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

[Next Best Thing]

I don’t think Rottenberg is as much of a goof and a clown as people make him out to be. He gives his zero effort excuses regarding Demidov because he won’t get any serious pushback.

We’re talking about a roster decision that concerns the whole organization. President is also in on it. They’re doing what they’re doing to Demidov because it’s in their best self-interest.

Pushback from the inside you mean? Of course not, since obviously he has carte blanche to bury one of the brightest prospects they've seen since Kovalev to warming the bench. We already knew he gave zero shits and is just mocking reporters shamelessly.

 

[Zine]

I don’t think Rottenberg is as much of a goof and a clown as people make him out to be. He gives his zero effort excuses regarding Demidov because he won’t get any serious pushback.

We’re talking about a roster decision that concerns the whole organization. President is also in on it. They’re doing what they’re doing to Demidov because it’s in their best self-interest.

It's in SKA's self-interest? What planet are you on?

If you haven't noticed, most elite players from next generations are staying away from SKA's schools. Elite guys (2006 born and onward) like Silayev, Ryabkin, Skvortsov, Limatov, Fyodorov, etc. are coming from elsewhere.

You think this is a coincidence?

 

[Kennerback]

Pushback from the inside you mean? Of course not, since obviously he has carte blanche to bury one of the brightest prospects they've seen since Kovalev to warming the bench. We already knew he gave zero shits and is just mocking reporters shamelessly.

He gives zero shit. Reporters are his bitch… On a side note while I loved Kovalev especially watching his tremendous season with Plex and AKost, Demidov will be much better. It’s much worse than burying Kovalev. My 2 cents.

 

[ReHabs]

Habs fans need to let it go.

He’s coming over next year.

Just let it go.

 

[Kennerback]

It's in SKA's self-interest? What planet are you on?

If you haven't noticed, most all of the elite next generations players staying away from SKA's schools. Elite guys (2006 born an onward) like Silayev, Ryabkin, Skvortsov, Limatov, Fyodorov, etc. are coming from elsewhere.

You think this is a coincidence?

They have a potential cash cow on their hand. If they trade him or send him down they wont make money.

They make more cash now in a transfer than they will if he plays all season.

 

[Zine]

They have a potential cash cow on their hand. If they trade him or send him down they wont make money.

They make more cash now in a transfer than they will if he plays all season.

Demidov is not a cash cow. Money is irrelevant to SKA.

 

[Kennerback]

Demidov is not a cash cow. Money is irrelevant to SKA.

I disagree with money is irrelevant to SKA.. They won’t live or die on a profit sure, but a quick influx of a few Million is huge. Until I see them throwing money on cheap trinkets, I’ll consider it part of the equation.

 

[Tyson]

Habs fans need to let it go.

He’s coming over next year.

Just let it go.

%

 

[Zine]

I disagree with money is irrelevant to SKA.. They won’t live or die on a profit sure, but a quick influx of a few Million is huge. Until I see them throwing money on cheap trinkets, I’ll consider it part of the equation.

SKA just built the biggest hockey stadium in the world. We're talking about Gazprom here. A few million is completely irrelevant. SKA throws millions at players for 'bonuses' for heaven's sake. That's how they stay under the cap.

And what makes you think Demidov is worth a few million? No KHL team will pay that to obtain him just for the remainder of the year. SKA would undoubtedly want a player in return.

 

[Koivu11]

There could be a catch-22. It's good the media is finally calling Rotenberg out on it. But the more media scrutiny exists, the more he'll probably double down. At least IMHO.

In normal circumstances he'd probably trade Demidov midseason to get him ice time......like he's done with most other top end guys.

I've had it with RR clown show.

Yeah that is already happening imo. Dude doesn’t seem to take criticism well at all.

 

[Kennerback]

SKA just built the biggest hockey stadium in the world. We're talking about Gazprom here. A few million is completely irrelevant. SKA throws millions at players for bonuses for heaven's sake. That's how they stay under the cap.

And what makes you think Demidov is worth a few million anyways? No KHL team will pay that to obtain him just for the remainder of the year.

SKA will like the Millions but it goes beyond that. Why does Gazprom own a hockey team: for goodwill. This goodwill is very valuable for Gazprom.

Assuming we’re back in the past or sometime in the future where there is a somewhat functional relationship with Russia, the Habs and the NHL are still indirect competitors with SKA and the KHL. Gazprom, SKA and even Rottenberg have a stake in the KHL giving a better product on the ice. The « Russian Factor » is good for the KHL in that less talent leaks out West. What better leverage is there than Demidov and the Habs to get their point across?

 

[montreal]

I saw a rumor that SKA is in talks to bring in Carter Hart in net.

Also I guess his brother was injured or sick as he was back in the lineup in the VHL on the line with Ivan's teammate from last year Romanov. A Romanov I.Demidov S.Demidov top line in the VHL playing 20 mins and PP1 would be kind of sick to watch vs 6 games in a row of 7 mins or less.

 

[417]

Habs fans need to let it go.

He’s coming over next year.

Just let it go.

100% this.

 

[Zine]

SKA will like the Millions but it goes beyond that. Why does Gazprom own a hockey team: for goodwill. This goodwill is very valuable for Gazprom.

Assuming we’re back in the past or sometime in the future where there is a somewhat functional relationship with Russia, the Habs and the NHL are still indirect competitors with SKA and the KHL. Gazprom, SKA and even Rottenberg have a stake in the KHL giving a better product on the ice. The « Russian Factor » is good for the KHL in that less talent leaks out West. What better leverage is there than Demidov and the Habs to get their point across?

Wrong. The "Russian Factor" has always been the result of the KHL being a very lucrative alternative to the NHL for Russian players. That ceases to be the case if KHL teams treat players like SKA does Demidov. It's counter-productive. It's why youth players are starting to stay away from SKA.

Montreal is not the center of the universe. You're opinion that "SKA is holding Demidov hostage for Montreal money!!" is a fairy tale.
If there was any truth to this SKA wouldve done the same with countless other players. It's absurd.

 

[Walksss]

SKA trying to make an example of Demidov and other prospects for wanting to leave their organization is sure to backfire.

Like @Zine said already the next generation is already staying away from SKA. They may not care though and just sign big name players with their huge internal budget but it's very stupid to handicap yourself in such a way.

If you want to make sure elite talent works to stay away from you this is absolutely the way to do it.

 

[Zine]

The genesis of the problem is Rotenberg wanted SKA to simultaneously be a quasi-NTDP at youth level, and a high price juggernaut in KHL. He loaded up on both, but the two are totally incompatible.

Inevitably all these great young players got buried. In addition, add a vindictive and child of privilege attitude, and the end result makes most of Russian hockey laugh at the situation.

 

[Kennerback]

The genesis of the problem is Rotenberg wanted SKA to simultaneously be a quasi-NTDP at youth level, and a high price juggernaut in KHL. He loaded up on both, but the two are totally incompatible.

Inevitably all these great young players got buried. In addition, add a vindictive and child of privilege attitude, and the end result makes most of Russian hockey laugh at the situation.

I don’t believe that he’s so stupid to sit Demidov and thinks he’s helping his team. NO ONE is that dumb. I don’t believe any on-ice hockey reason he gives to sit him. Even a privileged pampered spoiled fickle child is not that dumb.

 

[Zine]

I don’t believe that he’s so stupid to sit Demidov and thinks he’s helping his team. NO ONE is that dumb. I don’t believe any on-ice hockey reason he gives to sit him. Even a privileged pampered spoiled fickle child is not that dumb.

Then explain why the same situation has occurred with countless other youth players.

You fail to look at the big picture. Demidov is not unique. A pattern of misuse exists with Rotenberg.


Here’s more criticism, from former National Team coach Slava Bykov.
“This is already a problem for the team: Vyacheslav Bykov spoke critically about SKA's attitude towards the youth”
«Это уже проблема клуба». Вячеслав Быков критически высказался об отношении СКА к молодёжи

 

[Kennerback]

Then explain why the same situation has occurred with countless other youth players -- drafted and undrafted, with various contract lengths.

You have serious difficulty with the big picture. Demidov is not unique. A pattern of misuse exists with Rotenberg.


And if he is holding Demidov 'hostage' for the glory of the KHL, why only Demidov? Why not anybody else?
You said SKA would welcome the millions. Why not get millions for Nikishin (who is off to Carolina next year)? Shit, instead he named Nikishin captain.

I will believe Demidov’s usage was just hockey decisions when a history book comes out one day that confirms it was. « Rottenberg believed he couldn’t play Demidov for more than 3 minutes because this is a game SKA just had to win ». Just like I can read a history book of Tarasov’s decisions about Kharlamov or opinion on Gretzky today.

 

[Zine]

I will believe Demidov’s usage was just hockey decisions when a history book comes out one day that confirms it was. « Rottenberg believed he couldn’t play Demidov for more than 3 minutes because this is a game SKA just had to win ». Just like I can read a history book of Tarasov’s decisions about Kharlamov or opinion on Gretzky today.

Believe what you want. But in addition to Bykov’s opinion, might as well take Zadorov’s too.


(From Yuri Dud’s webcast. Sept ‘23.)

Dud: You played at 2 World Championships. Our team was managed by Roman Rotenberg. He wasn’t coaching the team though, right?

Zadorov: No, he was the manager. He had ‘Team Leader’ written on his jacket. He made a badge for himself.

Dud: Was this the first time you had a Team Leader in hockey?

Zadorov: (laughing) Of course it was.

Dud: (laughing) They don’t have Team Leaders in the US?

Zadorov: He needs to patent his job.

Dud: Did he still try to coach?

Zadorov: He was in charge of everything, everything was through him. Even the music in locker room. Neither Sasha Ovechkin nor Malkin could change it.

Dud: Even with Ovechkin in this locker room? He couldnt change it?

Zadorov: It was all unrealistic – a person is in charge of everything.

Dud: - Okay, it's management; but from a sports perspective?

Zadorov: When we played in Bratislava we had many stars, Malkin, Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Kucherov. It was one of the strongest teams on paper in the last 20 years. And we lost to the Finns who did not have a single player from the NHL.

There was no system. A lot of stars could score, but there was no coach who could implement a system. There was confusion at team meetings. Vorobyov seemed to be the coach, but Kudashov was the one yelling all the time. And Rotenberg was telling everybody what to do. Complete confusion compared to the NHL, where everything is on schedule, where you are prepared for an opponent.

We didn't have such a thing on that team. Something like “oh, Finns have a guy in the middle zone”. Everyone started laughing. There was simply no coaching. There are probably great coaches in the KHL, but those under Rotenberg had no system.

Dud: Were you surprised when Rotenberg officially became a coach?

Zadorov: No (laughs). It was unofficial, he just changed his title. Now he’s maybe not a team leader, but a team coach.

Dud: Do you assume that he can learn?

Zadorov: The fact that he is a hockey fan - 100%, that he doesn't sleep every night, watches NHL games - yes, I know that. He strives to progress, he likes it, it burns within him.

Dud: How do the players react? If I'm the son of some rich man and just decide that I can train to be a coach, the locker room will never accept me. I can't ever lead a team to success.

Zadorov: Well, if the team laughs behind your back the guys will gather themselves and discuss how to play. There was no coach.




Does this read like an astute hockey mind? Or a spoiled brat who values his own principals (vets!!!) above all else.

It’s should be no surprise the Russian Hockey Federation completely excluded Rotenberg, and all SKA influence, from 2022 olympics.

 

[G0bias]

The Tommy Wiseau of hockey

 

[ReHabs]

All this pressure from Habs fans is going to accomplish only negative things for Demidov, for our relationship with the KHL, for our relationship with SKA, and for future Russian prospects. Good job everyone, hope you're happy with drafting exclusively NCAA-bound High Schoolers from Wisconsin and Minnesota.

 

[WeThreeKings]

All this pressure from Habs fans is going to accomplish only negative things for Demidov, for our relationship with the KHL, for our relationship with SKA, and for future Russian prospects. Good job everyone, hope you're happy with drafting exclusively NCAA-bound High Schoolers from Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Ah yes - definitely.

The pressure from the Russian media is hotter than that because they talk to him after every game. Rotenberg is a delusional f*** and will just say its North American poisoning to any Russian media member who questions his usage of young players.

 

[ReHabs]

Ah yes - definitely.

The pressure from the Russian media is hotter than that because they talk to him after every game. Rotenberg is a delusional f*** and will just say it’s North American poisoning to any Russian media member who questions his usage of young players.

It is irrelevant what local media and fans say. Whether it’s played up or real, Rotenberg and SKA will continue to cite the onslaught of Habs obsessed lunatics as an excuse for his bitterness.

Bobrov Jr will continue to need to perform damage control.

If RR is as awful and stubborn as made out to be, relentless attacks from Habs fans won’t improve his treatment of Demidov. It’s only bad and nothing good.

It’s nauseating to read the coach of our star prospect derisively cite Habs fans as problematic.

 

[WeThreeKings]

It is irrelevant what local media and fans say. Whether it’s played up or real, Rotenberg and SKA will continue to cite the onslaught of Habs obsessed lunatics as an excuse for his bitterness.

Bobrov Jr will continue to need to perform damage control.

I think the local media is far more relevant as far as what Rotenberg actually weaponizes vs tweet replies that he's never going to read. Philly fans also went after him and they still let Michkov out of his contract early.

We do not have that sphere of influence on Rotenberg.

The toxicity in the fan base is how Slaf and Reinbacher get treated when they aren't the players the majority wanted selected. Or the bashing of our best young/star players when they make a mistake and get booed, then ammunition is given to the vindictive RDS/TVA media who use it to push people like Subban out the door.