Juraj Slafkovsky denounces a toxic situation he has to deal with
It's not uncommon to hear that playing in Montreal isn't for everyone, but on this topic, Juraj Slafkovsky had a lot to say.
Besides the language and the climate, the pressure from both fans and the media is quite intense.
However, according to Slafkovsky, this pressure is not comparable to what he experiences in Slovakia.
In an interview with Arpon Basu for The Athletic, the Slovakian forward compared the two markets.
It's clear that Slafkovsky's life in Montreal and Slovakia is completely different.
Here, he can go to the grocery store or run errands without being disturbed too much. But when he's back home, it's a whole other story...
Juraj Slafkovsky opens up about the pressure in Slovakia
It's important to know that number 20 for the Canadiens is a huge star in his country. He is rarely left alone when he's out and finds it very overwhelming. As Charles-Alexis Brisebois from the DLC website reminds us, he even used the word toxic to describe the media coverage he receives in his homeland.
For example, in Slovakia, people know where he lives. This is very heavy for him and his family as many fans come knocking on his door to meet him. He's happy that in Montreal, his privacy has been preserved. He can focus on his game without worrying about external factors.
There's certainly pressure in Montreal, but according to Slafkovsky, it's nowhere near as bad as it is elsewhere.
Being the first overall pick at a draft could have intimidated many players. But for him, it didn't seem to bother him, as we've seen since he joined the team. Despite the criticism when his play early in his career was not up to expectations, he managed to ignore the external tension and focus on his own internal pressure.
It's interesting to see how the situation in his country seems to have shaped his character. It's for the better, as he has been able to overcome difficulties like injuries and poor performances to become the player he is today.
One wonders if Shane Wright could have done the same...
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