The Montreal hockey world woke up to a shockwave, as Georges Laraque—never one to hold back—sent ripples through social media, sports talk radio, and locker room debates with a single, brutally honest assessment. In the glare of studio lights and the charged atmosphere of BPM Sports, Laraque didn’t just name his most disappointing Canadiens player so far this season; he dissected the case with the precision of a surgeon and the passion of a lifelong fan. And the target of his critique? None other than Juraj Slafkovsky, the young forward whose every shift has been scrutinized since the opening puck drop.

It’s a moment that instantly divides opinion. Slafkovsky, with his imposing frame and tantalizing skill set, was supposed to be Montreal’s next great hope—a power forward destined to dominate, a cornerstone for the rebuild, and a player whose contract reflects sky-high expectations. But as Laraque’s words echoed across Quebec, the conversation shifted from promise to performance, from potential to reality. “Most disappointing player, aside from Monty… I’m sorry, with all the minutes he’s played, the fact that we keep him on the power play, Gonzo, for me he’s much better than what we’re seeing. That’s my disappointment after 21 games,” Laraque declared, his voice tinged with both frustration and a kind of tough love reserved for those who wear the Canadiens crest.

The numbers tell part of the story, but for Laraque, it’s about more than stats—it’s about impact. He hammered home the opportunities Slafkovsky has received: prime minutes, power-play time, and a role that most young players only dream of. Yet, according to Laraque, the expected physical dominance has been missing. “He doesn’t hit, Gonzo. He doesn’t play like a ‘power forward.’ He’s too inconsistent, yet there are games where, when he is consistent, he’s unstoppable.” The message rang clear: talent alone isn’t enough.

But Laraque’s critique didn’t stop there. He turned up the heat, pointing to the financial commitment the Canadiens have made to Slafkovsky—a $7.6 million contract that comes with the weight of expectation. “His lack of consistency, with the physical tools this guy has, and the opportunities we’ve given him… don’t forget how much he makes, 7.6 million. There’s an expectation that comes with that contract. He needs to be consistent. At the beginning of the year you said this guy was going to put up close to 70 points. Now, he’s off to a bad start.”

With every sentence, Laraque’s words became a rallying cry for accountability, not just for Slafkovsky but for the entire organization. The debate is no longer about raw potential—it’s about delivering night in and night out, living up to the trust placed in you, and proving that you can be the difference-maker fans and management crave.

Yet, in the midst of criticism, hope flickers. Slafkovsky’s recent performance against the Maple Leafs was a glimpse of what could be, a reminder that the talent is there for all to see. The question now is whether he can harness it, silence the doubters, and become the player everyone expects him to be.

Dive deeper into Laraque’s comments, the numbers behind Slafkovsky’s season, and the mounting pressure in Montreal. Is this just a bump in the road for a future star, or a sign of bigger issues within the Canadiens’ rebuild? The answers might surprise you.

Photo of Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach, Arber Xhekaj and Georges Laraque

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

Since yesterday morning, Georges Laraque has been generating a lot of discussion because of his comments about Juraj Slafkovsky on BPM Sports.

He shared his thoughts in a very honest, direct, and fairly harsh way regarding the young Canadiens forward, especially considering the important role the team has given him since the start of the season.

Georges Laraque’s perspective on minutes and performance

On the show with Gonzo, Laraque did not beat around the bush.
He explained why, in his view, aside from Samuel Montembeault, Juraj Slafkovsky is the most disappointing player:

“Most disappointing player, aside from Monty… I’m sorry, with all the minutes he’s played, the fact that we keep him on the power play, Gonzo, for me he’s much better than what we’re seeing. That’s my disappointment after 21 games.”

– Georges Laraque

Laraque then emphasized the opportunities given to Slafkovsky:

“Look at the minutes, the power-play time we’ve given him. He doesn’t hit, Gonzo. He doesn’t play like a ‘power forward.’ He’s too inconsistent, yet there are games where, when he is consistent, he’s unstoppable.” Laraque added

And his final point, even harsher, concerns the physical aspect, the chances he has received… and especially the contract:

“His lack of consistency, with the physical tools this guy has, and the opportunities we’ve given him… don’t forget how much he makes, 7.6 million. There’s an expectation that comes with that contract. He needs to be consistent. At the beginning of the year you said this guy was going to put up close to 70 points. Now, he’s off to a bad start.”

– Georges Laraque

In short, you get the point. It’s true that with his opportunities and his contract, expectations are higher. However, his performance against the Maple Leafs was outstanding, and that’s what everybody wants to see from him.