Juraj Slafkovsky Scouting Reports

Slowly rounding into form.
His overall game is easier to identify this season.
Playing with power and more awareness. Not absorbing the physical contact he did last year / putting himself in dangerous situations. Better spatial awareness overall.
Heavy in the trenches. Hard to move off pucks below the goal line. Solid pace but he does tend to fall off a bit after 30 seconds.
Averaging 17:04 TOI - 14:14 ES - 2:49 PP - Doesn't PK
81 SOG - 81 hits - 43 shot blocks
All stats through 54GP
12G - 17A - 29PTS (-11

Although his offense has been slow to arrive at the NHL level, Slafkovsky is evolving in several other categories.
Through thirteen games he's averaging 14:40 TOI - 12:15 ES - 2:23 PP
He's only scored 1G - 1A, but he's been credited with 21 hits and 11 shot blocks
Slafkovsky is leaner than he was when he was drafted first overall in 2022. He's ten pounds lighter. It's clear that his fitness has changed. He has prepared differently and it has gone to his legs. His straight line skating is explosive. He easily tracks up and down the full 200ft.
His spatial awareness has also improved. He's more aware of his surroundings. He's not exposing himself to heavy contact as much as last year.
In order for his offense to go to another level he needs to recognize he's a big body with a long reach. His catch and release needs to be quicker. He can't afford to take an extra step off the flank, or between the dots in the offensive zone. He needs to get pucks on net immediately and follow up on rebounds.
There's been a ton of growth in categories most fans of the game don't recognize. Gaining the edge off the rush, and asserting himself off the cycle / taking more plays to the net is the next area to monitor.

It's going to take time for Juraj to adjust to the North American game and contribute consistent results on and off the play.
Huge frame. Power forward. Shoots the puck a ton when time and space allows. Leans shooter more than distributor. Extends plays along the wall. Absorbs contact from more than one opponent keeping plays alive.
Spatial awareness ranges. There are times he skates himself into dangerous areas and exposes him and the puck, resulting in big hits against and turnovers.
First season cut short due to injury. Played 39 games. Averaged 12:12 TOI. Deployed at ES and PP. Credited with 42 SOG - 53 Hits - 24 shot blocks.
2F / Power forward / Goal Scorer / PP contributor is ceiling.

In the ten game segment, before suffering a season ending injury, Slafkovsky's ice time ranged between (11:00 - 16:00). He was being used at even strength and the power-play.
he was generating (2 - 3) shots on goal and asserting himself physically (2 - 4 hits per game and (2) shot blocks) He was learning on the job. Unfortunately he went pointless over that same span of games. He still projects as a top six / power winger. His three zone detail and ability to read the smaller ice surface in North America / make plays / avoid exposing himself physically in the hard areas along the boards and cutting to middle of the ice has a way to go. Needs time.

It's been a slow build to begin his first NHL season in Montreal.
Generally hovers around 11:30 TOI. He is used at ES and the PP.
Surprisingly quick and fast for his stature. His list weight is now 238lbs.
There is no question he is capable at the NHL level from the hash marks down in the offensive zone. He's a load around the crease and coming off the boards with the puck.
Needs to adapt to the speed of the game and make quicker, safer, plays in all three zones.

Added more strength and weight over the summer. Weighed into Canadiens camp at 238lbs
Physical tools are impressive. Already displaying ability to pressure opponents up ice as F1
Along the boards and the crease he bumps people off the play with relative ease.
Sneaky skill in tight areas when extending plays or creating turnovers. More playmaking upside than he has displayed in the past. Off the rush, with the puck on his stick, he has the pace to get the edge and drive. Small details, defensively and on small ice, need time.

There have been times in his developoment that he has scored in streaks. Juraj excelled playing against his own age group, had a fantastic Olympics, and contributed in Liiga before ending his season with an excellent showing at the Men's World Championships. A big body / power forward frame. A sound skater who has shown more attack off the rush as the season progressed. He uses his strength to extend plays along the boards and takes pucks to the net. His three zone detail and awareness is also reliable. Top 6 / Top 3 NHL forward.