Slafkovsky calls out anyone who calls him a draft bust

2022 1st overall selection Juraj Slafkovsky had a decent first season in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens.

Not great. Not even really particularly good... but decent.

The 6'3", 240 lb Slovakian winger put up four goals and 10 points in 39 games and found himself out of the lineup on more nights than I'm sure he'd like. He was under the microscope more than perhaps any other rookie last season and impressed at times, but he wasn't even close to being in a class with the likes of the NHL's top rookies like Matty Beniers, Owen Power and Mason McTavish.

Part of his lacklustre showing last season comes down to a knee injury that he suffered in January, that Slafkovsky says he has recovered from completely. And for anyone out there doubting him, Slafkovsky is quick to shut anyone up who calls him a bust. To those people, Slafkovsky says, "Just watch me this year."

"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."

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

That should come as a welcome relief to Habs fans. Needless to say that Slafkovsky is a HUGE part of this team's future.