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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 excited about the season,” Slafkovsky shared during the NHL European Player Media Tour on Wednesday. “Throughout the summer, you’re always questioning how the year will unfold, who your teammates will be, and what your role will be. Honestly, I’m eagerly anticipating being there and playing.”

“I’m eager to play meaningful games, so I wish we could bypass training camp and jump straight into the season.”

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.

“Upon landing in Prague, a notification popped up on my phone that filled me with joy,” said Slafkovsky. “Back in 2016, when I was around 13 or 14, I was a huge fan of his. I remember eagerly waiting to see if he or Auston Matthews, the center for Toronto Maple Leafs, would be the first pick in the NHL Draft. I’ve been his fan since those days.”

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 assistance 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 a positive thing, and I hope he’s equally excited,” said Slafkovsky. “I’m confident that he’s eager to revive his career, and I believe Montreal is the ideal location for him to achieve this.”

Slafkovsky might play on the same line as Laine, who in his career has scored 388 points – including 204 goals and 184 assists – in 480 NHL games, and 16 points – made up of eight goals and eight assists – in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

“Slavkovsky stated, “I’m aware of his identity, but I’m uncertain if he recognizes mine.”

The 20-year-old is entering his third season and finished fourth on the Canadiens last season with 50 points (20 goals, 30 assists) in 82 games. On July 2, he signed an eight-year contract extension with Montreal, worth $60.8 million, which is set to begin in the 2025-26 season. This extension brings his average annual value to $7.6 million.

Slafkovsky expressed that he felt significantly more at ease in his second season compared to his rookie year, which was abbreviated due to a lower-body injury. This injury restricted him to 10 points, consisting of four goals and six assists, in 39 games.

“Comparing my first and second year is impossible,” stated Slafkovsky. “Looking at my first 39 games, it’s almost as if it was a different player participating. When I reflect upon my final year in Finland, then my initial and second year in Montreal, it feels like I embodied three distinct players.”

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 was confident enough in Slafkovsky’s potential to secure him with a long-term contract, a deal which General Manager Kent Hughes hopes will be seen as a bargain by its conclusion.

“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 his belief that in a market well-versed in hockey and with some of the most informed NHL fans, expectations have increased.

“During my initial two years, Montreal has remained tranquil, likely because the fans understand that the rebuild won’t occur instantly,” Slafkovsky explained. “While it’s a process that requires time, we’re reaching an instance where they anticipate it to be the right time. We also believe it’s time and I’m eager to continue striving towards that moment when we will excel.”