(Tampa) Juraj Slafkovsky is not going to end this season with 30, 40 or 50 goals on his record, but that doesn’t stop him from dreaming of these numbers.
As he prepares to face the Lightning with his Canadian colleagues on Saturday night in Tampa, the young forward has 13 goals on his record. Is it sufficient ? It depends on who you talk to, but when you talk to the main person involved, you understand that it’s not enough.
“I still have so much to learn, and I feel that I am progressing,” he admitted Saturday noon in the corridors of a luxury hotel in Tampa. I don’t focus so much on points, but at the same time I know it’s important, because if I score two goals in a match, for example, I know it gives my team a better chance of winning ! And first of all, that’s what I want, for the team to win. »
Again on Saturday, Martin St-Louis spoke of progress in the case of Slafkovsky, who will compete on Saturday evening in the 100e game of his young career in the National League.
“At 19, you haven’t finished moving forward, and I think we’re only starting to see what he can do,” the Canadian coach said about him. Like any young player, there are ups and downs. But his attitude, his work ethic and his commitment demonstrate maturity. »
The big Slovak himself admits that he is still on the learning curve, but he also recognizes that it is a little easier for him this season.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Juraj Slafkovsky
After a first season marked by a knee injury and only 39 games played, he finds himself in 2023-24 with 13 goals and 18 assists to his record, for a total of 31 points in 60 games.
“Last season was difficult, overall, because I was looking for myself,” he added.
This season, I feel a lot more confident, and when you are more confident, you start thinking less about all kinds of things, because you understand that by playing well on the ice, the points will end up come anyway.
Juraj Slafkovsky
Unless he falls from grace in each of his club’s last 22 games, Juraj Slafkovsky is not going to reach a prestigious number this season, but he is thinking about it.
“Of course I would like to score 30 goals per season, 40 goals, 50 or 60 goals, whatever! But I just want to win, and if I can one day get to a 30-goal season, why not? I hope my goal total will grow from year to year. »