With seven points in 22 games, Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky appears to be progressing quite quietly. However, his line partner Cole Caufield had nothing but good things to say about the young Slovakian on Wednesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“He played well recently,” said the little number 22 after his team’s 4-2 win. He’s gaining confidence and you can tell he’s calmer with the puck. He worked on that. He has to continue to grow and we are proud of him.
Caufield particularly praised the Slovakian for his communication on and off the ice.
“The more you play with someone, the easier it gets,” Caufield continued. Communication on the bench and between lessons improves. He’s young and will always have things to work on. I like the direction his game is taking and he’s fun to play with.
“I would tell him to shoot a little more. I don’t mind shooting. (…) He will learn with experience. He is a good player but it will take time.
Caufield didn’t have a bad game with a goal he scored off a counter shot from Christian Dvorak. Slafkovsky also received an assist in that game, his fifth of the season. However, the CH striker looked very bad on the Jackets’ first goal, Patrik Laine’s.
The Habs won’t have time to sit idle as they take on the Florida Panthers on Thursday night at the Bell Center.
Watch Cole Caufield’s press conference in the video above.