Currently, the biggest Slovak star in the NHL has only one goal after 16 games. From an individual or team point of view, Juraj Slafkovský is not having an ideal start to the profiliga season. He collected 11 Canadian points. In addition, Montreal is in last place in the Atlantic Division.
In addition, the Canadiens forward recently caused a stir when he openly criticized the conditions in Slovak hockey, which was also noticed by a Finnish hockey expert and former official of Spišská Nova Ves or Michaloviec Elmo Aittola (42).
“I personally experienced corruption in Slovak hockey. Slafkovský had every right to point that out,” he says.
Couldn’t his critical statements and subsequent reactions from hockey personalities take away from his mental well-being?
I respect that, as a young player, you allowed yourself to point out what you don’t like. When I worked in Slovakia a few years ago, it was no secret that Slovan was using the national team to recruit, while the general manager at the time, Oto Haščák, had it under his thumb.
I recognize Slafkovský for not being afraid to talk about corruption in Slovak hockey. It is doubtful whether anything will change, but at least it is good that it is being talked about.
Does it carry more weight if a player who is the number one pick in the draft says something like that and it is almost certain that the competent authorities will not throw logs under his feet for it?
Definitely. At the same time, he knows very well that by signing a new contract, he secured himself and his immediate family for the rest of his life. He doesn’t have to worry about his future. The inability to find a successor to Craig Ramsay is also a problem with the national team.
From my point of view, he has already been on the Slovak rotation for two years longer than would be appropriate. I also don’t like the situation with assistants who are chosen based on friendships. It’s time for something to change.
In terms of results, the Slovak team, apart from the Olympic bronze, has not progressed significantly in recent years. I think they are more suitable candidates for the position of head coach.
Can you be specific?
Among the coaches who worked in Slovakia, I could imagine Antonín Stavjaňa there. His work with young players is breathtaking. We’ve seen what he’s accomplished with Nitro in the past. That was no accident. In addition, Samuel Buček could finally appear in the final nomination for the World Cup. He needs to get a chance and show what he really is.
Let’s go back to Slafkovski. He has only one goal in sixteen NHL games. Isn’t that a little for a player who starts in an elite attack and plays power plays?
It’s difficult for him, because the whole team is playing terribly. Surely he himself is dissatisfied. On the other hand, I also see positives in his game. Probably for the first time in his NHL career, he has a balanced balance in the statistics of plus and minus points. Since he only scored one goal, this is definitely a remarkable fact.
What does it say?
His overall game and especially his defensive activity improved. He is no longer a rookie in the NHL, and he himself realizes that with his new multi-million dollar contract, he must take on more responsibility.
It is more beneficial for the team if Slafkovský scores fewer points, but ultimately gets fewer goals while he is on the ice. In the past, I strongly criticized him for focusing too much on himself. Now he shows that his game is developing in the right direction.
What must he focus on the most?
He needs to stay healthy. He has already missed a few games due to a minor injury. However, he was able to withstand several hard blows and impacts from opponents who are among the feared players in the NHL. He deserves credit for that.
He definitely needs to work on discipline and understanding the situation. However, I am absolutely sure that he will also get going in terms of goals during the season. He is taking the right steps and the important thing is that he is progressing in his overall development.
Recently coach Martin St. Louis shifted from the first to the fourth offense for several shifts during the game. Can such steps motivate him?
This just shows that the coach cares about him. He often emphasizes that he handles the pressure that is put on him at such a young age very well. Players who are talked about a lot always have it tough.
elmo aittola hockey expert finland Elmo Aittola.
Connor Bedard in Chicago is in a similar situation. This year he performs much weaker than last year during his debut in the NHL. He is expected to be at a similar level to Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid. For now, he seems to have dropped out of the picture. A player of that caliber cannot afford that.
As for Slafkovski, the coach just wanted to indicate to him that he needs to recover. It wouldn’t be good to let him play in the first attack where he would make a fool of himself. When you are not doing well and the coach puts you on the bench, you should calm down and start working hard again.
Dalibor Dvorský is in a different situation. He is still waiting for his debut in the NHL. In the team of St. Finnish striker Kasperi Kapanen will probably end Louis Blues. Could he be replaced by a Slovak who shines in the AHL?
Kapanen is known for not being able to control his life off the ice. He has a number of problems that disrupt his concentration and impair his performance. He seems to have completely lost his hockey ambitions. It is questionable what from him in St. Louis expected. For me, he is more of a player for the third or fourth attack.
On the other hand, Dvorský has had an excellent start to the season, for which he would definitely deserve to play a few games in the NHL. However, it is possible that the club wants him to gain more experience in men’s hockey and then get a chance in one of the first two attacks.
He is definitely not a player for the third or fourth line. He doesn’t have the physical prerequisites for it. He is creative and has excellent hockey thinking. He can be a dominant player within two years if he works on his build.
Is he in a similar situation to his compatriot Samuel Honzek, who after successful training got a chance in the NHL in the first attack?
It’s very similar. If we consider the role that Martin Pospíšil has in Calgary, we can safely say that he is a great player in the third attack due to his style of play and character. He plays hard and aggressive.
Honzek and Dvorský have completely different attributes that they can rely on. Both will be among the mainstays not only of their teams, but also of the Slovak national team in the years to come.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
