It was supposed to be a regular press conference, one of those meetings where the general manager shares his thoughts on the team, recent performances and necessary adjustments.
But everything changed when the name Juraj Slafkovsky came up. It only took one reporter’s question to create a moment of unease that left everyone in the room hanging on Kent Hughes’ lips.
And the latter did not mince his words.
When asked to evaluate Juraj Slafkovsky’s season so far, Hughes let out a heavy silence, as if searching for the right words to not be too blunt. Then he blurted out: “I think he is capable of doing more. I think he knows it. »
Simple, direct, but oh so revealing. It’s not often that a GM publicly admits that a player – especially a first overall pick – is falling short of expectations.
The message was clear: Slafkovsky must do more. And what’s even more striking is that Hughes chose not to make excuses for him. “It’s no surprise. I said this summer, there would be ups and downs. Its evolution will not be linear. » That sets the table.
This kind of brutal honesty is rare in professional hockey, especially in Montreal, where players are constantly under the microscope.
But Hughes, true to his style, did not hesitate to delve further into his assessment. “There is work to be done. You have to keep your head down and work. »
A sentence full of innuendo for a player who has sometimes been criticized for his attitude on the ice.
Slafkovsky, remember, was drafted first overall with the hope that he would become a cornerstone of the Canadiens’ reconstruction.
But so far it has failed to live up to expectations. His stats this season – 6 goals and 12 assists in 41 games – are decent, but far from impressive for a player with his pedigree. Hughes, however, was careful to put these figures into perspective: “It’s not easy for a young player to manage expectations in a city like Montreal. »
To support his point, Hughes recalled the challenges other players on the team faced before finding their rhythm.
“Look at Josh Anderson. He’s been through some tough times, just like Jake Evans. Sam Montembeault, too, had a complicated winter in 2022. Now, he is perhaps our number one goalie. »
The objective here was clear: to remind people that a player’s development never follows a straight line.
But that doesn’t mean Slafkovsky is free from criticism. Hughes has made it clear that he expects more. “Those who manage to be consistent, year after year, are very special players. »
In other words, Slafkovsky isn’t there yet.
As general manager, Hughes must juggle many responsibilities. He must protect his investment in a player like Slafkovsky while ensuring the team continues to improve.
And, as he pointed out, it’s not just an individual problem: “We have five young defenders with little experience. When things go wrong, that’s when the experience around them becomes crucial. »
-This observation shows that Slafkovsky’s development does not occur in a vacuum. It is part of a larger ecosystem where every player, every decision, has an impact.
That includes recent acquisitions like Alexandre Carrier, who Hughes says have brought welcome stability to a young and sometimes chaotic team.
One thing that makes Slafkovsky’s situation even worse is his new contract, which comes into effect next year.
This contract, which will make him one of the highest paid players on the team, adds additional pressure. Hughes is aware of this: “When a player signs a big contract, expectations change. He must be ready to meet these expectations. »
But for now, Slafkovsky is not ready. And that’s where the problem lies. “He has all the talent needed. But talent alone is not enough. You have to work, day after day. »
This message, although implicit, is unequivocal. Slafkovsky must prove that he deserves not only his contract, but also the trust the organization has placed in him.
For Slafkovsky, the road to success will be strewn with pitfalls. He will not only have to improve his performance on the ice, but also change the perception he gives.
As Hughes said: “He is a professional athlete. Challenges are part of the job. »
The message here is clear: there is no room for arrogance or excuses. In Montreal, fans and media expect results, and they are not patient. If Slafkovsky is to succeed, he will not only have to meet those expectations, but exceed them.
Ultimately, Hughes’ press conference highlighted a larger problem.
It’s not just about statistics or individual performances. It’s a question of mentality, of attitude, of what it means to be a star player in a city like Montreal.
And for now, Slafkovsky is not up to the task.
But all is not lost. As Hughes said: “I have a lot of confidence in Juraj. But there is work to be done. » This is not a rejection, but rather a challenge. And now it’s up to Slafkovsky to take up this challenge.
The press conference awkwardness may have been uncomfortable, but it could be the watershed moment Slafkovsky needed.
Because in Montreal, there is no place for those who are not ready to work. And as Hughes said so well: “The life of a professional athlete is full of ups and downs. Those who succeed are those who learn from their failures. »
Amen
