Today, Shane Wright hit it hard.
Two goals scored against the San Jose Sharks, a brilliant performance which increases his total to four this season.
Meanwhile, Juraj Slafkovský, the first overall pick in the 2022 draft, is stagnant at two meager goals after 19 games.
For Montreal, this comparison is starting to become uncomfortable.
When Kent Hughes offered a massive eight-year, 60.8 million contract to Slafkovský this summer, he sent a strong signal: the Slovak is the future of CH.
But today, this bet seems risky.
With an annual salary of 7.6 million, Slafkovský not only has expectations on his shoulders, he carries the hope of a rebuilding franchise. And for now, that hope is wavering.
The performance of Shane Wright, chosen fourth overall in the 2022 draft, contrasts sharply.
After a tumultuous start to his career and numerous doubts about his ability to perform in the NHL, Wright plays today with visible determination.
These two goals against San Jose, scored in a key moment, show that he is ready to fight to prove that he deserves his place with the Sharks.
He may not have been the first pick in 2022, but he’s playing like he still has everything to prove.
And Slafkovský? Despite some flashes of brilliance in recent weeks, its overall performance leaves something to be desired.
Just two goals, no notable dominance, and an inability to turn his potential into regular production.
In a city like Montreal, where patience is not a common virtue, doubt begins to set in.
But the problem goes beyond Slafkovský himself.
It’s Kent Hughes who is in the crosshairs.
Why such an ambitious contract, so soon?
Why bet so much on a player who, so far, has yet to prove he can be a consistent force in the NHL?
Critics of Hughes abound. There is excessive confidence in Slafkovský’s potential, a hasty decision which could weigh heavily on the Canadian’s finances and strategy for years to come.
With this contract, Hughes sealed the fate of the organization around Slafkovský.
But what happens if that player never lives up to expectations?
What happens if, like today, Shane Wright continues to outperform Slaf, match after match, showing a hunger and consistency that the Slovak struggles to match?
The Canadian’s future rests on a risky bet.
Every dollar counts in a salary cap system, and every contract must be justified by tangible production.
For the moment, Slafkovský is not delivering the goods. And the more time passes, the more this bet begins to look like a strategic error that could haunt the CH for years.
Today, Shane Wright showed he was hungry.
Juraj Slafkovský must prove that he is more than a bet.
The problem is that in this league, the time to convince is running out quickly.
And if Slaf doesn’t find his rhythm quickly, this decision could well be one of the costliest in recent Canadiens history.
Misery …
