on the ice, the chances of scoring are slim (if not almost non-existent).

It’s nothing new, but the Habs are having trouble developing. We’ve seen it with Jesperi Kotkaniemi…

And the CH is making the same mistake it made with KK: Juraj Slafkovsky was thrown into the lion’s den when he wasn’t ready to play in the National League.

Craig Button was quick to criticize the Montreal organization:

The Canadiens are failing Juraj Slafkovsky. It’s a lesson that somehow hasn’t been learned.

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Juraj Slafkovsky has only 10 shots so far this season. He’s not able to create time and space for himself to score, and that’s what’s bothering me right now.

Slaf was drafted first because he’s had success on the international scene. He was brilliant at the World Championship and the Olympic Games wearing the colors of his native country (Slovakia) because he found a way to score goals and produce offensively.

The sample size may have been small, but his performance (and attitude) convinced the Tricolore’s management team.

It’s often said that confidence is a very important element in the game of an 18-19-20 year-old player, and therein lies the problem with Slaf.

He plays with his hands clenched on his stick because he’s afraid of making mistakes. And that’s what happens when a player enters the NHL too quickly.

Before long, the Habs will have to sit down and discuss the first overall pick of the 2022 draft.

Because if Slafkovsky continues to struggle and can’t find confidence, he’ll never progress.

I’m not saying this to piss anyone off, and I’m not saying it to be negative. It’s just part of reality.

It’s a nice idea to give him chances and opportunities of any kind… But he has to seize them too. Slaf won’t become good overnight if he’s constantly playing with a tight butt.

It’s going to hurt him more than anything else, in the end… And people will still say that the Habs made a mistake with a talented young player.

In gusto

– 👀

– Bravo!

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