Juraj Slafkovsky Breaks Silence on Rumors Surrounding His Relationship with Martin St-Louis

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Jim Sullivan
November 22, 2024 (8:09 PM)

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The Montreal Canadiens, in my opinion, made an excellent choice by selecting Juraj Slafkovsky first overall in the 2022 draft.

However, after a simply exceptional second half of the season last year, where the number 20 notably collected 35 points in his last 40 games, things are more difficult for the Slovakian forward this year.

Despite an interesting harvest of 11 points in 16 games, Juraj Slafkovsky is having some difficulty generating scoring opportunities in opposing territory, he who currently only has one goal to his name.

In fact, during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets last Saturday, the young forward was nailed to the bench by Martin St-Louis in the second and third periods, after showing signs of frustration.

Although he didn't comment too much on the situation after the game, Juraj Slafkovsky agreed to revisit the punishment handed to him by his head coach in his latest blog on the NHL website, admitting that Martin St-Louis made a good decision by leaving him on the bench.

"In that game, I skipped my turn a few times at the end of the second period and at the beginning of the third. But it was my fault. I was the one responsible. When I came back to the bench in the second period, I smashed my stick coming back for a change. I was angry with myself.

When a coach notices that a player is breaking his stick and that he's not managing his own emotions well, he has no choice but to react. I had just gotten bad shifts, I had lost easy pucks and I didn't manage my emotions well.

Marty was right to send out the players who were playing a good game. I learned my lesson. There are games where you have bad shifts, but you can't give up. You always have to fight to come back.

I've spoken with Marty since that incident. He didn't meet with me immediately after the game against the Blue Jackets, but the day after.

He explained to me that he saw my frustration and that he felt that I was putting unnecessary pressure on myself. He told me that he wanted to see the player from the last few months of last season again." - Juraj Slafkovsky

We sometimes tend to forget him, perhaps because of his imposing size of 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, but Juraj Slafkovsky is only 20 years old.

It's completely understandable that a player his age sometimes has trouble managing his emotions, especially when he has a bad game.

However, it's really encouraging to see that he understood the gesture made by his head coach and that he continues to grow in maturity.

The Habs forward took the time to reassure fans, who were worried that this little clash would cause friction in his relationship with Martin St-Louis. He mentioned that he got along very well with the Quebecer, adding that he often had discussions with him.

"I have a good relationship with my coach. He tests me quite often, he wants to push me. I'm not always the easiest player. But I would say that I have the same passion as him. We also share another thing: we hate losing.

Marty gives me advice, but he also listens to my recommendations. There is always a dialogue. I sometimes have the feeling that my idea is better, but I have to admit that he is right more often than me! He is a very good motivator. I have spoken to him often in recent weeks." - Juraj Slafkovsky

That has the merit of being clear!

Let's just hope that Juraj Slafkovsky is able to return to the level of play that made him an extremely dominant player last year.

He clearly has the necessary assets to be a dangerous player in the offensive zone, he who is far from having reached his full potential.

Since his debut in the Bettman circuit, the Slovakian forward has recorded 25 goals and 46 assists (71 points) in 137 games with the Montreal Canadiens.

We strongly encourage you to read his latest text on the NHL website!