Juraj Slafkovsky says it himself, without hesitation: this is not the start to the season he was looking for.
“I think I should be better than that,” he admitted in Brossard on Friday. I think I can score goals, but all it takes is the first…”
The problem, precisely, is that this first goal of the season is slow in coming. As the Canadian prepares to host the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday evening at the Bell Centre, the 19-year-old forward is still looking for his first goal of the season, having only one point to go. his record, a pass, as we will have understood it.
One point in seven games, if you do the math. No, that’s not what he wanted.
“I think I’ll feel a lot better after the first goal,” he added candidly. I will feel better after several goals! So of course I’m a little angry, because I’m still looking for that first goal. »
Slafkovsky admits that he had set himself goals at the start of the season (“to score 75 goals!” he joked), but that none of that stopped him from sleeping. There is a certain reality that still affects him, obviously: Kirby Dach, his line partner and center player, is no longer there.
“It’s something that not only affects our line, but also the rest of the team,” he admitted. Because Kirby is so good. But we have no choice, we have to continue to play well, because he won’t be back with us anytime soon. »
On this subject, Slafkovsky taught us that Dach, even injured, continues to serve the club’s cause; perched in the heights of the Bell Center on game nights, he observes the young Slovak’s play, and then gives him valuable advice so that he can improve.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Kirby Dach
Kirby tries to help me by watching the game from above, from the stands, and then we talk and he shares his observations with me… He sees things that I’m not able to see from the sidelines myself. rink, and we talk about it regularly.
Juraj Slafkovsky
For now, Slafkovsky must learn to get along with another center in Alex Newhook, a transition that is not that difficult to make, by his own admission.
“Of course, he and Kirby are different players… Alex is a player whose game is all about speed, and also he doesn’t throw to the same side as Kirby. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s not that big of an adjustment to make. Anyway, we both played with Kirby earlier this season, so there should already be some form of cohesion between Alex and I. »
When it comes to statistics and goals and perhaps also the – distant – dream of a 75-goal season, Juraj Slafkovsky refuses to worry about that. If the young man feels any pressure, it doesn’t show at all.
Because he knows that everything can change in an instant.
“That’s exactly it,” he concluded. I really feel like all I need is that first goal…”
Guhle and Allen Saturday night?
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Kaiden Guhle
Coach Martin St-Louis having taken leave of the media on Friday in Brossard, it was impossible for us to obtain any secrets in view of Saturday evening’s game at the Bell Centre, but if we are to trust our eyes, the defenseman Kaiden Guhle, injured, could attempt a return to play during this visit from the Winnipeg Jets. It also appears that Jake Allen should be the starting goalie. As for Joel Armia, a man of few words if ever there was one, he was unable to confirm anything.
The problem with sports betting
PHOTO PAUL VERNON, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Shane Pinto
The suspension of Shane Pinto in Ottawa continues to cause discussion in the NHL, as does the question of sports betting. “Obviously we don’t want that to happen again,” Brendan Gallagher said of the Senators player, who allegedly bet with the help of a third party, which is prohibited by the NHL collective agreement . “The players are aware; we can bet on other sports like NFL football, and we cannot bet on the results of our league. There are things we can and cannot do, and we must continue to educate the players on this subject. »