In fine gestures of sportsmanship, remember what Tomas Tatar did for his compatriot Juraj Slafkovsky on Monday night, in what was Slafkovsky’s first-ever preseason game in the National League.
Posted yesterday at 11:21 p.m.
At the initial face-off, the two Slovaks were shoulder to shoulder, the right winger Slafkovsky on the left winger Tatar. In this kind of situation, we will see two players elbowing, but not in this case.
” We talked. We weren’t joking either, but I was just trying to calm him down,” said Tatar, who he met in the New Jersey Devils locker room after their 2-1 win over the Canadiens.
There were many interactions between the two. During the warm-up, Tatar went to bump his fist on that of his compatriot as a form of encouragement. Then, at the end of the game, the two forwards and Filip Mesar, another Slovak Habs prospect, chatted on the ice.
It was only a preparatory match, and Tatar especially wanted it to go well for his two compatriots.
“I’m very proud of both. I know them both. I played with Juraj at the World Championship. I wanted to prepare them for the NHL. I hope they will like it, they are good young people. »
Tatar knows Slafkovsky for wearing national team colors with him, but this was the first time he faced him. But the context was not trivial, on this first night.
“He is calm, he understands what it is to be a first choice, believes Tatar. He has to put that aside and play his style. He is talented, strong. It’s not easy to come to North America and learn a new style, but I think he’ll learn quickly. »
Also for Mesar
Slafkovsky played 17 minutes in this match, compared to 13 min 28 s for Mesar. Normally, the latter would be scrutinized more closely, since he is still a 1st round choice (drafted in 26th place). But in context, it goes a little more unnoticed.
“I understand that Juraj is the first choice, so everyone is talking about him, but don’t forget Filip, warned Tatar. He is also a good player, very effective in all three areas. It can be very useful. He’s a good young man. I met him a few times this summer.
“He could have come to the World Championship with us, but he was injured in the playoffs in the Slovak league. Otherwise, I’m sure he would have been there. It would have been nice to play with him, but I’m sure I’ll see him again in the national team. »
Mesar himself said this week that he saw himself two years out of the NHL. He will therefore have the chance to develop away from the spotlight, whether in Laval, Kitchener or in a European league. But Slafkovsky will be watched closely. Tatar’s advice?
“He had the same type of pressure in Slovakia, recalled the former Canadian. There was also a lot of media around him. It comes with number 1 status. If I was him, I wouldn’t dwell on that too much. I’m sure people will like it. Sometimes there is criticism, but you have to focus on the positive. I’m sure with his personality and attitude, people will love him. »