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"Looks like a beast": Elliotte Friedman holds high praise for Habs forward
Elliotte Friedman holds high praise for Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky, who is currently on a new eight-year, $60.8 million contract. Friedman, who spent some time watching the Habs star train during his time in Europe, believes big things are coming.
The Canadiens finished among the worst teams in hockey last season, so they need some more firepower if they're going to get out of the Eastern Conference basement next year.
“We were in Europe with Juraj Slafkovsky & he looks like a monster. He let us see some of his training," Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast. "He looks like a beast, an absolute beast.”
Slafkovsky, 20, recorded 50 points (20 goals, 30 assists) in 82 games with the Canadiens last year. It was just his second season in the NHL, but he ranked third on the team in goals and hits (152).
He was also fourth in assists and points and led all forwards with 71 blocked shots. If Elliotte Friedman is to be believed, he would be better in 2024–25.
Star forward supported by Elliotte Friedman talks new contract
Despite being so young and relatively inexperienced at the NHL level, the Montreal Canadiens signed Juraj Slafkovsky to an eight-year extension after the last season.
The contract may have paved the way for him to do just that. He was asked about the significance of being locked down for so long, and he said via NHL:
"For me, it was the eight years. [...] I can [now] just focus on playing and winning, and that's the most important thing to me. I'm happy that I have a contract for another nine years with Montreal; I want to win and build something special with the other guys."
Whatever the Canadiens are building, it looks to start with Slafkovsky. He is the centerpiece moving forward and is poised to be the next big thing in the next decade.
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