Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky recently expressed his ambitions to emulate the playing style of Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, emphasizing the importance of playing a physical game to achieve success in the NHL. During an interview with TVA Sports’ Anthony Martineau at the Bell Centre, Slafkovsky stated, “You have to play like Brady Tkachuk if you want to have success in this league. It’s the kind of player I want to become.”
Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis has frequently highlighted that positive outcomes occur when Slafkovsky actively engages in the game, using his size and skill. At 6-foot-5 and weighing 225 pounds, Slafkovsky has the physical attributes akin to Tkachuk, who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs the same. This season, Slafkovsky has shown moments of playing with intensity, using his speed to recover pucks in the corners, suggesting that he has the potential to adopt a more aggressive style consistently. The challenge lies in making this style a regular part of his game.
At just 20 years old and having entered the NHL directly after being drafted, Slafkovsky’s development is ongoing. Comparatively, rookie Lane Hutson is marginally older, underscoring Slafkovsky’s youth and the time required for his growth. The Canadiens’ management has emphasized their commitment to player development, evidenced by the hiring of Adam Nicholas and the dedicated coaching efforts by St-Louis, particularly with another young talent, Cole Caufield.
The Canadiens’ prior decision to select Jesperi Kotkaniemi over Tkachuk is a notable aspect of their draft history, highlighting the potential value of having a player like Tkachuk on the team. With 26 games remaining in the season, Slafkovsky now has the opportunity to manifest his intentions on the ice. By adopting a more physical style, he could not only elevate his performance but also enhance the overall excitement of Canadiens’ games as the season progresses.
This proactive mindset from Slafkovsky is a positive development for the Canadiens, indicating his willingness to grow and adapt as a player in a highly competitive league.