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

[Goalfield13]

I didn’t follow Demidov’s career closely before the Habs drafted him, so there are definitely people who know more about his game than I do. That said, my perspective is pretty straightforward: let him play where he’s most comfortable. Why try to force a square peg into a round hole, especially with young players - Guhle as an example? I don't think it's Demidov's job to bridge the gaps in teh lineup - that responsibility falls on HuGo - let them worry about it. Just my 2 cents.

Demidov played a lot of C before the KHL is what people are saying. Not a square peg in round hole situation at all.

 

[Miller Time]

IMO coaching is overrated at the NHL level. Most of them are preaching different variations of the same things. I think there are two times when it can make a difference. 1: you’ve got an exceptional coach who gets the most of the roster 2: when you have someone terrible who can get in the way like a Michel Therrien. I think there are more of these types than the exceptional ones, but I think the majority are just insignificant to teams success.
I don’t mind Marty, although he does over rely on vets like almost every other coach. The dzone coverage has shown signs of improving over the last few weeks, that is my biggest gripe with Marty, the players seem lost fairly often.

I think you're bang on as far as a bell curve distribution of coach impact.

But I don't think that reflects coaching being overrated so much as many individual coaches get overrated, or underrated, because it's difficult for most fans (& a surprisingly large number of GMs/Owners) to fully understand the complex nature of variables that ultimately drive results in high performance sports.

Not sure it's fair to critique MSL as "relying on vets". Of the ten highest toi/g for the Habs this year, only 3 are over 25 (including recently added Carrier), only 1 is over 30, and only 3 have played 250+ NHL games (Suzuki, Matheson & Savard).

Last year was the same as far as players over 25 (swap Carrier/Monahan) & the year before that as well.

Reality is that we've had a very young roster since the rebuild started and the coaching staff has, if anything, shown an impressive commitment to live with the growing pains of youth. A typical coach would've been riding Anderson, Gally, Armia & Dvorak far more heavily if the vet bias were applicable here imo.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I think you're bang on as far as a bell curve distribution of coach impact.

But I don't think that reflects coaching being overrated so much as many individual coaches get overrated, or underrated, because it's difficult for most fans (& a surprisingly large number of GMs/Owners) to fully understand the complex nature of variables that ultimately drive results in high performance sports.

Not sure it's fair to critique MSL as "relying on vets". Of the ten highest toi/g for the Habs this year, only 3 are over 25 (including recently added Carrier), only 1 is over 30, and only 3 have played 250+ NHL games (Suzuki, Matheson & Savard).

Last year was the same as far as players over 25 (swap Carrier/Monahan) & the year before that as well.

Reality is that we've had a very young roster since the rebuild started and the coaching staff has, if anything, shown an impressive commitment to live with the growing pains of youth. A typical coach would've been riding Anderson, Gally, Armia & Dvorak far more heavily if the vet bias were applicable here imo.

I guess my perception is off. It feels like he does ride Gally, Anderson, Armia and Dvorak an awful lot more than he should.

 

[1909]

The kid would lead his team in points if he would had been used more and in better situations.

 

[Miller Time]

I guess my perception is off. It feels like he does ride Gally, Anderson, Armia and Dvorak an awful lot more than he should.

Me too... Though in some respects, having 20M tied up in 4 players, none of which are top 10 in ice time, speaks to how bad the vet contract/roster situation the coaching staff has to work with.

i suspect/hope that in 2-3 years time, the "vet" core up front will be the likes of Suzuki, Caufield, Dach, Slaf, Newhook, Heineman & 1-2 key top 6 additions (Laine or Laine type established contributors), while the depth/secondary will be led by the likes of Demidov, Beck, Hage, Tuck, Xhekaj, Mesar.

And really, if Demidov is as advertised and adapts well, he could already be pushing into top line contribution levels by his sophomore season.

Future is bright

 

[Draft]

I didn’t follow Demidov’s career closely before the Habs drafted him, so there are definitely people who know more about his game than I do. That said, my perspective is pretty straightforward: let him play where he’s most comfortable. Why try to force a square peg into a round hole, especially with young players - Guhle as an example? I don't think it's Demidov's job to bridge the gaps in teh lineup - that responsibility falls on HuGo - let them worry about it. Just my 2 cents.

Not long after he was drafted, Demidov publicly stated he's comfortable playing either position and that his preference is to play center. This would be a matter of MTL's needs and Demidov's interests aligning, not a matter of forcing him to play somewhere he isn't experienced or not comfortable.

 

[Zine]

His TOI fuels this thread. We like to make sense of the daily occurrences in the world around us, and this makes no sense.

Many posters (including the Russian speakers) claim Rotenberg is just a dim-witted buffon. Other posters (self included), derisively called the “conspiracy theorists”, think Rotenberg can’t be that stupid and/or has smart people as advisers.

Rotenberg isn't dim-witted. He's actually quite intelligent and an excellent bullshitter. But his arrogance often gets the best of him. Common sense goes out the window when this occurs and he becomes an idiot.

For reference... Imagine if arrogant Elon Musk was put in charge of the daily operation of a hockey team, GM/coaching duties, talking to media. It would likely resemble SKA under Rotenberg.

 

[Sorinth]

Not long after he was drafted, Demidov publicly stated he's comfortable playing either position and that his preference is to play center. This would be a matter of MTL's needs and Demidov's interests aligning, not a matter of forcing him to play somewhere he isn't experienced or not comfortable.

I'm pretty sure you can find quotes from Drouin about how his preference was at center and how he's more comfortable there.

Nothing wrong with exploring the possibility of Demidov at center, but it's probably not something that should happen right away. Let him get acclimated to the NA game, NHL speed/physicality, etc... and then once he's had some success you can experiment with him at center.

 

[Draft]

I'm pretty sure you can find quotes from Drouin about how his preference was at center and how he's more comfortable there.

Nothing wrong with exploring the possibility of Demidov at center, but it's probably not something that should happen right away. Let him get acclimated to the NA game, NHL speed/physicality, etc... and then once he's had some success you can experiment with him at center.

Comparing Demidov to Drouin should mean losing a finger. Filthy, disgusting, never do it again.

I don’t think it would be wise to throw him in at 2C in his first game. I’d like him to work on it over the summer and potentially start at 3C if Dach is playing well and we’re determined to have him there. Do it with intention, be patient, and put him with linemates that can support him. There’s a path, just need to determine whether it’s worth it.

 

[The Last Red]

He was drafted as a high-scoring wing, just leave him there.

 

[Jabba11]

He can create from the wing à la Mitch Marner/Patrick Kane/Kucherov/Kaprizov.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

He was drafted as a high-scoring wing, just leave him there.

We don't know what HuGo envision him as unless they have said something.

 

[HabzSauce]

If he truly wants to play C I say play him there out the gate. I don't doubt this kid can do whatever he puts his mind to.

 

[The Last Red]

We don't know what HuGo envision him as unless they have said something.

That doesn’t change my opinion.

 

[1909]

Some rumours (!!!) about Habs having spent some $$$$ in St-Petersburg to convince Rottenburg to play Demidov more often…. Anybody else heard that ? Since their visit, the kid is playing way more and started to produce again.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Some rumours (!!!) about Habs having spent some $$$$ in St-Petersburg to convince Rottenburg to play Demidov more often…. Anybody else heard that ? Since their visit, the kid is playing way more and started to produce again.

Would be a violation of the CBA. So I doubt it. But agreeing to be part of their hockey propaganda video etc is not monetary but adds value and likely greased some things in their favor to have a more productive working relationship.

 

[VT]

Some rumours (!!!) about Habs having spent some $$$$ in St-Petersburg to convince Rottenburg to play Demidov more often…. Anybody else heard that ? Since their visit, the kid is playing way more and started to produce again.

There was certainly no such thing, Roman Rotenberg doesn't need the money, maybe he has more than your owner. He also won't let to dictate your management who should play, his ego is too big for that and SKA is a top KHL team and not one of Montreal's farms... The thing is more prosaic, Demidov wasn't ready for so many minutes, he had to get used to it. And the assistant coaches, who are both former hockey players and coaches, saw that, especially his consultant Vladimir Yuzinov sr, a legendary Russian coach, one of the best in history.

Rotenberg, if Demidov plays well, won't let him sit. SKA wants to win the Gagarin Cup right then and there, so they can't afford to let to sit a player, who could help them do that. Mikhkov wasn't a franchise player when he was playing in the KHL, Demidov is.

 

[morhilane]

Some rumours (!!!) about Habs having spent some $$$$ in St-Petersburg to convince Rottenburg to play Demidov more often…. Anybody else heard that ? Since their visit, the kid is playing way more and started to produce again.

BS, Demidov was back on the 4th line the next game after they left.

 

[Kennerback]

BS, Demidov was back on the 4th line the next game after they left.

Rotenberg does not seem impressed at all by Demidov’s 4 goals in 4 games. He seems to believe it could get to his head. Next game is a good opportunity to make Demidov humble. I expect little TOI unless they trail by a few goals.

 

[Goalfield13]

Put Demidov at C with Heineman and Kapanen on his wings at camp and see how he does there.

 

[Tyson]

Rotenberg does not seem impressed at all by Demidov’s 4 goals in 4 games. He seems to believe it could get to his head. Next game is a good opportunity to make Demidov humble. I expect little TOI unless they trail by a few goals.

Rotenberg is coming to the realization that he needs Demidov playing top 6 minutes for his team to be competitive.

 

[Kennerback]

Rotenberg is coming to the realization that he needs Demidov playing top 6 minutes for his team to be competitive.

He’s in a constant mental tug of war: I want to win but I don’t want fans noticing Demidov is more handsome than me.

 

[Tyson]

He’s in a constant mental tug of war: I want to win but I don’t want fans noticing Demidov is more handsome than me.

He has played almost 40 games so as far as I am concerned his development this season has been on track despite the head games from the coach.

 

[Team_Spirit]

 

[WeThreeKings]

He has played almost 40 games so as far as I am concerned his development this season has been on track despite the head games from the coach.

It's had some shitty moments and stretches.. but the numbers point it all out, when he plays, he gets points.. when he doesn't play, he doesn't get points, and SKA usually doesn't win.

He went from the MHL to the KHL and pretty much dominates without PP time and consistent deployment of top end linemates.

He proved that he is worth the hype. This guys is a true blue chipper.