Juraj Slafkovsky is starting to look every bit the player the Canadiens believed he could be when they took him first overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. And if this season keeps trending the way it has, we may look back on 2025-26 as the moment everything truly clicked for the 21-year-old winger.
Slafkovsky hit a new personal milestone Saturday night against the Sabres, netting his 21st goal of the season - a new career high. With 44 points through 55 games (21 goals, 23 assists), he’s on pace to finish with 66 points, which would easily eclipse his previous bests of 50 and 51 points in his first two seasons.
But the raw numbers only tell part of the story. What stands out is how he’s getting those points - and how much more complete his game has become.
Let’s start with his two-way play. In his rookie season, Slafkovsky finished with a minus-13 rating.
The following year, it dipped to minus-19. This season?
He’s sitting at plus-7. Now, plus-minus isn’t the flashiest stat in today’s analytics-driven world, but it does hint at a broader truth: Slafkovsky is simply playing smarter hockey.
He’s more engaged defensively, more disciplined with the puck, and it’s showing up in the turnover column. Last year, he had 77 giveaways in 71 games.
This year, he’s down to 44 in 55 games - on pace for just 66 over a full 82-game season. That’s real growth.
His role is evolving too. Slafkovsky is now averaging over 18 minutes of ice time per game (18:05 to be exact), up from 17:21 last season.
That kind of increase doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a reflection of trust - from the coaching staff, from his teammates, and from the organization as a whole.
He may be slotted on the second line, but he’s still a fixture on the top power play unit, where he’s making a major impact.
Last season, he tallied just 10 points with the man advantage. This year?
He’s already at 17 - and 10 of those are goals. He’s become a real threat in the bumper spot, reading the play better, finding soft areas in the defense, and making himself a consistent option for his teammates.
His goal against Buffalo was a textbook example: quick movement, smart positioning, and a finish that showed both confidence and poise.
Physically, Slafkovsky is leaning into his power forward identity. He’s harder to move in front of the net, stronger along the boards, and more assertive in puck battles. That physical edge is starting to make life miserable for opposing defenders - and it’s creating space for him and his linemates to operate.
What we’re seeing is a young player who’s not just putting up numbers, but figuring out how to impact the game in multiple ways. Slafkovsky’s blend of size, skill, and developing hockey IQ is starting to come together - and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.
This may be the season where Slafkovsky silences the doubters and validates the Canadiens’ faith in drafting him first overall. But it doesn’t feel like the final chapter - not even close. If anything, this is just the beginning of what could be a very special career in Montreal.