The Montreal Canadiens Take Juraj Slafkovsky First Overall Did They Make The Right Call?
After the most disappointing season in franchise history the Montreal Canadiens got the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft this was the Canadiens first overall pick since the 1980 NHL Draft and my first to witness as a Montreal Canadiens fan.
The Canadiens had multiple choices for this pick and decided to go with pure offence as the Canadiens drafted Slovakia born Juraj Slafkovsky first overall. Slafkovsky is also the first Slovakia born player to go first overall in NHL history
However after the blunder in 2018 were former Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin went and took Jesperi Kotkaniemi and he's no longer in the organization. Many believed the Canadiens should of drafted Kingston Frontenacs captain Shane Wright First Overall.
This decision was made to form a powerhouse line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and now Juraj Slafkovsky heading home into next season. Juraj Slafkovsky is bigger then Wright at 6'4 and 220 pounds but only time will tell if Canadiens new General Manager Kent Hughes made the right decision on not.
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531393.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) blocks a shot by Team USA forward Jake Guentzel (59) during the third period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530971.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) blocks a shot by Team USA forward Jake Guentzel (59) during the third period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) lifts the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy after winning against Team USA in overtime during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531100.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) lifts the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy after winning against Team USA in overtime during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
