While the Montreal Canadiens had the day off on Sunday, four of their players-Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, Alexandre Texier, and Oliver Kapanen-took a different kind of spotlight, appearing on Quebec’s popular talk show Tout le monde en parle. The 15-minute segment wasn’t exactly headline-making, but it did offer some interesting moments that gave fans a rare look at the personalities behind the jerseys.
Naturally, with all four set to represent their countries at the upcoming Olympics, one of the first questions was about what it’ll be like to face each other on the international stage. Suzuki fielded that one, explaining that it’s nothing new-they’re used to competing against friends and former teammates in the NHL. It’s part of the job, and when the puck drops, friendships take a backseat to competition.
But the conversation got a little more fun when the players were asked to choose between winning a Stanley Cup or an Olympic gold medal. Texier, representing France, drew laughs when he said the Cup was probably the more realistic goal for him.
But in the end, all four players picked the Stanley Cup as their ultimate dream. For Kapanen, it was a childhood vision-hoisting the Cup is what he grew up dreaming about.
Kapanen, who currently leads all NHL rookies in goals, was also asked about the Calder Trophy race and whether there’s been any friendly ribbing between him and teammate Ivan Demidov. He downplayed the notion, saying it’s not something he thinks about and instead praised Demidov as a special player. It was a humble answer from a player who's quietly putting together a strong rookie campaign, even if he’s not getting the Calder buzz some might expect.
There were a few awkward moments during the interview, including one when Suzuki was asked what French words he knows. His answer?
He can say his name and ask someone how they’re doing. Given the attention earlier this season when he gave his first interview in French with TVA Sports, the response felt a little underwhelming.
Sure, no one’s demanding fluency from the Canadiens’ captain, but fans might’ve expected a bit more progress on that front.
Another moment that stood out came when the players were asked if they’d seen Heated Rivalry, a Crave series that’s made waves for its portrayal of a secret romantic relationship between two hockey players. The group hesitated, glancing at each other before Suzuki finally said they’d heard of the show and thought it was great that it’s bringing new fans to hockey.
That pause spoke volumes. It was followed by a question to Texier about whether homosexuality is still a taboo topic in hockey.
His response was straightforward: he doesn’t believe it is, and that any player who came out would be welcomed by the team.
Those are the kinds of answers you hope to hear-supportive, inclusive, and clear. But that moment of hesitation when asked about the show? It’s a reminder that, while the NHL has made strides, the culture around the game still has room to grow when it comes to inclusion and comfort with LGBTQ+ topics.
For now, though, it’s back to business. The four Olympians still have five games on the NHL schedule before they can turn their full attention to the international stage. The Canadiens are set to face the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, followed by the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, the Minnesota Wild next Monday, and the Winnipeg Jets on February 4.
It’s a critical stretch-not just for playoff positioning, but also for players looking to carry momentum into the Olympics. And for fans, it’s a chance to watch some of the game’s rising talents balance NHL pressure with national pride on the horizon.