It looks like last year’s scenario is repeating itself for Juraj Slafkovsky.
He had a very ordinary start to the season… But he has been playing very good hockey for a few games.
The big forward has scored in three of his last four games and it’s no coincidence: he has (re)started using his body to disturb the opponent and create plays on the ice.
We have seen how good he can be when he is at the top of his form and takes advantage of his qualities.
In the second half of the season last year, Slaf was really excellent… And we have to wonder if we are going to see the same Slaf by the end of the campaign.
That said, the 20-year-old puts a lot of pressure on himself because he wants to perform in the right way. He wants to be an important player in Martin St-Louis’ training because he has confidence in himself.
This explains, in my opinion, the fact that he found that his start to the season was disgusting.
The Slovakian maintains (LNH.com) that he feels like vomiting when he thinks back to his first games of the campaign. This is a great quote:
I have a hard time telling myself that this is a simple coincidence… But we must not forget one thing in all of this.
Exactly two weeks ago, Kent Hughes said at his mid-season review that he wanted to see more from Slaf.
The Canadian’s CEO recalled that Slaf “is capable of doing better” and this is not the first time this season that he has sent him a message.
At the beginning of December, Hughes “gave shit” to his youngster because the latter was not playing the way the organization wanted him to.
-Since Hughes’ exit two weeks ago, Slafkovsky has four points on the clock (in seven games) and he has recovered.
He plays more intensely, he goes into the paying zones and he is much more involved on the ice.
It’s the Slaf we want to see… But in all matches:
Juraj Slafkovsky is 20 years old and we must not forget him.
He becomes more mature over time and at a certain point, he will understand that he must play this way regularly to be more successful.
But to see that things have been better on his side for some time is still good news. One thing at a time…
In burst
– I didn’t have that on my bingo card!
– Ouain… ????
– To be continued.
– Oh !
– I can’t wait to see him in the next season.
