Juraj Slafkovsky's development since December has been nothing short of meteoric. His pairing with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield marked a significant turning point, transforming him from the hesitant rookie of last season, and even from the player at the start of this current season, into a formidable presence on the ice.
The first overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft has come a long way. At 19, the Slovak made a telling revelation about his journey, admitting in his NHL blog that he felt lost on the ice last year. This confession highlights the steep learning curve young players face when adapting to the high standards of the NHL.
Considering Slafkovsky's initial struggles, it's somewhat surprising that the Canadiens chose to keep him with the main squad rather than sending him to gain valuable experience at the World Junior Championship with his peers.
Fortunately, his development wasn't hindered by a challenging first season or a significant injury that saw him miss half of the games. He now perceives the game as slowing down, which is promising for his future.
With 22 points in 50 games this season, and an impressive 15 points in his last 21 starts, Slafkovsky's trajectory is remarkable. His future looks bright, and it's exciting to think about his potential at 22-23 years old.
