First Overall Pick Drops The Gloves For The First Time And Gets Embarrassed

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James Connelly
December 10, 2023 (11:30)

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2022 first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky dropped the gloves for the first time in the NHL and was embarrassed by his opposition.

Slafkovsky Fights Clifton

Late into the third period last night during a Montreal powerplay Juraj Slafkovsky, the first overall pick of the 2022 draft, dropped the gloves with Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton.

Slafkovsky was eventually able to knock Clifton over but did not do so easily after getting pummelled by Clifton and continuously losing his balance.

Slafkovsky Coming Into His Own

In his rookie year, Slafkovsky looked like a fish out of water and eventually was sidelined for half the season with an injury. Through his first 39 career games, Slafkovsky only managed to register 10 points.

This season he is beginning to come into his own with 7 points through the first 27 games of the year. Slafkovsky has also seen an uptick in ice time averaging over 15 minutes a night, three minutes more than last year. He has also gained more trust from his coaches as they put him out in the shootout last night where he won it all with the game on his tape.

While he is not at first-overall pick production just yet, he is taking the right steps and will continue to develop in the NHL.

As seen on Blade of Steel - Former first-overall pick drops the mitts for first NHL fight, it's as embarrassing as you think