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

[Kennerback]

Hlinka. Demidov was a year younger. I think skill wise there's no denying Michkov is more skilled. But i've been watching hockey since the mid 80ies and one of the most skilled player to wear a CH uniform was Vladimir Malakhov. Skills is not everything. I think most people would tell you Demidov is the more complete player of the two.

Slafkovski was in the same Hlinka tournament if i remember correctly and did very well. He was older though and not as good as Michkov and about the same as Demidov despite being much older. Slafkovski being drafted 1st overall was almost solely on his wc tournament where he was MILES better than NHL players like Josh Anderson. I rember watching that game Slovakia against Canada and Slafkovski looked like a tier or two above Josh Anderson he made him look like a AHL player.

I deny Michkov is more skilled. Michkov is the better shooter and goal-scorer. But it ends there.

 

[HuGo boss]

The fact something so insignificant can bother you so much only makes me want to say it more lol

The team is run by both Hughes and Gorton.
HuGo ain't going anywhere

Lol I was going to say because something so small bothers them they will fit in perfectly

 

[JoelWarlord]

He’s an awesome prospect but there’s still a long road ahead.

He's of course not a generational McDavid level talent but this is an overcorrection imo. Demidov isn't a "normal" prospect who's going to need another year in Russia, 2 years in the AHL, and then have to work his way up from the third line. If it weren't for the KHL contract he'd be on our opening night roster this October.

Slafkovsky, Kotkaniemi, Galchenyuk, and even guys like Mete/De la Rose were able to make NHL impacts at 18/19. Demidov is significantly more talented than all of them and he'll debut at 19. We don't need to worry about if his game can translate as if he's Joshua Roy or Sean Farrell.

I agree that everyone should temper their expectations.

Honestly no they shouldn't unless they expect him to be McDavid or something. It's OK to be excited about drafting him and there's not really a compelling reason to downplay how good he is. He's going to be in the top six on our opening night roster in 2025 and will never look back.

 

[Rob Sense]

Mtl never had a generational player..never.

Lafleur was an elite player but not generational. Lafleur was an average player past 29 years old.

Look the stats of Lemieux and Wayne past their prime...Lafleur in not on that level at all..

Look at Crosby..what he does at 36.

You are righe about Lindros.. Lindros was a generational prospect and he had an awesome start of his career but not long enough.

this board obviously has a generational irritant.

 

[WeThreeKings]

If Demidov scores 100 points in a Habs jersey he would be a generational player for the Habs.

 

[Rob Sense]

Here from the great Dave Kenyon...the top 10 all time

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2771078-ranking-the-top-10-nhl-hockey-players-of-all-time

and the top 25 from Nate Duffet

25 Greatest NHL Players Of All Time, Ranked

There is a long and storied history in the NHL. We take a look at the 25 greatest NHL players of all time and rank them.

clutchpoints.com

Many Habs in the top of all time...name names!

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Hlinka. Demidov was a year younger. I think skill wise there's no denying Michkov is more skilled. But i've been watching hockey since the mid 80ies and one of the most skilled player to wear a CH uniform was Vladimir Malakhov. Skills is not everything. I think most people would tell you Demidov is the more complete player of the two.

Slafkovski was in the same Hlinka tournament if i remember correctly and did very well. He was older though and not as good as Michkov and about the same as Demidov despite being much older. Slafkovski being drafted 1st overall was almost solely on his wc tournament where he was MILES better than NHL players like Josh Anderson. I rember watching that game Slovakia against Canada and Slafkovski looked like a tier or two above Josh Anderson he made him look like a AHL player.

In fairness Josh Anderson almost always looks like an AHL player

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Keep opening this thread in hope of getting any news from him (KHL,Habs) and nothing so exited about this prospect its been awhile we havent had one with this potentiel

 

[Redux91]

They better worry about just getting past Buffalo and Ottawa and out of the basement.

Buffalo and Ottawa already in our rearview bud.

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

He's of course not a generational McDavid level talent but this is an overcorrection imo. Demidov isn't a "normal" prospect who's going to need another year in Russia, 2 years in the AHL, and then have to work his way up from the third line. If it weren't for the KHL contract he'd be on our opening night roster this October.

Slafkovsky, Kotkaniemi, Galchenyuk, and even guys like Mete/De la Rose were able to make NHL impacts at 18/19. Demidov is significantly more talented than all of them and he'll debut at 19. We don't need to worry about if his game can translate as if he's Joshua Roy or Sean Farrell.

Honestly no they shouldn't unless they expect him to be McDavid or something. It's OK to be excited about drafting him and there's not really a compelling reason to downplay how good he is. He's going to be in the top six on our opening night roster in 2025 and will never look back.

I’ll take your word for it friend!

 

[Habs10Habs]

Anybody thinking about Demidov at center? He has said that he likes playing center so not sure about how that plays out. Lets say he does play center. What does your forward roster look like now?

Slaf / Demidov / Caufield
Newhook / Suzuki / Dach
Roy / Hage / Beck
Xhekaj / Kapanen / Mesar

Personally if I'm going to try Demidov at Center. I'd put him on the 2nd line with Dach. For one, Slafkovsky and Suzuki have good chemistry. Plus you could rotate Dach and Demidov taking face offs on their strong sides.

As for my roster. I like what you posted, only switching Demidov and Suzuki.

 

[HabzSauce]

Missing a few

Richard
Lafleur
Beliveau
Roy

very close but not generational
Bobby Hull
Marcel Dionne
Martin Brodeur
Chris Pronger
Raymond Bourque
Scott Niedermeyer
Mike Bossy

If Roy is generational then so is Brodeur.

My opinion, I think Hasek is the only true generational goalie. Then Brodeur and Roy in the superstar/franchise/whatever tier.

Not including anyone before the 90s because A) never saw them play and B) position has changed so much

 

[crosbyshow]

If Roy is generational then so is Brodeur.

My opinion, I think Hasek is the only true generational goalie. Then Brodeur and Roy in the superstar/franchise/whatever tier.

Not including anyone before the 90s because A) never saw them play and B) position has changed so much

In Quebec saying that Hasek is the best of those 3 is a possibility of 25 years in jail..

...but Hasek objectively is the best.

What he did with the Sabres with the defensemen that he had is unbelievable

 

[Kojo]

Hasek is the goat but Roy was in the same tier. Brodeur was in the second tier.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Mtl never had a generational player..never.

Lafleur was an elite player but not generational. Lafleur was an average player past 29 years old.

Look the stats of Lemieux and Wayne past their prime...Lafleur in not on that level at all..

Look at Crosby..what he does at 36.

You are righe about Lindros.. Lindros was a generational prospect and he had an awesome start of his career but not long enough.

Mtl never had a generational player..never.

Lafleur was an elite player but not generational. Lafleur was an average player past 29 years old.

Look the stats of Lemieux and Wayne past their prime...Lafleur in not on that level at all..

Look at Crosby..what he does at 36.

You are righe about Lindros.. Lindros was a generational prospect and he had an awesome start of his career but not long enough.

Lafleur was damn near generational. He just smoked like a chimney between periods and partied A lot! That’s why by 30 he slowed. He was top of the league at that time

 

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

Hasek is the goat but Roy was in the same tier. Brodeur was in the second tier.

Roy is the goat come on now! When it counted most ie: the playoffs, Roy was clutch.

He's got 152 career PO wins. That's a record that will never be broken and way ahead of #2 on that list.

I mean 152 wins is 9 cups worth of wins.

4 cups as well and let be honest, he played for some crap Montreal teams during his stint with the Habs!

 

[Milhouse40]

If Demidov scores 100 points in a Habs jersey he would be a generational player for the Habs.

Which is kind of sad actually......but. I could see him and others get there eventually especially since it seems we've finally move on for the Goalie defensive first mentality that plagued the Habs for 3 decades now.

 

[_habsfan9]

finally we have a prospect that we can be super excited about.

 

[Maitz]

Just want to say that I am watching Demidov selection for the 20th day in a row, it's such a beauty

 

[NORiculous]

Anybody thinking about Demidov at center? He has said that he likes playing center so not sure about how that plays out. Lets say he does play center. What does your forward roster look like now?

Slaf / Demidov / Caufield
Newhook / Suzuki / Dach
Roy / Hage / Beck
Xhekaj / Kapanen / Mesar

I’d rather Dach works at C.

So you obviously recall that devastating purposeful knee on knee to Pat Boutette in Round 1 vs Whalers of 1980 playoffs - with no non invasive knee procedures of that time?

It’s like saying Bobby Orr isn’t generational because his knees were toast by age 27..

I’d also add that players now have training programs, eat well, etc. Lafleur would smoke in between periods lol

 

[Zilo44]

If Demidov scores 100 points in a Habs jersey he would be a generational player for the Habs.

*When

 

[Andrei79]

I’d rather Dach works at C.


I’d also add that players now have training programs, eat well, etc. Lafleur would smoke in between periods lol

The stories I've heard from first hand witnesses regarding Radulov are wild and he's a pretty recent player.

Kostitsyn was seen smoking just before the draft. Different outcome in his case.

 

[The Last Red]

Lafleur was damn near generational. He just smoked like a chimney between periods and partied A lot! That’s why by 30 he slowed. He was top of the league at that time

Guy is one of the 5 greatest Habs ever, and top 20 in NHL history.

 

[waitin425]

Habs had the NHL's 1st generation, generational player. Newsy Lalonde. After that, a whole shit ton of franchise players. Generational players are just that, players that come along every generation.

 

[salbutera]

Habs had the NHL's 1st generation, generational player. Newsy Lalonde. After that, a whole shit ton of franchise players. Generational players are just that, players that come along every generation.

Morenz & Vézina were right up there in that period as well..