The Montreal Canadiens have announced that Juraj Slafkovsky will be sidelined for at least a week due to a shoulder injury. This update was shared at the beginning of the week.
The team’s choice is focused on his recovery to prevent aggravating the injury by playing in additional games. Despite his attempts to participate, the young Slovak has not appeared to be fully fit in his recent performances.
Renaud Lavoie provided insights into Slafkovsky’s injury, indicating that it has been an ongoing issue. A significant fall on his shoulder during last week’s game against the Kings likely worsened his condition. Although he played against the Islanders subsequently, his health appeared to decline, prompting the team’s decision to remove him from the lineup.
There are questions about whether this injury is connected to previous back problems that prevented him from joining Slovakia in a tournament last August. While the injuries are different, their timing raises concerns regarding his overall health. It’s possible that compensating for one injury has led to another, but it’s essential not to rush to conclusions.
The Canadiens’ primary focus should be ensuring Slafkovsky returns when he is fully healthy. With a demanding season ahead, it makes little sense to have him play while not in peak condition. If a week of rest proves insufficient, a longer hiatus may be necessary to protect the young player’s future.
At just 20 years old, Slafkovsky has accumulated 6 points in 6 games this season, following a strong performance of 50 points in 82 games last year. Despite these impressive statistics, he hasn’t played at his best since the beginning of the season, so this brief break is hopefully beneficial for him.
