Wouldn't surprise me if ska wanted Montreal management to come bend the knee so to speak to get Demidov ice time and a release from Russia after the season.
They got to make a little video saying their arena has passed the bell centre as the best in hockey with Lecavalier smiling on.
Smells of sports washing bullshit but we need Demidov out of there asap.
SKA is using Montreal's visit to St. Petersburg as a public relations stunt. Rotenberg's background is in marketing.
Basically, the PR is:
"Montreal has come to see SKA's great infrastructure, and to converse with SKA as we develop the next Russian and Montreal superstar!" Bullshit propaganda, basically.
Likewise, any media talk of Vinny going to St. Pete with bags of cash, or SKA limiting Demidov's ice time to spite the Habs is similarly just hysterical Western propaganda.
Both are opposite ends of the same stupid stick.