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First year of Slaf’s big contract: the pressure will be on… and expectations will change

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 11:36 AM ET

On July 1, 2024, Juraj Slafkovsky broke the bank: the forward signed an eight-year contract with the Canadiens worth a total of $60.8 million… which is a lot of money for a player of his age. But the contract has just come to an end, and the time has come for Slaf to show the Habs that they’ve made the right decision. When you look at his record on Hockey DB, it’s hard to criticize him, because two seasons (50 and 51) before the age of 22 is really good. Because two 50-point seasons (50 and 51) before the age of 22… that’s really good. That said, we know where the “problem” lies with the player: at the start of the campaign, it’s often more difficult. And now, Slaf can’t afford to get off to another rocky start. Expectations won’t be the same, and he’ll have to produce at the level of his talent to justify the salary ($7.6M per year) he’ll be earning.

(Credit: Screenshot / PuckPedia)

[content-ads] Slaf isn’t crazy. He knows he has to start his seasons better, and clearly, this is a pretty clear goal for him for the next campaign.

He’d like to rack up 65-70 points in 25-26… and starting the season strong will give him a chance of achieving that goal. But it will be interesting to see if the pressure of his new contract affects him. That wasn’t the case for Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, who were able to be very good as soon as they signed their respective big contracts. And we know that Slaf will be well surrounded to produce too… so it’s possible to believe that the big Slovak forward will be able to produce up to said expectations too. I’d like to see him explode this year. He’s got the resources to make it happen, he’s got the talent and the size to make it happen… and we also know he’s worked hard this summer. We know he’ll be able to rely a little more on the quality of his shot because he’s drawing faster than ever.

Now it’s up to him to do what he has to do to prove to Kent Hughes that his contract can become a bargain in the NHL…

Slaf’s shot really looks dangerous.

Heavy and weighty. He needs to use it more next season. @DLCoulisses pic.twitter.com/DKqtvDanHm– Marc-Olivier Cook (@Cook_Marco) July 23, 2025

[spacer title=’Overtime’]- Footage of Adam Engstrom practicing.

Adam Engström practices one timers (the middle player) being teed up by Max Bohlin (Rögles assistent coach) #Habs #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/4NAQkodHRN

– Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) August 27, 2025

– Penguins sale far enough along?

Frank Seravalli: Re Penguins sale: Sources indicate that the Fenway Sports group is closing in on a sale to the Hoffman Family; that sale is on track to close; the expected valuation…$1.75 billion dollars – Bleacher Report (8/26)

– NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) August 27, 2025

– Please note.