“toxic” media coverage in Slovakia in his eyes

We often talk about the Montreal market as being a fairly intense market. It is.

But the intensity of the market (fans, media, etc.) is not the same as elsewhere. It translates differently than in Slovakia, for example. And Juraj Slafkovsky can talk about that.

In fact, that’s precisely what he did with Arpon Basu. The journalist from The Athletic spent time with him to talk to him about his roots and you can read the result in the following text:

What we observe is that Slaf sees his life in Montreal and in Slovakia differently. Here, he is able to do his grocery shopping or go out without always being disturbed. It is a little, but not too much.

But at home?

What he says confirms what many Slovak players have said in the past: Slaf is a mega-star in Slovakia and he is never quiet. It becomes heavy for him.

In fact, he even used the word “toxic” when talking about media coverage of him at home. And it’s not something he feels when he’s in Quebec.

Obviously, it’s not a piece of cake here though. But he likes the fact that his house has not been exposed in the open here and that people do not come to his doorbell every day as is the case in Slovakia.

He finds it hard for him, but also for his family.

What I also remember from Arpon Basu’s excellent interview is that by being in Montreal, he wants to concentrate only on hockey. He clearly has the personality to make things right in Montreal.

This explains in particular why the CH drafted him.

Slaf wants to win and you can feel it. He does not hesitate to say that the Slovak national team program is not competitive enough and that you should not focus only on your personal stats to win in the NHL.

This can be seen by knowing that he could have signed for more in a few years, that he wants to win the Cup… and by seeing how he reacts, sometimes, after a defeat for his team.

He’s the kind of guy you believe when he says losing hurts him.

Since the start of camp, Slaf has been back with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. He knows he has the pressure to repeat his performances from last year (from the second half of the season, obviously) and he wants to be ready.

I’m not going to bet against Slaf. From what we generally see of him, he doesn’t seem to limit his efforts to improve. For better or worse, his bizarre summer 2023 training proves it.

Its progression between 2022 and 2024 is very notable. What will it be in 2026? To have.