Very worrying statement from insider Elliotte Friedman concerning Juraj Slafkovsky

PUBLICATION

MarcO
December 21, 2022 (9:30)

SHARE THIS STORY

In the first period of Monday night's game between the Canadiens and the Arizona Coyotes, Juraj Slafkovsky was hit hard by defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere as the Canadiens rookie was retrieving the puck in the neutral zone with his head down.

This isn't the first time Slafkovsky has been hit since the start of the season, and as Marker.com's Nicholas Desrosiers reports, this kind of situation could become worrisome and word could get around the NHL that the Habs player would be an easy target.

At least that's what reputable Sportsnet tipster Elliotte Friedman mentioned during his appearance on the Jeff Marek Show.

"What it says to me, when I saw that shot last night, the word came out that you can hit that guy. Everybody knows that."

Friedman added to that and went with this amazing revelation about the Coyotes player checking the 18-year-old.

"He (Gostisbehere) recognizes who's on the ice, that he's a guy (Slafkovsky) who puts himself in situations where he can get hit, and he goes for it. And it's not something he (Gostisbehere) does a lot, but he did."

When it's rendered that a player who isn't known for practicing a rugged style goes for a check like that, it's not necessarily a good sign for a rookie trying to make it in the NHL.

At 6 feet 4 inches and 230 pounds, it is quite rare for a player with such a physique to get picked up like that, but we mustn't forget that Slafkovsky is in learning mode and that eventually, he will have to take advantage of his imposing physique.

As is often the case with larger players, Slafkovsky will probably have to work on this aspect of his game but I remind you that he is only 18 years old and that the best is yet to come in his case.

He already has 10 points, including four goals in 27 games this season and his usage time has increased lately, even being used more and more on the power play.