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

[26Mats]

What makes you think he will bust, other than that some others have in the past?

I don't have an idea of Demidov's bust vs. hit his ceiling vs. be something in between. That's why I was asking.

 

[Habssince89]

I still can’t believe we got him. Probably our best pick since Guy in ‘71 as as Wickenheiser unfortunately busted and Juraj is just not him.

Price

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think the chances of Demidov busting are low. He's extremely talented, has high compete, high iq, he's a good skater, has good character, and has size even.
I think he's got a pretty good chance of becoming at least a 60-70 pts player. The question is if he will reach his potential and become a 100 pts superstar.

Agreed. 60-70 would be a good base. His hockey IQ seems high to me so I think he comprehends the development challenges playing with less time/space and more physical men well.

If you have rocks for brains (Drouin), and you don't like physical contact, you will not survive on skill alone. Mental compacity on how to overcome challenges is a huge area of development. Hockey IQ does seem high with Demidov. Same with Slaf.

 

[The Last Red]

I doubt he busts. Scouting in all sports has improved tremendously overs the years, due in large part to the use of analytics, which seem to be highly predictive of outcome. Doesn’t mean he’ll become a superstar but I think the odds that he’s a productive player are pretty good.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

There have been highly touted busts. What makes you think Demidov won't bust, or just be a good offensive player without being a star?

Demidov is a safe bet to be a star player because his biggest asset is his IQ/creativity

He will have less time and space for his agility and hands, but he thinks the game at such a high level and is creative enough to easily overcome the change imo

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Price

Slaf.

Honestly, who knows?

One thing's for sure though, fans have wanted a flashy forward for a long time. Hopefully this guy delivers. It's been way too long.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I don't have an idea of Demidov's bust vs. hit his ceiling vs. be something in between. That's why I was asking.

Skating is elite. That is usually the first thing to look at. His skating alone will help him create time/space.

IQ seems high. This part is important because he will face challenges or hurdles. Got to have the mental compacity to comprehend flaws and overcome. Not many have this and is usually the reason why they bust or disappoint.

Shot and Vision/Play Making are very good.

One area we need to see is how he likes playing with physicality from men (not boys or teenagers). That part is unpredictable but we will get a good sample from the KHL this season. KHL is more physical than MHL.

I for one am very happy he gets to develop in Russia for one more season in the KHL. KHL is a very competitive league

 

[NobleSix]

I want to as well, i just don't know what number to put!

I put 91 because no way were moving that Gallagher contract lol

 

[Habssince89]

Gallagher could easily retire if he suffers a major injury and his contract ends before he's healthy. I don't think he has any interest in playing for anyone else.

I don't think 11 will be available but both Demidov and Koivu might want it so we'll see how things time out

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Skating is elite. That is usually the first thing to look at. His skating alone will help him create time/space.

IQ seems high. This part is important because he will face challenges or hurdles. Got to have the mental compacity to comprehend flaws and overcome. Not many have this and is usually the reason why they bust or disappoint.

Shot and Vision/Play Making are very good.

One area we need to see is how he likes playing with physicality from men (not boys or teenagers). That part is unpredictable but we will get a good sample from the KHL this season. KHL is more physical than MHL.

I for one am very happy he gets to develop in Russia for one more season in the KHL. KHL is a very competitive league

He should handle physicality just fine considering his size by the time he is an NHL regular (6ft 1/2in, ~200lbs)

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

That he wouldn't have landed here anyway.

Maybe, probably, but that isn't 100% objective fact

 

[WeThreeKings]

He should handle physicality just fine considering his size by the time he is an NHL regular (6ft 1/2in, ~200lbs)

He already doesn't shy away from it. Which is a good sign. I have trouble with those who avoid contact against their own age group, but even in the KHL he would engage physically and get to the front of net as requried.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

He already doesn't shy away from it. Which is a good sign. I have trouble with those who avoid contact against their own age group, but even in the KHL he would engage physically and get to the front of net as requried.

With NHL trainers he will be a big(ish), strong forward with elite hands, IQ, and edgework

Just an incredible prospect all around tbh, still can’t get over it

 

[Habs Halifax]

He should handle physicality just fine considering his size by the time he is an NHL regular (6ft 1/2in, ~200lbs)

Depends on if he likes contact or not. Drouin is 6'-0" and 203 lbs. Not saying Demidov will be soft like that but you just don't know about how they adjust to the physical side. I will reserve judgment on this for a later date. For now, we can only guess. I like his chances to overcome that area but that is just my guess.

With Iggy, I was able to see his ability to overcome tight spaces and contact along the boards. With Demidov's highlight video, it was a lot of open space and Demidov skating around guys like they were kids. I tried to dig into that area more but it's hard to find. Got to watch the games to know that better.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Depends on if he likes contact or not. Drouin is 6'-0" and 203 lbs. Not saying Demidov will be soft like that but you just don't know about how they adjust to the physical side.

I will reserve judgment on this for a later date. For now, we can only guess.

Absolutely true, but Demidov already doesn’t shy away from the physical side even in the few KHL games he has played

 

[WeThreeKings]

With NHL trainers he will be a big(ish), strong forward with elite hands, IQ, and edgework

Just an incredible prospect all around tbh, still can’t get over it

Truly is a dream come true. I still have to check myself that its true and actually happened.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I think the chances of Demidov busting are low. He's extremely talented, has high compete, high iq, he's a good skater, has good character, and has size even.
I think he's got a pretty good chance of becoming at least a 60-70 pts player. The question is if he will reach his potential and become a 100 pts superstar.

There's good analysis on him vs michkov. Basically the conclusion was michkov is individually more talented than in in various aspects (obviously not all) but when it comes to their play style, demidov is much more translatable than michkov so they ultimately believed demidov will be better even though they thought michkov is a more talented player. I have no worry about how he'll be at the NHL level honestly. He'll probably be 1 of a dozen game breakers in this league that have already been draft or currently play

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Good observation.

Top RD are so rare. GM reach for them each and every draft

For what it's worth, I think it's partially a coincidence as a team like NJ would probably go LD even if some of the others were available, having said such I think GMs always value tools (handedness sometimes a part of this) more than toolbox because they believe the latter can be provided through years of development and reps.

Funny enough, the six d-men were drafted almost in reverse order of my own preferences. You can switch up Silayev and Dickinson or Parekh and Yakemchuk for me.

Speaking of preferences, I can still confirm Demidov is a Hab

 

[Habs Halifax]

Absolutely true, but Demidov already doesn’t shy away from the physical side even in the few KHL games he has played

You seen evidence of that in his 4 KHL games? Please share, I would like to see it

 

[Sasha Orlov]

You seen evidence of that in his 4 KHL games? Please share, I would like to see it

He’s never going to become a power forward or anything, but he doesn’t shy away from contact like a Drouin

Didn’t see anything to suggest the opposite in his 4 KHL games but it is of course a very small sample size

 

[The Last Red]

Price

True. . . but goalie.

 

[Kennerback]

There's good analysis on him vs michkov. Basically the conclusion was michkov is individually more talented than in in various aspects (obviously not all) but when it comes to their play style, demidov is much more translatable than michkov so they ultimately believed demidov will be better even though they thought michkov is a more talented player. I have no worry about how he'll be at the NHL level honestly. He'll probably be 1 of a dozen game breakers in this league that have already been draft or currently play

What i’m sure of is that Torts and Michkov will butt heads. Torts did with LeCavalier when he came in. He won’t like Michkov’s two-way game and play mind games. Michkov is a whole lot more headstrong than Lecavalier.

 

[Redux91]

What i’m sure of is that Torts and Michkov will butt heads. Torts did with LeCavalier when he came in. He won’t like Michkov’s two-way game and play mind games. Michkov is a whole lot more headstrong than Lecavalier.

Can't wait lol

 

[Skip Bayless]

You seen evidence of that in his 4 KHL games? Please share, I would like to see it

There are shift to shift videos from last year in the KHL on youtube. He doesn’t shy away from board battles, but he does need to work on them legs and that explosiveness to come out of the corner and create separation.

 

[Guess]

Is anyone else worried that opposing teams will aim for his knees when he's doing the 10-2 skating in the offensive zone?