Juraj Slafkovsky’s season has faced difficulties as the young forward has been assigned to the Montreal Canadiens’ fourth line, now playing with Kirby Dach. This change was first made during Saturday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights and was reaffirmed in Monday’s practice lineup. Although head coach Martin St. Louis stated that the demotion wasn’t meant as a “message,” he emphasized what Slafkovsky must do to regain a spot on a line that reflects his abilities.
“Just focus on taking what the game gives him,” St. Louis told the media. “Play the game without pre-conceived ideas about what to do; be prepared for anything and stay engaged throughout your entire shift.”
It seems Slafkovsky has grasped the message. He acknowledged that he wasn’t performing well enough and deemed the demotion “well-deserved.” He expressed frustration when he was sidelined last week but recognized that he had some poor shifts and needed to improve. When questioned about his youth, he noted that age doesn’t matter as much as the number of games played, and despite being only 20, he has already seen significant action.
With just one goal in 17 games this season—none in his last 13—the 19-year-old needs to enhance his productivity. Next season, he is set to earn $7.6 million annually, and the Canadiens cannot afford to have a player they are heavily investing in not performing.
Though his points-per-game average of 0.65 is slightly better than last season, his production must increase to correspond with his upcoming salary.
St. Louis highlighted the importance of being “engaged” during Slafkovsky’s shifts, noting that it involves responding to the game’s demands and maintaining a fast pace on both offense and defense. It’s likely he will adapt.
On the other hand, Kirby Dach, the other player demoted by St. Louis, faces a more challenging path to regain the coach’s trust. Dach has struggled significantly, and his mistakes and turnovers are becoming increasingly problematic. He appears to be hampered by a lack of confidence and is still recovering from a lengthy injury that seems to linger in his mind.
