Former top pick’s future in Montreal hangs in the balance

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This season for the Montreal Canadiens is all about taking small steps, and they’ve managed to sidestep the basement of the Atlantic Division at the season’s halfway point. Sitting sixth in the division, with the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres keeping them company in frustration, the Habs are clinging to any positives they can muster. And there are indeed silver linings to discuss.

Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are continuing their upward trajectory, establishing themselves as crucial talents. Meanwhile, Jake Evans is beginning to emerge as a subtly invaluable piece of the Canadiens’ puzzle. But let’s not overlook Lane Hutson – his emergence has been a pleasant surprise, as he’s adapted quickly and remarkably well to the big stage.

However, there’s an elephant in the room, and that’s Juraj Slafkovsky. The former No. 1 overall pick is having a decent season with 20 points and four goals in 33 games, but expectations were much higher.

Ideally, Slafkovsky should be among the team’s top-three point leaders. His draft pedigree suggests that anything short of elite performance feels a little underwhelming.

That being said, Slafkovsky is on the shortlist of players in the NHL who need a breakout second half.

He’s projected to finish the season with about 47 to 48 points and nine to 10 goals, a step back from his impactful 50-point, 20-goal season last year that cemented his place with the Canadiens for the long haul. Looking at his advanced metrics, Slafkovsky has struggled to dominate at even strength, with a Corsi For percentage lingering below 50 throughout his career. He’s been part of the action for just 20 goals this season, while opponents have lit the lamp 28 times during his shifts, contributing to a career-low on-ice save percentage of 87.4.

On the brighter side, there’s a bump in his on-ice shooting percentage, which sits at 10.3 percent—more than a half-percentage point improvement from the previous season. This offers a glimmer of hope that Slafkovsky can ramp up his productivity and show Canadiens’ faithful he’s worth the long-term investment.

If he can replicate or improve upon his hot streak from the latter half of the 2023-24 season, Slafkovsky has the potential to win over the fan base and secure his spot as a key player in Montreal’s lineup for years to come. The second half of the season will be crucial for him to prove that his draft status and the ensuing expectations are justified. Canadiens fans are ready to cheer; now it’s up to Slafkovsky to give them something to cheer about.