Slafkovsky eyes improvement: 'I'll play better than in my rookie season'

Montreal Canadiens youngster Juraj Slafkovsky didn't enjoy the smoothest transition to the NHL this past season, but the 2022 first overall pick is confident he'll improve in 2023-24.

"I expect the pressure from the fans to be even higher," Slafkovsky said in a recent interview with Slovak reporter Tomas Prokop. "I believe I'm well prepared, and I'll play better than in my rookie season. I have my goals, but I'll keep them secret."

Expectations were high after Montreal picked Slafkovsky over Shane Wright, who tumbled to the Seattle Kraken in the No. 4 spot at the 2022 NHL Draft.

Slafkovsky struggled to live up to the hype, registering just four goals and 10 points in 39 contests before suffering a season-ending knee injury in mid-January.

The 6-foot-3 winger is hopeful that he's "100% now," adding that he's lost some weight and expects to be faster on the ice. Slafkovsky has also been working to improve his lung capacity and said he's "seeing a positive change."

"I'm feeling a bit better compared to last year," he said. "I was just working on the little things. ... Everything is on track."

By the time the Habs' season opener arrives on Oct. 11, Slafkovsky will have gone almost exactly nine months between regular-season games.

Slafkovsky put up five goals and five assists in 31 games and added seven points in 18 playoff contests as a member of TPS in Finland's top hockey league during the 2021-22 season.

The 19-year-old has also dominated on the international stage, netting a tournament-high seven goals in seven games to help Slovakia win bronze at the 2022 Olympics. Slafkovsky then added a team-leading nine points in eight contests at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.