Prospect Info: [2024 - 5th] Ivan Motherbleeping Demidov (RW), SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)

[Habs]

If Michkov refused to interview with us or gave an intentionally horrible interview, and gave all signs that he wouldn't play for us, how can some still be mad that we didn't draft him?

Has this been proven or is it just stories?

 

[Egresch]

It will be an easy transition for Demidov once he comes to Montreal. Just like in Russia, all he has to say is, he loves PoUTINe.

 

[Kennerback]

Has this been proven or is it just stories?

Idk. But, there’s two things that raised red flags. Still not enough for me at the time but they were still legit red flags. There was that real interview from the Capitals scout with Russian media which I saw in translation basically saying he had the worst personality of a prospect that he had ever spoke to. The other real thing is I went on Russian hockey message boards which I translated and a lot of posters where saying some of the comments Michkov said showed he was a self-entitled egotistical kid. I still would have drafted him at the time.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Idk. But, there’s two things that raised red flags. Still not enough for me at the time but they were still legit red flags. There was that real interview from the Capitals scout with Russian media which I saw in translation basically saying he had the worst personality of a prospect that he had ever spoke to. The other real thing is I went on Russian hockey message boards which I translated and a lot of posters where saying some of the comments Michkov said showed he was a self-entitled egotistical kid. I still would have drafted him at the time.

The Russian Bo Callahan

 

[ReHabs]

If Michkov refused to interview with us or gave an intentionally horrible interview, and gave all signs that he wouldn't play for us, how can some still be mad that we didn't draft him?

If [clearly false statement] is true, then I am correct.

The Habs met with him at least once, btw.

Not sure why it’s hard to accept the Habs didn’t like him and preferred Reinbacher. No dogging interviews or conniving to deceive or whatever conspiracy — the Habs preferred the other kid.

The conspiracy stuff is really pathetic at this point.

Rich, coming from you.

I'm not taking an L on anything, all I ever did was repeat the talking points that were coming out around Michkov around the draft and laid it out for everyone because the board was in hysterics over the idea we wouldn't take him.

We weren't going to take him and we didn't. Other teams also didn't take him for the same set of circumstances that were around the player.

I never once said he had bad character. Or he was a bad teammate. How would I know? All I ever said is that it there might be smoke to that due to the fact multiple teams passed on him, and SKA loaned him out, let him cut his contract early and had a plan in place to loan him out again if he didn't make the Flyers.

All of those points made it very odd that a KHL team with that level of control on a player like Michkov would do anything to not have him play for them. Now seeing how they are treating Demidov who didn't even have a vapor of character concerns around him at the draft, it pushes the narrative closer to SKA just being a maniacally weird and stupid organization.

I hope you read this over when you’re off your soapbox and see how many contractions you’ve put out.

Absent evidence, all of you come across as both crazy and hypocritical.

There’s absolutely no need for it anyway. The war is over — the draft is old news, you were right, you were 100% right the Habs didn’t pick Michkov despite how badly so many of us wanted him. You nailed it.

Will Smith was considered a legit 4OA and Reinbacher a legit 5OA. You got it right then and there.


Insisting TODAY that there were other reasons for those picks is a clear bit of post hoc bias. L. Take it and move on.

 

[Andrei79]

If [clearly false statement] is true, then I am correct.

The Habs met with him at least once, btw.

Not sure why it’s hard to accept the Habs didn’t like him and preferred Reinbacher. No dogging interviews or conniving to deceive or whatever conspiracy — the Habs preferred the other kid.

The conspiracy stuff is really pathetic at this point.


I hope you read this over when you’re off your soapbox and see how many contractions you’ve put out.

Absent evidence, all of you come across as both crazy and hypocritical.

There’s absolutely no need for it anyway. The war is over — the draft is old news, you were right, you were 100% right the Habs didn’t pick Michkov despite how badly so many of us wanted him. You nailed it.

Will Smith was considered a legit 4OA and Reinbacher a legit 5OA. You got it right then and there.


Insisting TODAY that there were other reasons for those picks is a clear bit of post hoc bias. L. Take it and move on.

I find it interesting how Bobrovs father is with SKA. Bobrov was glowing about Demidov, mentioned how they've known him for years.

When asked about the 2023 pick, they mention risk, but more interestingly, they mention a player who's likely to permeate a culture they want to instill. We have Michkovs agent outright saying he didn't want to play for Arizona or Washington. Washington's scout publically criticized Michkovs behaviors. I haven't read any evidence of Michkov dogging the Canadiens interview, but I wouldn't be surprised if the brass didn't like the off ice part, even if they weren't part of the teams that were snubbed per say.

 

[ReHabs]

I find it interesting how Bobrovs father is with SKA. Bobrov was glowing about Demidov, mentioned how they've known him for years.

When asked about the 2023 pick, they mention risk, but more interestingly, they mention a player who's likely to permeate a culture they want to instill. We have Michkovs agent outright saying he didn't want to play for Arizona or Washington. Washington's scout publically criticized Michkovs behaviors. I haven't read any evidence of Michkov dogging the Canadiens interview, but I wouldn't be surprised if the brass didn't like the off ice part, even if they weren't part of the teams that were snubbed per say.

Putting aside the fact the Habs would obviously fluff up the pick they did make.

You’re absolutely right — the Habs didn’t like him for perfectly normal draft reasons as much as they liked other options for perfectly normal draft reasons. No hypocritical conspiracy needed.

And I dunno about WSH (and it’s the first I heard of this) but ARI was a gong show and every agent would express their client’s hesitation about committing to them if the client had some juice and a secure contract elsewhere. It’s all upside for the client.

Back to Demidov… he’s great isn’t he?

 

[JIMVINNY]

Idk. But, there’s two things that raised red flags. Still not enough for me at the time but they were still legit red flags. There was that real interview from the Capitals scout with Russian media which I saw in translation basically saying he had the worst personality of a prospect that he had ever spoke to. The other real thing is I went on Russian hockey message boards which I translated and a lot of posters where saying some of the comments Michkov said showed he was a self-entitled egotistical kid. I still would have drafted him at the time.

There's also the first hand account of a journalist watching Michkov tear a strip off a poor Foot Locker associate because Michkov doesn't speak English and the employee didn't understand what he was asking for. The kind of person who would tear a strip off a retail associate in a foreign country for no reason is not the kind of person I want on my team.

 

[junyab]

Has this been proven or is it just stories?

Pretty sure I said "If" buddy. Hence the scenario posed in a hypothetical question. Yet, this doesn't need to be proven in court. So when basically all hearsay information surrounding Michkov points to him choosing where he wanted to play, I'm inclined to believe it. But, by all means, complain forever on the Internet that the Habs passed on him.

 

[junyab]

If [clearly false statement] is true, then I am correct.

The Habs met with him at least once, btw.

Not sure why it’s hard to accept the Habs didn’t like him and preferred Reinbacher. No dogging interviews or conniving to deceive or whatever conspiracy — the Habs preferred the other kid.

Acceptance of drafting Reinbacher over Michkov isn't a problem I have, The Habs know more than me. The only time I've ever been upset with one draft pick over another was when we picked KK over B Tkachuk. But I'm not going to complain neverendingly about it like the Michkov fan club here, which is the only topic I was replying to. It's most likely the Habs had info about Michkov that we (the public) do not and/or preferred Reinbacher in all instances. I'm just sick of the Matvei Pissedoff Fan Club whining incessantly.

 

[FrankMTL]

I did a quick calculation to compare Michkov's D+1 (last season) in the KHL and Demidov's D+1 (this season in the KHL) and wanted to compare their point totals per 60 mins played. Michkov played more minutes last season in Sochi (not counting more PP time as well) than Demidov for SKA.

Points per 60 minutes played

Demidov 3.6 Pts/ 60 minutes

Michkov 3.04 Pts/ 60 minutes

Again this is just for fun, but interesting anyways.

 

[Apfel Struble]

Man this guy can’t come over soon enough

“Help us obi-wan Demidov, you’re our only hope”

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Man this guy can’t come over soon enough

“Help us obi-wan Demidov, you’re our only hope”

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Man this guy can’t come over soon enough

“Help us obi-wan Demidov, you’re our only hope”

If I were him I’d sign an extension with SKA after seeing this dumpster fire

 

[ReHabs]

Acceptance of drafting Reinbacher over Michkov isn't a problem I have, The Habs know more than me. The only time I've ever been upset with one draft pick over another was when we picked KK over B Tkachuk.

Seems like you want it both ways: an excuse for the Habs possibly making the wrong pick, but not to be seen as complaining about it

But I'm not going to complain neverendingly about it like the Michkov fan club here, which is the only topic I was replying to.

The neverending cycle of blaming The Bad Fans for everything wrong…

It's most likely the Habs had info about Michkov that we (the public) do not and/or preferred Reinbacher in all instances. I'm just sick of the Matvei Pissedoff Fan Club whining incessantly.

I’m tired of conspiracy theorists passing off fiction as fact.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Another assist, basically PPG when he plays above the 4th line

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Another assist, basically PPG when he plays above the 4th line

Only 3 things are certain in life,

1. DEATH
2. TAXES
3. Demidov getting a point when he plays over 10 mins.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I did a quick calculation to compare Michkov's D+1 (last season) in the KHL and Demidov's D+1 (this season in the KHL) and wanted to compare their point totals per 60 mins played. Michkov played more minutes last season in Sochi (not counting more PP time as well) than Demidov for SKA.

Points per 60 minutes played

Demidov 3.6 Pts/ 60 minutes

Michkov 3.04 Pts/ 60 minutes

Again this is just for fun, but interesting anyways.

Always my #2 in 2024 draft and I always prefer him to Michkov. But that's my preference, both complete each other perfectly, that would be fun to have both, but a team isn't build with just only wingers.

Demidov should have gone easily #2 in 2024 draft. He is very close to Celebrini in term of talent//potential.

We are very lucky to have that type of talent at 5.

 

[1909]

Always my #2 in 2024 draft and I always prefer him to Michkov. But that's my preference, both complete each other perfectly, that would be fun to have both, but a team isn't build with just only wingers.

Demidov should have gone easily #2 in 2024 draft. He is very close to Celebrini in term of talent//potential.

We are very lucky to have that type of talent at 5.

Sometimes Habs are lucky: Demidov, Hutson, Caufield, Guhle, Slaf, Hage, Fowler…..

 

[Maitz]

3 assists today?

 

[Tyson]

Sometimes Habs are lucky: Demidov, Hutson, Caufield, Guhle, Slaf, Hage, Fowler…..

And sometimes they ain't
Ward, Chouinard, Hossa, Chipchura, Fischer and many more

 

[barriers]

3 assists today?

So far. Day's not over yet

 

[Maitz]

Just saw them on KHL site, the first one is a beauty

 

[Maitz]

4th assist! Beautiful pass to Plotnikov for his hat trick