Fans react to Canadiens first round draft pick
It was an evening of mixed emotions for Habs fans watching the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Throughout the season it was looking like Shane Wright would be the number one selection, but nearing draft-day questions started to surface as other prospects narrowed the field.
With the first overall selection, the Canadiens were expected to select Wright and many fans were hopeful and eager to hear his name be called, but that wasn’t the case.
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With the first overall pick, the Habs selected Juraj Slafkovsky.
RELATED: Canadiens draft Slafkovsky first overall
“This has been a one-horse race for so long like Shane Wright was the anointed first overall pick years ago and it’s like one of these races where the horse comes around the turn and is heading away to an easy victory and then all of a sudden out of nowhere the other horse just comes flying down the rail Juraj Slafkovsky just met today with the owner with the manager with the coach I mean that usually doesn’t happen on draft day he’s like 6 foot 4 it’s like this guy was born to play hockey and it’s almost like just the sight of him the crowd was like,” explained Sean Reynolds, Sportscentre reporter.
Slafkovsky was named the 2022 Olympic hockey MVP, where he scored seven goals in seven games for the Slovaks.
REACTIONS
Dustin Alexander, Habs Forum Podcast: “I think at the end of the day it could be a really good pick, I mean not necessarily next season but he over the long term, over the short term even he’s gonna slide into that top line with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki that’s going to be one heck of a first-line for sure.”
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“Maybe some of them didn’t like me, but I will do anything to make sure that they like me someday.”—Juraj Slafkovsky on some fans booing him on the red carpet before entering the Bell Centre tonight.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 7, 2022
Mixed reaction for the surprising first pick, Juraj Slafkovsky pic.twitter.com/V7WR7ik1wu
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) July 7, 2022
A Habs fan CityNews spoke with said, “I guess disappointed all and all they’re good players all of them.”
Another adding, “A little bit surprised if I’m being honest and kinda disappointed. I really thought the Habs should have gone with the duo of Nick Suzuki and Shane Wright. But at the end of the day they fell in love at the beginning of 2022 with Juraj Slafkovsky, obviously great Olympics, great championship and it is always really hard to find that size and speed combo that he has as well.”
#WATCH: “We have to trust in Hughes and Gorton,” says a Montreal Canadiens fan, regarding the Habs selection of Juraj Slafkovsky over Canadian Shane Wright in this year’s @NHL entry draft. #NHLDraft #MontrealCanadiens #Montreal pic.twitter.com/VmH9VBMaIA
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) July 8, 2022
#WATCH: “We need a centre,” says one Montreal Canadiens fan. Habs fans are hoping to draft Shane Wright with the first round pick in this year’s NHL entry draft.#Canadiens #Habs #montreal pic.twitter.com/C6vlDJ5wSm
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) July 7, 2022
#WATCH: “Shane Wright or nothing,” says one Montreal Canadiens fans, awaiting Montreal’s first pick in this year’s NHL entry draft. #Habs #Canadiens #Montreal pic.twitter.com/zX9ungVfbR
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— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) July 7, 2022
Another Canadiens fan saying, “I think it’s a great choice, there’s so many fine young kids what a crop of wonderful young kids to choose from I’m sure it’s a difficult decision but you know he’s got the size and seems to be a well-rounded young man great attitude, good for the Canadiens.”
