Development at the CH: the management would have made an important decision concerning the future of Juraj Slafkovsky

After being used mostly on the team's fourth unit, with barely ten minutes of playing time at the beginning of the season, many wondered if it would be better to demote the first overall pick in the last draft to the Laval Rocket, so that he could get a lot more playing time.

However, after being given a role on the second power play in November due to the team's internal injuries, the big Slovakian is now being used on the second pairing with Sean Monahan and Josh Anderson.

Without taking anything away from Jake Evans and Michael Pezzetta, it must be said that he has done very well since finding more talented and offensive partners.

If, at one point in the season, an appearance at the next World Junior Championship seemed like a real possibility, the situation is now very different with the Canadiens.

In an interview with Guillaume Lefrançois of La Presse, Jeff Gorton, Vice-President of Hockey Operations, admitted that they have already told the Slovaks not to expect Slafkovsky to be released for the famous holiday tournament.

However, as a good manager, Gorton still left the door open for that possibility, should there be any last-minute changes.

It's true that a tournament with players his age couldn't hurt his confidence and development. However, the Tricolore's many significant internal injuries make his presence in the NHL more than necessary.

With Mike Hoffman, Jonathan Drouin, Brendan Gallagher and possibly now Sean Monahan on the sidelines, it's safe to say that the club management's choice is made and he won't be loaned out to Slovakia for the WJC.

Credit: InTheSluts