Juraj Slafkovsky: Stats, Contract, and Why He Wears a Cage

Few hockey stories move as fast as Juraj Slafkovsky’s — Olympic MVP at 18, first overall pick at 20, and a $60.8 million contract by 21 — and now, in his fourth NHL season, he is drawing attention for a protective cage. This article walks through his career arc, the cage incident, his numbers, and what comes next.

Age: 22 (born March 30, 2004) ·
Height: 6’3″ ·
Weight: 225 lbs ·
Team: Montreal Canadiens ·
Draft: 1st overall, 2022 NHL Draft ·
Contract: $60.8 million (signed July 1, 2024)

Eight key facts about Slafkovsky, one pattern: this is a player who has already packed a full career’s worth of milestones into just a few years.

Why is Juraj Slafkovsky wearing a cage?

What injury led to the cage?

• Slafkovsky was spotted wearing a full cage during practice after sustaining an upper-body injury, as reported by ESPN (sports journalism).
• The cage is a standard precaution for facial protection following impacts to the jaw or cheek area.

The exact incident that caused the injury has not been publicly detailed by the team. Slafkovsky posted a photo of himself in the cage on Instagram with a simple emoji and no further explanation, leaving fans to speculate.

How long will he wear the cage?

• No official timeline has been announced by the Canadiens.
• Typically, players wear a cage or visor for 2–6 weeks after facial injuries, depending on healing.

The implication: until Slafkovsky is cleared by team doctors, the cage stays on. His performance on the ice with the added gear will be closely watched by Montreal’s coaching staff and fans alike.

What is Juraj Slafkovsky’s NHL rating?

EA Sports NHL 26 rating

• EA Sports has not yet released the official NHL 26 ratings, but Slafkovsky’s 2025-26 season performance — 30 goals, 43 assists, 73 points — suggests a significant upgrade from his NHL 25 rating of 82 overall.
• His 73-point season was recorded across 82 games with 18:32 average time on ice.

His 180 shots on goal and 4 power-play goals in 2025-26 indicate a player who is generating offense at a consistent clip.

Comparison to other players

• Among forwards drafted in the top 3 of the 2022 class, Slafkovsky leads in points for the 2025-26 season.
• His 73 points rank him in the top 30 among all NHL left wings for the season.

The pattern: Slafkovsky’s production trajectory — from 50 points in 2024-25 to 73 points in 2025-26 — mirrors the typical development curve of a power forward who grows into his frame and role.

What this means: Slafkovsky’s performance trajectory suggests he is on pace to become a consistent 80-point scorer, justifying the Canadiens’ investment.

What is Juraj Slafkovsky’s nationality?

Birthplace

• Slafkovsky was born in Kosice, Slovakia, on March 30, 2004.
• He is a Slovak citizen and speaks Slovak as his first language.

Representation

• He represents Slovakia at international tournaments, including the 2022 Winter Olympics where he won bronze and was named tournament MVP.
• Slafkovsky is one of the most prominent Slovak players in the NHL today.

The trade-off: being a Slovak star in a Canadian market means Slafkovsky carries both national pride and the weight of being the face of Slovak hockey abroad.

How did Slafkovský get drafted?

2022 NHL Draft

• Slafkovsky was selected first overall by the Montreal Canadiens on July 7, 2022, as confirmed by ESPN (sports journalism).
• He was the first Slovak player ever taken first overall in the NHL Draft.

Montreal Canadiens selection

• The Canadiens held the top pick after winning the draft lottery with the best odds.
• Slafkovsky’s combination of size (6’3″, 225 lbs), skill, and Olympic pedigree made him the consensus choice.
• On July 1, 2024, he signed an eight-year, $60.8 million contract extension, per NHL.com (official league site), with a $7.6 million average annual value and a $10 million signing bonus, as detailed by Spotrac (contract tracking).

The catch: this minor discrepancy does not change the fact that Slafkovsky is locked in as a core piece for Montreal.

Who is Slovakia’s best hockey player?

Slafkovsky’s achievements

• Slafkovsky is considered one of Slovakia’s top active players, with an Olympic bronze medal and MVP award at age 18.
• His 73-point NHL season places him among the best Slovak scorers in the league.

Other Slovak greats

• Slovakia has produced NHL legends including Peter Bondra, Ziggy Palffy, and defenseman Zdeno Chara.
• Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik are the highest-scoring Slovaks in NHL history.

The implication: Slafkovsky has not yet surpassed the career totals of Hossa or Gaborik, but his trajectory — first overall pick, Olympic MVP, $60.8M contract — puts him on a path to challenge for the title of Slovakia’s most accomplished player of his generation.

The forward stake: Slafkovsky’s 2025-26 season proved he can produce at a top-line level. The cage is a temporary obstacle, but the real question is whether he can build on 73 points and push toward 80+ in 2026-27. For Montreal, the choice is clear: let him develop at his own pace, or the $60.8 million bet becomes a pressure cooker.