Has 2022 first overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky finally found his identity in the National League?
Difficult to say, but in his own words, he would have become a “fourth line player”.
A joke, no doubt. But a joke which, for many, sounds like an involuntary confession. Last night, after delivering a more robust performance than usual against the Dallas Stars, with seven hits, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound colossus joked: « I am a fourth line player now, ha, ha, ha. »
Lovely, Juraj. But if you think that this statement will make us forget your huge contract of 61 million dollars over eight years which will take effect next season, you are dreaming in color.
And yet, seeing how Martin St-Louis manages his ice time, we wonder if this sentence does not have some truth.
Because when the 3 against 3 overtime comes, where vision, hands and speed are essential, Slafkovsky remains glued to the bench, spectator of a spectacle to which he is never invited.
And let’s be honest, we understand why: he neither has the exceptional vision, nor the magical hands, nor the explosive speed necessary to dominate in this context.
All of this becomes even more alarming when we remember that he is supposed to be a first-line player, a first overall pick, a key element of the Canadian’s future.
Since his arrival in the NHL, Slafkovsky was expected to use his imposing size to become a « power forward » a leading player, a player capable of dictating the tempo and opening spaces for his teammates.
But let’s be honest: aside from a few sporadic flashes, it didn’t live up to those expectations. His shot is okay, but it doesn’t make the goalkeepers tremble.
Its speed is acceptable, but far from spectacular. His vision is functional, but never transcendent. In short, Slafkovsky does not have the necessary tools to shine in overtime.
This is where the problem lies. Martin St-Louis never uses it in crucial moments, and for good reason.
At three against three, it’s not robustness that you need, but intelligence of the game, creativity and speed.
These are qualities that we find in players like Nick Suzuki or Cole Caufield, but not in Slafkovsky.
If we had to sum up his game in one word, it would be “limit”. And that’s not what we expect from a player who will receive an annual salary of $7.6 million starting next year.
Ah, let’s talk about this contract. Starting next season, Juraj Slafkovsky will pocket $10 million per year for two years, followed by $9 million in 2027.
His first three years will net him a staggering total of $29 million. This is clearly not the salary of a fourth-line player.
And yet, we can’t help but wonder if this contract is not becoming a burden for the Canadian, a constant comparison between what he is paid and what he delivers on the ice.
And there, we can’t help but come back to the obvious discomfort of Kent Hughes during his mid-season press conference.
When asked for his assessment of Slafkovsky’s season so far, he took a moment to respond before blurting out, almost reluctantly: “Juraj can do better. And he knows it. »
A simple observation, but full of meaning. This is a polite way of saying that Slafkovsky failed to live up to expectations.
And how could it be? Since his arrival in Montreal, he always seems to be in search of an identity, oscillating between the role of a robust player and that of an offensive prospect.
Last night, he showed signs of life with his seven hits. It’s a start, certainly. But that’s not enough to justify his first-choice status, let alone his astronomical contract.
Slavkovsky was drafted to become a pillar of the attack, a player who makes the difference in important moments. And yet, in these crucial moments, he is absent. Invisible in overtime, useless in shootouts.
It is no coincidence that Martin St-Louis prefers to look elsewhere.
It’s time for Slafkovsky to look in the mirror and decide what kind of player he wants to be. Expectations are enormous, and his physical potential is undeniable.
But all that means nothing if he doesn’t find a way to add real value to his team. If his size is his main asset, then he must learn to use it to its fullest.
If he wants to be more than a fourth-line player, he has to prove that he can produce, that he can be an offensive engine and not just a passenger.
And right now, that joke about the fourth line rings like a cruel reality. Because barring a dramatic turnaround, that’s where his game seems to fit best.
Hockey is a sport that does not forgive half measures, and Slafkovsky must understand that his future depends entirely on his ability to adapt and evolve.
Because right now, he’s stuck between the expectations of a top pick and the reality of a player who hasn’t found his place yet.
So Juraj, do you want to make jokes about your role? Alright. But don’t forget: fourth line players don’t make 10 million per year.
And for those who do, excuses and half-measures are not acceptable.
To be continued
