Kent Hughes' Worst Mistake May Haunt the Habs for Years

Of course, any comparison between the two players is somewhat flawed for several reasons. Firstly, they don't have the same style of play. One possesses the attributes of a power forward with his 6-foot-3 frame weighing over 200 pounds, while the other is a smaller, finesse-driven 5-foot-10, 175-pound center. Slafkovsky is in his second NHL season, while Cooley is in his rookie year. Comparing the two is tricky given their different play styles and the distinct needs they address for their respective teams.

The issue at hand is that the Coyotes' smaller center is off to a great start, while Slafkovsky struggles to establish himself consistently in the top 6 forwards. Here are their stats after 10 games this season:

• Juraj Slafkovsky: 1 assist
• Logan Cooley: 1 goal and 7 assists

Currently, the 2022 third overall pick significantly outperforms the first overall selection. While it's early in the season, some fans might be questioning the Canadiens' draft decision.

Mike G. Morreale, a renowned prospects analyst for NHL.com, had this to say about both players before the 2022 draft:

Is it simply too early in Slafkovsky's career to gauge his potential accurately? Do larger players take longer to develop? I've always believed that development takes time, and perhaps the Canadiens should've sent Slafkovsky back to Europe for another year. Maybe they should consider sending him to the Laval Rocket in the AHL. On the other hand, Cooley greatly benefited from an extra year in the NCAA, likely arriving better prepared and more confident.

Time will tell whether the Canadiens or the Coyotes made the better pick in the 2022 draft!

Credit: DLC