Montreal Canadiens
Slafkovsky Smartly Steers Tough Question About Canadiens Fans
After a recent 9-2 loss, Montréal Canadiens star Juraj Slafkovsky was asked if he would pay to watch his own team play. What was his answer?
During a recent press conference, an intriguing and somewhat provocative question was posed to Montreal Canadiens’ young star, Juraj Slafkovsky: Would you spend hundreds of dollars to watch your team play right now?
It was a tricky question but also a fair one for the media to ask. The Canadiens are in the midst of a rebuilding phase—showing moments of promise but still far from being a consistent contender. This season, their ups and downs have led to some tough losses, like the one they just suffered, and flashes of exciting young talent that give fans hope for the future.
When asked if he would pay hundreds of dollars to watch this team, he responded, “Ya, I would.” When asked why, he added, “Young players, there’s still so much in front of us. Doesn’t change anything. What are you going to say tomorrow if we manage to get a win? No?”
Slafkovsky smartly but politely threw the question back at the reporter. And he was right. Would you ask a fan if they would have paid to watch the Canadiens win? Every team loses. They don’t necessarily lose as often as the Canadiens are right now, and maybe not 9-2, but the Canadiens don’t always lose.
A Tough Question for a Rebuilding Team
Slafkovsky’s response to the question was calm. The way he responded spoke to the gap between the team’s potential and the reality of its current struggles. The Canadiens are a young team in transition. They have talented prospects, but as their fans have seen this season, they still need to find consistency. The occasional blowout loss, like the 9-2 drubbing by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night, is a stark reminder that they are still a few pieces away from competing at the highest level.
While Slafkovsky, a young player with a professional athlete’s salary, isn’t the person paying for a ticket, he believes his team is worth watching because they are young and working hard. This perspective adds a layer to the discussion. He acknowledged the team’s growing pains and the reality of their rebuilding process. But he believed they were growing as well.
The Future is Bright, But the Present Still Needs Work
From the reporter’s side, the question comes from their representation of the fanbase. The Canadiens fans spend money and time supporting their team. In this case, the question asks a player to reflect on the product’s value when the team is still far from being a finished product.
Does spending top dollar to watch a team still finding its footing makes sense? Does the excitement of watching a young team with future potential justify the cost?
The Canadiens are a team in progress, building toward a promising future. While fans might hesitate to pay for tickets during this rebuilding phase, the excitement around young players like Slafkovsky offers hope. His response to recent questions highlights the team’s growth journey. The value of watching them now depends on whether fans see potential in their development or focus solely on current struggles.
Related: Penguins Score 9 Goals As Offence Clicks Against Canadiens
