Slafkovsky Admits Canadiens Management Gave Him a Wake-Up Call Last Season
Since the beginning of the summer, many questions have surrounded Juraj Slafkovsky and what he can really bring to the Montreal Canadiens this season.
The 21-year-old forward didn't hide the fact that he went through difficult moments in his first months last year, to the point where he felt lost on the ice.
And it's in this context that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton chose to intervene directly, with a straightforward message. Once you've made it to the NHL, there's no beating around the bush to get the point across.
As a fan, I have to say that this is the kind of conversation that shows the organization truly wants to push young players to reach their full potential.
Juraj Slafkovsky's admissions and the Canadiens management's reminder about discipline
Slafkovsky didn't hesitate to acknowledge his shortcomings from last season.
"I was useless at the start. I have to be good right from October. I don't know what I was thinking the first few months, but I didn't like it. The more I thought about it, the worse it got. I spent way too much time in my own head."
These words reflect a self-aware player, but also one who knows he has to turn words into concrete actions.
As journalist Marco Normandin pointed out,
"As you'll see if you watch the episode, Gorton and Hughes aren't afraid to speak frankly to Slafkovsky and criticize him for the things he's not doing well."
For those who want to watch the full episode, you can find it on Crave, in the documentary series The Rebuild: Inside the Montreal Canadiens.
For their part, Hughes and Gorton emphasized mental discipline even more than physical.
"I know you want to perform, but you need discipline to do what's necessary to reach 100% or even 95% of your potential. Focus this summer so you can come back ready. I know physically you're always prepared, but mentally, get ready to have a strong start to the season."
I find this message essential, because it places responsibility directly on the player's shoulders, but in a constructive way.
Honestly, I believe that if Slafkovsky applies this message, he can quickly become a key player and strengthen the Canadiens' offensive future.
He has all the potential in the world-it's just a matter of showing more intensity and consistency, and doing so every single game!
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