Without fanfare, the Montreal Canadiens made an important decision in the case of Juraj Slafkovsky.

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Under a collective bargaining rule, the date Slafkovsky can achieve full free agency is moved up a year, as the Slovak will appear on the team's 23-man roster for a 40th game this season while CH will host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

The general manager of the Canadiens, Kent Hughes, could have avoided this situation by sending the rookie to the American League with the Rocket of Laval. The team nevertheless seems to want to keep the rookie striker in the National League, despite his recent setbacks.

In 34 games with the Canadiens this season, Slafkovsky has 10 points, including four goals. His last goal dates back to December 1.