NHL Player of the Month: Juraj Slafkovský
For a couple of months to begin the season, the prevailing theory was that Juraj Slafkovský wasn’t ready for NHL hockey. He seemed to be a step behind the play, showing a lack of awareness when it came to the physicality of the game, and struggled to find any level of consistency while being bounced around the lineup.
One person who didn’t hold that belief was Martin St-Louis, who convinced management to keep the sophomore in the NHL to keep adjusting to the pace. Placing Slafkovský on a line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, the coach’s conviction was rewarded.
When the calendar turned to December, Slafkovský had seven points on the season. Getting comfortable on his new trio, he ended 2023 with six points in his last seven games. His physical presence along the boards has elevated the duo of Suzuki and Caufield form one that could contribute points between long stretches in the defensive zone to one that spent the majority of its shifts on the attack. After that line was put together on December 4, he led all Canadiens players who dressed for more than three games in expected-goals-for percentage at 59.6%. As we enter the 2024 portion of the season, the points should only increase as the trio grows in familiarity.
Honourable mention: Nick Suzuki
Each month when we look at the performances of the players, Suzuki is right at the top of the list of point-producers, but one of teammates has put in a more noteworthy effort. The captain just quietly does his thing with little fanfare. Now that his line is complete with three players working in unison on a nightly basis, those quiet, subtle plays are happening with enough regularity to truly show off his brilliance. Reading plays to make an interception, a small delay to help set up a teammate, a quick stick adjustment to open a lane, or just recognizing his chance to get a shot off of his own are things that happen multiple times a game. There aren’t flashes of his talent, but minute-long shifts of it.
He ended December with 14 points in 12 games, held off the scoresheet just three times. Like Slafkovský, he is really ramping up his offence of late, with 10 points in his last eight games, six of those played without last change on the road. The final 46 games should be good for the centreman, and he has a realistic shot at hitting his pre-season prediction of being a point-per-game player.
— Justin Blades
AHL Player of the Month: Jakub Dobeš
The month of December got off to an inauspicious start for Jakub Dobeš as he surrendered three goals on seven shots before being pulled in just under four minutes of game time. It’s the kind of game that creates a Rubicon of sorts for young goaltenders’ it can derail a season, or forge a mindset for improving and making sure it doesn’t happen again. Dobeš chose the latter, posting a 5-1-1 record in the month of December, and galvanizing the Rocket’s climb out of the divisional basement.
After an overtime loss to Hartford, Dobeš wasn’t happy about the Wolf Pack’s celebrations, so he slammed the door shut in a win less than 24 hours later and looked like a brand new player between the pipes.
His early games were highlighted by chaotic movements, losing his net, and struggling behind a defence that was porous at the best of times. Since the start of the month, he has dialed in his movements, using his large frame to cover the net well and his long legs to seal the bottom half while maintaining his composure under fire. His confidence between the pipes has had a cascading effect as the defence of the Rocket seems to have settled in nicely to create a much more stable environment in front of him as well.
The arrival of veteran goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo has also seemed to bring out the best in Dobeš, and the young Czech has the net for J.-F. Houle heading into 2024 with no sign of that changing.
— Scott Matla
European Prospect of the Month: Filip Eriksson
While he wasn’t selected for Sweden’s WJC squad, he has taken the increased role with Växjö as a chance to prove Sweden’s coach Hävelid wrong. Eriksson has filled the shoes of Noah Östlund with strong, secure play, and while he doesn’t have the offensive edge of Östlund, he has pitched in with smarts and four assists in the last five games, only going empty-handed in two of the games in December.
Vinzenz Rohrer and Bogdan Konyushkov had good months as well, but in weaker leagues, and with more minutes. Those factors made Eriksson the easy choice for player of the month.
While Eriksson is far from a finished product, the strong foundation makes him easy to slot into Växjö’s SHL lineup; the fact that he hasn’t played on the U20 team is a statement in itself. While Eriksson builds his game as a skilled passer, I would like to see more shots taken from the young Swede, as he hasn’t yet registered his first goal in SHL.
Honurable mention: Vinzenz Rohrer
The Austrian comes in just behind Eriksson this month, with three assists in seven games. Both players played less than 13 minutes a game, but are being kept up with the professional teams.
— Patrik Bexell
North American Prospect of the Month: Jacob Fowler
Fowler takes the honours for the last month of 2023 with his inspired play and big saves for Boston College resulting in great numbers and a World Juniors call-up. The Habs’ third-round pick of 2023 put up a 2.36 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage in 11 games for the Eagles while helping them put up an 8-2-1 record with him in net.
At the World Juniors, Fowler’s numbers aren’t impressive through two starts, but in both of those games, the defence in front of him (Lane Hutson included) was more to blame for the score than he was. Behind-the-net plays quickly ending with an open shot from the low slot, cross-ice passes to an open man, and the American blue line struggling to clear the crease were the main culprits on the six goals he allowed on 47 shots combined against Czechia and Norway.
An inspired performance in the shootout against Czechia showed how well Fowler handles one-on-one situations and the pressure of being solely responsible if the puck goes in. His composure and ability to bounce back from a goal against have been obvious since day one, but his NCAA play puts that on full display. In simpler terms, he is unshakeable.
Filip Mešár could very well have earned the honours for this month. He has turned into a leader for Slovakia early on in the World Juniors group stage to go along with his seven points in four games played. However, his production dipped slightly in the OHL — only six points in five games.
The opposite is true for Hutson, who scored 13 points in eight NCAA games before his World Juniors call-up but has been average at best and unrecognizable at worst in the tournament. Fowler being good in both league and tournament play is the difference-maker.
— Hadi Kalakeche
| NHL Player | AHL Player | EU Prospect | NA Prospect | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | Juraj Slafkovský | Jakub Dobeš | Filip Eriksson | Jacob Fowler |
| November | Alex Newhook | Brandon Gignac | Adam Engström | Jacob Fowler |
| October | Cole Caufield | Joshua Roy | Oliver Kapanen | Cedrick Guindon |
