The Montreal Canadiens have signed Juraj Slafkovsky to an eight-year extension, locking up the 2022 first overall pick long-term.

According to the Canadiens, Juraj Slafkovsky signed an eight-year, $60.8M contract with Montreal, an annual value of $7.6M per season until 2033. It was not made clear if this includes any clauses.

The move keeps Slafkovsky in Montreal until the age of 28, putting him in the helm of a youth movement in the Habs organization alongside current young talents under 25 in Kirby Dach, Kaiden Guhle, Cole Caufield & captain Nick Suzuki, as well as top prospects in David Reinbacher, Lane Hutson & 2024 1st round pick Ivan Demidov.

A surprise first overall pick of Montreal in 2022 over projected top pick Shane Wright, Slafkovsky, 20, has cemented himself as a key piece in the Canadiens lineup after a slow start in adapting his first NHL season, not falling into a sophomore slump with a strong second effort, netting 20 goals, along with 30 points and 50 points in 82 games with Montreal in the 2023-24 season.