In a bold move that left many in the hockey world scratching their heads, the Montreal Canadiens chose Juraj Slafkovsky as their top pick in the 2022 NHL draft over highly touted Canadian prospect Shane Wright. Fast forward to the present, and Slafkovsky is making a strong case for himself as a top player in the league. His impressive hat trick in Game 1 of the playoffs has fans and analysts alike taking notice of the Slovakian winger's skills, which are quickly silencing doubters who questioned the Canadiens' decision to pass on Wright. As Slafkovsky continues to shine on the ice, he's proving that the Canadiens' faith in him was well-placed, and his name is becoming increasingly synonymous with big-time performances.
Juraj Slafkovsky's hat trick in Game 1 of the playoffs was more proof he's a big-time player. The Montreal Canadiens drafted him first overall in 2022 instead of longtime projected No. 1 Shane Wright.