Canadiens’ Slafkovský promises to ‘accomplish more’ after injury

Slafkovsky scores 13 seconds in!

Speaking to the media on Monday at Bell Sports Complex, Montreal Canadiens left winger Juraj Slafkovský promised to “accomplish more.” The Slovakian said he set high standards for himself and committed to surpassing them.

Slafkovský also said that he preferred to “finish the season and play 80 games” and felt that his injury stopped him from completing his journey. He is confident of regaining his form quickly and making a solid comeback.

After recovering from a lower-body injury, the 19-year-old returned to the ice for the first time in three months. Slafkovský’s last match was against the New York Rangers on January 15.

On Monday, the Canadiens provided media access to three players — Slafkovský, defensemen Arber Xhekaj and Kaiden Guhle. The team has been preparing for an away game against the New York Islanders, scheduled for Wednesday night.

“I know what I need to work on, what type of player I am,” Slafkovský said. “My size and everything. I just need to make it work all together.”

The Canadiens rookie acknowledged that the NHL is a league with high demands and he is aiming to balance all his skills accordingly.

He also mentioned that the coaching staff has been instrumental in helping him achieve his best form — enabling him to make valuable contributions toward the team’s success.

Slafkovský, who did not undergo any surgical procedures for his injury, anticipates that he will be completely fit and healthy for the 2023-24 season.

Slafkovský remains top competitor in 2022 class

Fans were surprised after the Canadiens selected Slafkovský as the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft since many expected the franchise to pick centre Shane Wright. Wright eventually ended up being drafted fourth overall by Seattle Kraken.

The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Slafkovský’s season ended abruptly in mid-January due to a knee injury after he scored four goals and accumulated ten points in 39 games. Despite this setback, he had the most successful season among the top five draft picks in the 2022 class.

Wright, whom Canadiens fans hoped to draft, is not even in the NHL as the Kraken chose to send the Ontario native to play in the OHL instead. Fellow Slovak Šimon Nemec, who was drafted second overall by the New Jersey Devils, is also not in the league after New Jersey decided to put him in the AHL with the Utica Comets.

And for both Logan Cooley and Cutter Cauthier, who were picked third and fifth by the Arizona Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers, have returned to their respective U.S. collegiate programs.