Juraj Slafkovský,the young Slovak forward for the Montreal Canadiens,is rapidly developing into a key player,impressing both fans and his coach,Martin St-Louis.
Slafkovský’s Advancement and “Speed Control”
I think it comes from his comfort on the ice, the speed of the game and his reading of the game. He understands the importance of giving himself space on the ice, and for that, the game has too slow down in his eyes. He knows how to find space, he understands the speed of his teammates, he is aware of the speed of incoming opponents. It can speed up the game or slow it down.
Martin St-louis, head coach of the Canadiens, to journalists in Dallas on January 5, 2026
St-Louis attributes Slafkovský’s progress to his increasing comfort level, improved game speed, and enhanced hockey IQ. he specifically highlighted Slafkovský’s ability to control the pace of the game, a skill he refers to as “speed control.” This allows the young forward to effectively create space for himself, anticipate teammate movements, and react to opposing players.
“I call it speed control. While doing this, his intellectual speed is at a place that helps him do everything.Sometimes the game slowed down, or his brain sped up. It might be both, and a lot of it has to do with speed control. In the first half of the season, he took another step in the right direction.This is great progress on his part,” St-Louis explained.
Impressive Offensive Production
slafkovský’s development is reflected in his offensive statistics.As of January 5, 2026, he has recorded 32 points (15 goals and 17 assists) this season. This puts him on pace to potentially surpass his previous career-best point total and reach the 60-point mark for the first time in his NHL career. NHL Player Stats
Looking Ahead: Canadiens’ Schedule
Following a successful road trip were the canadiens earned 10 points out of a possible 14, the team returns home to face the Calgary Flames on Wednesday at the Bell Centre. This will be their first home game since December 20.
Though, the Canadiens face a demanding schedule ahead, with 13 games scheduled between now and the end of January, including five away games. Following these games, they have two more contests in early February before the Olympic break, which will provide a much-needed possibility for rest and recovery.
The Canadiens are benefiting from the growing contributions of their third line, adding further depth and potential to the team’s overall performance.
Related reading