(Hoboken, New Jersey) Last season, Juraj Slafkovsky invited his friend and compatriot Simon Nemec to dinner during the latter’s visit to Laval.
Fast forward to Tuesday evening. The two Slovaks were seated together again for supper, but this time, Slafkovsky was happy, during his morning meeting with the journalists, to point out that it was Nemec who was responsible for the bill.
Has he become such a sleuth that he has realized that it is better to pick up the bill when it is in Canadian dollars? Who knows, but whatever happens, this Wednesday match will be memorable for him.
“It’s pretty special to face him,” admitted Slafkovsky, at the hotel where the CH is staying. We were drafted together, we’ve known each other for so long. It will be pleasant. I’m going to finish my checks on him! »
This will be a very first duel for picks 1 and 2 of the 2022 draft. However, they took very different paths to get there.
Nemec spent last season in the American League, and he played the first quarter of this campaign there. Recalled on 1er December, he will play on Wednesday his 21e game in the NHL. Injuries to the Devils blue line mean that he is already employed nearly 21 minutes per game on average.
Slafkovsky will be at his 83e match. Initially shuffled from one trio to another, he has however benefited from stability for a month and a half, having played the last 19 games in the first trio with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
We specify his number of matches because Slafkovsky played 82, the equivalent of a full season. He scored 26 points, a modest total, but is pointing in the right direction with 8 points in his last 12 outings.
“It goes by quickly,” said Slafkovsky, when faced with the fact that he had a full season under his belt. I feel so much better. It’s only 80 games, but I see progress. I’m sure it will continue and the next 82 will be even better. »
PHOTO DAVID KIROUAC, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Juraj Slafkovsky (20) had 26 points in 82 games.
Each player progresses at their own pace. Some, after 82 matches, have already given an idea of what they will become. We will therefore not be surprised to see Connor McDavid with 90 points in his first 82 games in the NHL, Elias Pettersson at 80 points, or Johnny Gaudreau at 66 points.
On the other hand, others have had more timid starts. Mikko Rantanen, who arrived like Slafkovsky from TPS Turku and is a big winger, was limited to 36 points in 82 games, before exploding. And conversely, another big Finnish winger, Patrik Laine, amassed 70 points, before following an up and down path.
When will we know Slafkovsky’s true identity? “It’s different for everyone. It’s not a question of the number of matches. It’s about getting to the finish line,” Martin St-Louis simply replied.
Barron returns
In addition to the return of Samuel Montembeault in front of the net, Martin St-Louis will make one change to his squad. Justin Barron will return to the lineup and take Johnathan Kovacevic’s place on the blue line.
PHOTO MATT SLOCUM, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Justin Barron
Only the CH reserves put on skates Wednesday morning, so we do not know what combinations St-Louis will use. It will be interesting to see if he maintains his new duos. In the last two matches, against McDavid and MacKinnon, he paired the speedy Mike Matheson and Kaiden Guhle, while the strong Jayden Struble and David Savard formed a tandem.
St-Louis said it was happy with this new arrangement, while recalling that these are “only two matches”. We’ll know in the evening if it will stop at two.
Meier returns
A scheduling conflict made it impossible to cover Devils practice and attend Martin St-Louis’ press briefing.
According to New Jersey media who were at the Prudential Center, forward Timo Meier will return to the game after a six-game absence, while veteran defenseman Brendan Smith will be missing after being injured in the last game. Defender Luke Hughes was ill and missed practice, but the team is hopeful he will play.
Nico Daws will defend the net formerly protected by Alain Chevrier.