There are evenings when the truths, however bitter they may be, impose themselves.
Yesterday, in a match between the Montreal Canadiens and the Utah Hockey Club, CH fans witnessed a clear demonstration of what they could have had instead of Juraj Slafkovsky.
Logan Cooley, drafted third overall in 2022, has splashed the ice with his talent, to the point of seriously calling into question the Habs’ choice at the very top.
Logan Cooley is the quintessence of the modern player: fast, lively, blessed with exceptional vision and capable of transforming a simple numerical advantage into a real spectacle.
Last night, he continued to be a threat, showing a confidence and finesse that leaves opposing defenders in a cold sweat.
Meanwhile, Juraj Slafkovsky continued to search for his identity, like a failed actor trying to land a role in a blockbuster.
And the numbers don’t lie. Logan Cooley, with 32 goals and 81 points in just 125 games, is on a meteoric upward trajectory.
Slafkovsky? 28 goals, 83 points… in 161 games.
The gap is glaring, and yet it is Slafkovsky who benefits from the VIP treatment in Montreal, with a 61 million contract in his pocket. It’s hard not to raise an eyebrow at this reality.
But it’s not just a question of numbers. What’s really striking is the difference in style.
Cooley plays with boundless energy, obvious confidence and a desire to make a difference in every shift.
Slafkovsky seems to be in perpetual hesitation. He is tall, strong, but rarely uses his physique to good effect.
He is not a player who imposes his presence on the ice. He strikes when he has no choice, and often seems timid about going into battle.
And let’s talk about his off-ice behavior. Ah, Juraj and his late nights at Flyjin, waiting for his girlfriend to finish her shift.
You’d think the No. 1 overall pick would have better things to do than sit there in a hot bar instead of focusing on his development and the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
But no. Slafkovsky seems to navigate his career like a rudderless boat, with no real direction or urgency.
-This image, that of a player who does not seem fully committed to his own success, is frustrating for fans.
They see in Logan Cooley what they hoped for in Juraj Slafkovsky: a player capable of dominating, of being the cornerstone of a franchise.
Instead, they have a clumsy winger who, despite everything, still gets preferential treatment thanks to his first-choice status.
But, in the midst of this dark reality, Montreal Canadiens fans can at least find some semblance of comfort thanks to Lane Hutson.
Yes, that same Lane Hutson drafted 62nd overall, well after all the so-called top prospects. Hutson is already showing that he is probably the best player of this 2022 vintage.
With 37 points in just 45 games in the NHL, in his very first season, Hutson has a ratio of almost a point per game, something even Logan Cooley failed to accomplish.
It’s a small victory for the Canadian, but a victory nonetheless.
Of course, there is still hope for Slafkovsky. He is still young, and it is possible that he will find his rhythm in the years to come.
But how long will supporters be willing to wait? In a city like Montreal, where patience is a rare commodity, time is running out for Juraj.
If he fails to prove he can be an impact player, the whisper of regret could quickly become a cry.
And in the meantime, fans will have to endure seeing Logan Cooley shine elsewhere, while Slafkovsky continues to try, in vain, to find his place.
Montreal, a city that vibrates for its hockey, deserves better than that. They deserve a player who meets expectations, not an eternally unfinished project.
Maybe Juraj will find his identity one day. Maybe not. But time is running out.
To be continued
