Last night, Juraj Slafkovsky disappointed again, this time in an even more unacceptable way, as he let down his teammates.
As the Canadiens suffered another embarrassing loss, the $7.6 million-a-year forward starting next season was not only invisible on the ice, but also drew the thunder of his own captain, Nick Suzuki.
The latter, exasperated, openly reprimanded him on the bench, a scene which testifies to growing tensions within the team around the arrogant Slafkovsky.
Pierre McGuire, a former coach and well-known analyst, offered a harsh but fair critique of Slafkovsky’s performance.
He highlighted the young player’s glaring lack of effort and commitment, highlighting a problem that goes well beyond the simple question of statistics.
“Slafkovsky did not show the desire or fighting spirit necessary for a player of his caliber. His two teammates on the line were fighting on the ice, but he was elsewhere. »
The words are harsh, but they prove a truth that’s hard to ignore: Slafkovsky often seems disconnected, as if he hasn’t fully grasped the magnitude of the expectations placed on him.
Like he was distracted off the ice.
His haughty attitude is causing more and more talk. Last night, his collapse against the Blackhawks only added to an already long list of disappointments.
And yet, instead of focusing on his game, Slafkovsky seems to be more concerned with his personal life and public image.
Slafkovsky is no stranger to controversy. Whether it’s his scathing statement towards journalists – saying he doesn’t care what they say – or his dismissive behavior during press scrums, he seems to live in a bubble where criticism has no hold on him .
“Do you like statistics? Well, you are served! », he said after a match where he scored a lucky goal, betraying misplaced arrogance for a player having a disastrous season.
And what about his life off the ice? Since being drafted, Slafkovsky seems to place as much, if not more, importance on his image than on his game. Between “flashing his money” and his questionable personal choices, he offers an easy target for his detractors.
When he bought a BMW in Slovakia, the local media praised him, portraying him as a national hero.
But in Montreal, the same purchase fueled a completely different discourse. Some columnists, like Jean-Charles Lajoie, think Slafkovsky should be more humble with his money.
But that’s not all. His relationship with a waitress at Flyjin, a restaurant-bar renowned for its festive evenings in Old Montreal, also caused a lot of ink to flow.
Columnists wonder: how can Slafkovsky be fully focused on his career when his girlfriend finishes her shift at 4 a.m.?
Some prefer to see the bright side of things: at least Slafkovsky is in a relationship with only one person, unlike other players who multiply their conquests.
But others believe that this pace of life could explain his mediocre performances on the ice. Fatigue and lack of discipline are starting to show in his game.
The contrast is stark: Slafkovsky is paid $950,000 this year, but starting next season, he will collect a guaranteed annual salary of $10 million.
This contract, signed after a promising half-season, today seems to be a monumental error.
Supporters, who applauded this signing last summer, are now wondering if the CH was not too generous, too quickly.
And all the while, Slafkovsky continues to hang around the ice as a power forward playing “small,” unable to use his physicality or generate offensive chances.
Slafkovsky’s collapse isn’t just about statistics. It’s a combination of attitude, personal distractions, and an inability to meet expectations.
Montreal fans, passionate but demanding, will not forgive this kind of behavior for long.
Juraj Slafkovsky must quickly get his act together. It is no longer enough to show off with luxury cars or to play “cool” in front of the cameras.
Montreal expects results, and the young Slovak, who was supposed to embody the future of CH, is today perceived as an overpaid, arrogant and disconnected player from reality.
With only four goals in 34 games, Slafkovsky has statistics unworthy of a first draft pick.
Particularly frustrating is his inability to use his imposing physique or get involved in battles along the ramps.
Last night, despite the absence of a key player like Patrik Laine, the Slovakian was unable to raise his game to fill the void.
Worse yet, his lack of effort directly hurt his line, forcing Suzuki to step up and once again highlighting Slafkovsky’s glaring deficiencies.
In Montreal, the expectations of the players are immense, and the patience of the fans has limits. Slafkovsky seems to believe that his age or his status as a young player protects him from criticism, but the reality is quite different.
Even Martin St-Louis, often his biggest defender, could start to lose patience. The coach multiplied the opportunities to allow Slafkovsky to get up, but the results did not follow.
The fact that Nick Suzuki, usually calm and measured, chose to publicly shout at him says a lot about the state of the locker room. This type of incident is rare and reflects widespread fed up.
Slafkovsky is no longer just a development problem. His attitude and lack of consistency are starting to break the team spirit.
If nothing changes, he risks finding himself isolated, both on the ice and in the locker room.
The Canadian invested heavily in Slafkovsky, presenting him as a cornerstone of his future…and of Geoff Molson’s portfolio.
But so far, he’s mostly been a burden. His mediocre performance combined with a lackadaisical attitude casts doubt on his ability to become the dominant player the organization hoped for.
The time has come for Juraj Slafkovsky to prove that he deserves his place. If he can’t elevate his game and live up to expectations, his future with the Canadiens — and in the NHL — could quickly darken.
On his entry contract, seeing him give up is one thing. But starting next year when he pockets $10 million (impact on the pool of $7.6 million for 8 years), the crowd will be merciless towards him.
Fans and teammates need more than excuses or promises. They want to see effort, passion and a genuine desire to contribute.
Without this, Slafkovsky risks becoming a symbol of failure in a city that does not forgive laziness, cowardice and nonchalance.
The problem with Slafkovsky is that he constantly seems to have an excuse. He is young. He learns. The pressure is great. But how long will these excuses last?
Journalist Tony Marinaro, never shy of criticism, summed up the situation like this:
“At some point you have to show that you are there to play. No matter your age, no matter your salary. If you’re not willing to fight for every shift, why are you on the ice? »
Even Martin St-Louis is fed up. After all, a coach can teach life lessons, but he cannot play for his players.
If Slafkovsky continues on this trajectory, he risks becoming one of the biggest flops in recent Canadian history.
Compared to Logan Cooley (10 goals, 24 assists for 34 points in 38 games, differential of +7), he doesn’t even measure up. M
Slafkovsky only disappoints, both with his play and his attitude. And if his behavior continues to irritate his teammates and fuel criticism, there will soon be nothing left but regrets in what should have been a fairy tale.
Time is running out for Juraj Slafkovsky. And if he doesn’t wake up soon, he could well become the embodiment of a monumental failure.
