The sky is the limit for Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky

If a first-overall pick doesn't light up the world in their first-year pro, it doesn't mean they're a bust. Juraj Slafkovsky is a perfect example of why you shouldn't judge a hockey player on a first bad season in the league.

Slafkovsky was the number one overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft and that type of pedigree came with high expectations. Slafkovsky didn't meet those expectations, scoring just four goals and six assists, for 10 points, and was a -13. However, Slafkovsky was just a teenager when he was drafted by Montreal.

Asking a teenager to come into the NHL, the best hockey league in the world, to come in and become a game-changer was unrealistic from the start. Still, most hockey fans were already writing Slafkovsky off heading into just his second NHL season.

Juraj Slafkovsky proved every wrong in his second year of NHL action

Slafkovsky improved his point total by 40, his goal total by 16, and his assist total by 24. Usually, you talk about sophomore slumps, but for Slafkovsky it was a first-year slump. There's no reason to think that he can't score at least 70 points this upcoming season and score nearly 30 goals.

The Canadians improved their roster significantly with the addition of Patrik Laine. Slafkovsky will be the player on the Canadians that will benefit the most from Laine's arrival. He's the perfect goal scorer to be on a line with Slafkovsky.

No, I'm not predicting the Canadians make the playoffs. But they should make big strides and get close. They've got a decent goalie tandem and a plethora of young forwards primed to take the next step.

They play in a very tough Atlantic Division, however. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Boston Bruins look like they're not falling off anytime soon.

Also, the Red Wings look like a team that could finally end their playoff drought this season. You never know but look for Montreal to take big steps and potentially be in play for fourth in the division.