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PRAGUE — Juraj Slafkovsky already was more than eager for the 2024-25 NHL season to begin. Now, he wishes the Montreal Canadiens could drop the puck right now.

That’s what having Patrik Laine added to your team can do.

“Especially with the Patrik Laine trade, I’m really looking forward to the season,” Slafkovsky expressed during the NHL European Player Media Tour on Wednesday. “It’s interesting, you spend the summer speculating what the year will bring, who your teammates will be, what role you’ll have, and frankly, I’m eager to get started and play already.”

“I’d love if we could bypass training camp and jump straight into the season, as I’m eager to participate in games that hold significance.”

The No. 1 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft first learned Montreal had acquired Laine when he arrived here to take part in the media tour. Laine, the No. 2 pick by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2016 NHL Draft, was acquired by Montreal along with a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft for defenseman Jordan Harris on Monday.

Slafkovsky expressed joy upon landing in Prague and receiving the news on his phone. He recalled being a fan in 2016 when he was 13 or 14 years old, eagerly anticipating if his favorite player or Auston Matthews, the center for Toronto Maple Leafs, would be the first to go in the NHL Draft.

Laine made many fans during his first two seasons with the Jets, scoring 36 goals his rookie season and 44 in his second year. But the forward scored a total of 58 over the next two seasons and was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets with center Jack Roslovic on Jan. 23, 2021 for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. In four seasons with the Blue Jackets, he scored 64 goals in 174 games, including six goals in 18 games last season before he sustained a broken clavicle on Dec. 14.

The 26-year-old started getting help from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on January 28 and was discharged from the program on July 26.

“Seeing him join our team is gratifying and hopefully, he’s equally ecstatic,” stated Slafkovsky. “I’m convinced he’s eager to rejuvenate his career, and I believe Montreal is an excellent location for him to achieve that.”

Slafkovsky might share a line with Laine, who has amassed 388 points, consisting of 204 goals and 184 assists in 480 NHL games. Additionally, Laine has achieved 16 points, with eight goals and eight assists, in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

“Slavkovsky stated, “I recognize him, but I am unsure if he recognizes me.”

The 20-year-old is about to enter his third season. Last season, he scored 50 points, including 20 goals and 30 assists, in 82 games, making him the fourth highest scorer on the Canadiens. He signed an extension contract with Montreal on July 2nd that will start in the 2025-26 season. The contract is for eight years and is worth $60.8 million, averaging $7.6 million annually.

Slafkovsky stated that he felt much more at ease in his second season compared to his inaugural year, which was truncated due to a lower-body injury. This injury restricted him to a score of just 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 39 games.

“Comparing my first and second year is impossible,” said Slafkovsky. “Looking back at my first 39 games, I feel like a completely different player now. It’s as if I was three different players in my last year in Finland, my first year in Montreal, and my second year in Montreal.”

Going into this season, Slafkovsky is looking to continue his development to become the the player the Canadiens envisioned when they selected him ahead of defenseman Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils, forward Logan Cooley of the Utah Hockey Club and Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken.

Montreal had enough confidence in Slafkovsky’s potential to secure him with a long-term contract. General Manager Kent Hughes hopes that by the end of the deal, it will be seen as a bargain.

“I think typically those long-term deals on the back end of them, those players should be underpaid,” Hughes said at the Hlinka Gretzky under-18 tournament in Edmonton on Aug. 7. “Effectively, they are making more money at the front end that they would otherwise make if they want shorter term. So I think naturally at the back end of those deals, at least the cap number should be favorable to the team and if it’s not, then you made the bet on the wrong horse.”

With the addition of Laine, the return of forward Kirby Dach, who missed all but two games last season with a torn MCL and ACL in his right knee, and talented players such as forwards Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook all coming of age, Slafkovsky said he believes Montreal has the pieces in place to make the playoffs for the first time since going to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

He stated that expectations have increased in a hockey-savvy market that boasts some of the most informed fans in the NHL.

“During my initial two years, Montreal has remained peaceful since the fans realize that the rebuild won’t occur instantly,” Slafkovsky stated. “Although it’s a process that takes time, the fans are starting to anticipate progress. We also believe the time is ripe and I’m eager to continue striving towards that point when we will excel.”