Vladimir Orszagh: “He is getting better and better”
If Slafkovsky can help Slovakia beat Team USA, he could go on to become the first man to win MVP at multiple Winter Olympics.
It would be an accolade he deserves, according to his coach Vladimir Orszagh.
“He was a special one in Beijing,” Orszagh told NHL.com. “Now, as he grows as a player and grows as a human being, he is getting better and better.
“He’s the guy who leads us every game.
“You can see how he has changed from two years ago. Now he is acting like a grown man. He’s a much better hockey player.”
Slafkovsky’s teammates are also in no doubt of his importance to their medal bid.
“He is a great player,” said Martin Fehervary. ”We didn’t have that type of player for a long, long time in Slovakia.
“We have just got to be really, really happy and thrilled that we’ve got that type of player.”
Captain Tomas Tatar added to NHL.com: “His ceiling is already high, and I think he can still grow.
“He is a great player and a great person to be around.
“I am very happy to be at the start of the journey and could help him develop.”
Craig Ramsey, who coached Slafkovsky and Slovakia at Beijing 2022 and remains a team consultant, went even further in his praise.
“This kid is going to be a star for a long time,” said Ramsey.
“We will be saying in a few years, ‘I know that guy, I watched him’. We will be having great stories about Slafkovsky.”
