Juraj Slafkovsky’s rookie season is over, which allows us to take stock of the first North American season of the first overall pick in the last NHL draft, and I will not be popular: I see similarities with Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
In his press conference this week, General Manager Kent Hughes was asked at length about the young Slovakian winger, who many would have liked to see had he regained his confidence either at the World Junior Hockey Championship or with Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League.
Hughes emphasized how long it can take for a young player like him to develop. He explained in detail the challenges for a young Slovak to arrive in North America and to understand and perfect the style that will allow him to succeed in the National Hockey League. To “define his game,” to use his words.
Ironically, a few years ago we had the same discussions with Kotkaniemi. When he arrived in Montreal at the age of 18, the organization preferred not to send him to the World Junior Championships and waited until his second season to send him back to Laval.
I analyze what I see and have no choice but to see many similarities between the early careers of the two young players.
YOUTH USE
Kent Hughes has spoken many times about the challenge of finding balance at many levels in his role as CEO. In the case of Slafkovsky, it was evident that the team felt they had the best balance in Montreal. This consideration also applies to all young people, even Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield who are already established stars.
The two young people in the organization are still having difficult evenings and in the case of Suzuki I don’t understand why it’s being used so much.
Speaking of balance, the captain that plays in all situations isn’t much use. Currently we need them 5v5 to set up the best enemy lines and lead the first unit on the power play. But we’re still adamant about sending him outnumbered and I’m afraid we’ll overwhelm him.
We can’t afford to lose the young middle player to an overuse injury.
DISAPPOINTED BY MONTEMBEAULT
Finally, a word on Samuel Montembeault, who was heading for the NHL’s first Star of the Week title. But that was before he was completely dropped by his teammates Thursday night against the Florida Panthers.
The Quebec goalkeeper has nothing to be ashamed of in the 6-2 defeat, indeed, he conceded five goals in the first two periods of the game, four of them on opponents’ power play.
However, we have to admit that we saw again the Canadian who lacked discipline, confused in his own territory and incapable of efficiency in whatever special teams they were.
I wish Montembeault could end this week well, continuing his momentum and taking an individual honor, which too few of his teammates have done this year.
After all, he continues to demonstrate what I’ve been hammering on since the start of the season: He’s part of the solution. At $1 million a season and one more year on his contract, we’re talking a real bargain, and Kent Hughes made it clear in his press conference this week: he has no intention of selling him.
That’s the lesser of them. Montembeault waited for his chance without complaining, and when it came he grabbed it with both hands.
Echoes of Bergie
CONGRATULATIONS TO DESHARNAIS…
Quebec’s Vincent Desharnais is certainly one of the big stories of the last week. At 26, he was finally able to pursue his dream by being called up by the Edmonton Oilers and playing his first NHL games. The Laval defender doesn’t have the typical career path of a Quebecer. He played in the BCHL before spending three years in the NCAA at Providence College. He was selected in the seventh round by the Oilers in 2016 and then spent three full seasons in the Minors before being called up to his fourth season this year. Well done Vincent. You are a role model for all young Quebecers who dream of the NHL.
… AND DUFOUR
I also can’t ignore William Dufour’s first NHL career game Wednesday night against the New York Islanders. Another player who defied the odds and never gave up despite the pitfalls. A fifth-round pick from the Isles, he needed just 37 games in the American Hockey League before earning his first big league recall. And another word on Jakob Pelletier, because the Flames Prospect will also have a chance to break the ice this afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Quebecers who dare to reach the top: I like that!
HUGHES SAID NOT NOT ALL
As he said in his press conference: Kent Hughes will not be transparent when questions arise about ongoing negotiations, whether for trade or contract extensions with certain players. But that’s not the only department Hughes and the entire organization continue to hide information from. We continue to be at a loss most of the time when it comes to uncovering the nature of the injuries but also the recovery time. Why is it so difficult to give the information when a player has a long-term injury? Unless we voluntarily extend certain convalescences because of the team’s bad season? Too many questions for few answers.
