Since 1989, only three forwards drafted first overall have not started their NHL careers in their draft year. Of those three players, only Mats Sundin in 1989 did not play in the NHL to play another year in another league. The other two are Alexander Ovechkin (lockout) and Eric Lindros (conflict with the Nordiques). With the number of forwards available to the Tricolore, the possibility of Juraj Slafkovsky not starting in Montreal is very real. Martin St-Louis intends to be patient with the youngster and was quite clear about his goal with the first overall pick when he spoke to JiC: <q>The goal with Slaf is to make the best hockey player. Not the best 18-year-old. We don't want to try to do everything to make him have a good season at 18. - Martin St-Louis</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BPMSportsRadio/status/1572622793539485697?t=XZeqfoRo9af2cgu1pgjd2g&s=19'> </a></blockquote></div> Jean-Charles Lajoie made a good point during this segment. According to him, with the depth of the Habs' attack, even playing on the fourth line, Slafkovsky will have the chance to play with good players. In short, how Juraj performs in training camp on and off the ice will determine whether he starts in Montreal. No press with the kid, the organization wants him to become the best hockey player he can be, not a first year saviour.