September 9, 2022 2:06 PM PST
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The sports world was shocked when the Montreal Canadiens selected Slovakian winger Juraj Slafkovsky with their 1st overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft instead of Shane Wright.
However, Slafkovsky has been horribly underrated by ESPN.
Slafkovsky, 18, showed major potential during his 2022 Olympic campaign where he scored 7 goals in 7 games for the Slovakia national team. This was the point that he shot up the draft rankings.
Here are his stats beginning in 2015-16.
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ESPN doesn't believe that Slafkovsky will produce as a top-line winger, not at least in his debut season for the Montreal Canadiens.
According to ESPN, he will only play in 62 games next season, scoring 10 goals and 24 total points. This would be an absolutely heartbreaking first season for the 1st Overall pick and the Canadiens franchise.
Here are the stat line predictions for the Canadiens main core heading into 2022-23. Slavkovsky is the 3rd player on this post.
Who will end up with more points in their first season. Shane Wright or Juraj Slafkovsky?
