Hossa, Handzuš, Valábik, Fehérváry and Višňovský about Slafkovsky’s new contract

So a Slovak journalist Tomáš Prokop published an article about Slovak hockey players giving their opinion on the Slafkovsky contract so I thought I could translate it (sorry for my mistakes, I tried my best).

He shared it on X:
https://x.com/Lewysko/status/1808744413922787570

Marián Hossa:
"The team trusts Juraj. After they had offered him such a contract he didn't have a reason to hesitate. It's great for him. It's currently a trend in the NHL to sign young talented hockey players long term. Slafko has a tendency to only get better and better. Montreal sees it so they decided to give him that contract. He has a huge potencial, he's big and strong. He'll be an amazing player. He's already proving it when he's only 20. I think it's logical that Canadiens invested in him for 8 years.

I think Juraj is grounded and has right people around him. I don't think he'll be satisfied now. He's ambitious and wants to improve. In Canada, there's a lot of pressure on him. He'll want to show everyone that he deserves the money. I'm not worried about him at all.

Canadiens always believed in him, they didn't send him to the AHL. Who else would you stand by if not your number one draft pick? It was worth it, he had a strong second half of the season. He confirmed it even at the WC in Czechia. I really liked his drive to the net. Even though he didn't score you could feel him on the ice. He has a great chance to get even better."

Michal Handzuš:
"The trend is clear. Teams sign young players with potential long term as soon as possible. There was probably a worry that he would score 30, 40 goals next season and he would cost a lot more. In the second half of the season he almost had a point per game so Canadiens used the opportunity. It's a risk for both parties because both can loose. But if Juraj fulfills his potential he'll be a steal. It's a conservative decision for both parties.

He's always had a good head on his shoulders. He's been playing under pressure since he was 15 and he's dealt with it well. I'm not worried that it will change. He wants to prove something, it's visible."

Boris Valábik:
"Montreal sees a big potential in him, the same as we (Slovaks) do. So it's obvious why they offered him this contract. For Canadiens it makes sense. The general manager and coach are still the same (as when he was drafted). Juraj retained their trust even when he was injured. He made a good decision that he signed now. Because now, he doesn't have to focus on the business side. All he can think about is hockey."

Martin Fehérváry (Washington Capitals):
"I congratulated him right away. We talked about it even during the WC. He deserves it. I'm happy for him. I strongly believe that he'll fulfill the expectations and even surpass them."

Ľubomír Višňovský:
"Hats down for what he already accomplished. Congratulations to him. I'm a little bit surprised that Canadiens signed such a long term contract with such a young player. The time will tell. It's a different time, when I was playing teams wouldn't offer such a contract after one, two seasons. That has changed since then.
It's positive that he wants to be the best, that he wants to improve. But he needs help as well so that Montreal doesn't only have one good five. They have to gradually add good players. I hope he will improve his play. He's only 20, he has everything ahead of him."