Joël Bouchard makes an important statement about Juraj Slafkovsky and Shane Wright

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Jeff Drouin
October 16, 2022 (2:23 PM)

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After only three NHL games, many are already very critical of the CH's latest first round pick, Juraj Slafkovsky. Former Laval Rocket head coach Joël Bouchard is not one of them, but he advocates patience.

He was honest with fans when he said that the Slovakian had nothing exceptional in his game.

"It's a very nice project. I think it's a nice profile of a playoff player. I think he's a player that's going to be able to help us but it's going to take time because he doesn't have exceptional quality. There's no one quality in his game that's extraordinary other than being big, being physically strong. He's not a phenomenal skater, he's not agile or extremely agile, his hands are good hands. He has a very good shot that I see, but there because he has less experience, he shoots less." - Joel Bouchard

Bouchard insists that the potential is there but it will not be done by snapping his fingers. The former coach likes what he sees right now but sees the hesitation of the young man. It will be a marathon of learning throughout the season.

However, one should not be demoralized by these statements. Bouchard says the CH made the best possible choice in selecting him in the first round of the last draft.

"Just to be clear, the Habs made the right choice in selecting Juraj. We shouldn't think the CH made a mistake."

"Shane Wright was left out in Seattle in the second game of the schedule and it was very difficult for him in his NHL debut."

"Slafkovsky is way ahead of Wright. You have to be patient and take your time." - Joel Bouchard

Time will tell if these observations are accurate. Until then, we will have to be patient and give him a chance to prove himself. Let's not forget that he is only 18 years old.

You can listen to Joel Bouchard's excellent segment as he talks with Maxim Lapierre, Guillaume Latendresse and Dave Morissette in the link below.