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

[Dichow Stopper]

AHL playoffs?

I'm thinking big picture here , guy comes in for the NHL playoffs this year yeah I said it

And he scores the game winning goal in game 7 of the SC finals.

 

[Kennerback]

I remember that time that Kotkaniemi was turning it around and then his spleen got crushed.



It's reasonable to assume that playing more high-quality hockey can contribute to developing into a better hockey player.

I’ll worry about him missing out on this high-quality hockey in the AHL the same day I worry that Rotenberg is able to thwart his development in any way.

 

[rahad]

What’s the point of this « experience » in the AHL after his KHL season. Is he going to be better at camp? Next season? Better development? For the shits and giggles to expose him to injury for no benefit? Let’s put it this way, if I was a Leafs or a Bruins fan I would absolutely want him in the AHL.

To gain experience playing in AHL playoff? For Kent and MSL do see what to work with him in the summer? What he need to improve for next season? Yeah sure, keep living in fear of the 5ft10 ''goon'' playing in the top 6 in the AHL. He has more risk playing in the KHL vs AHL.

At the end of day, we are just speculating. 85% chance of him not coming in NA this season.

 

[DAChampion]

A deep AHL playoff run would also be a good bonding experience for the prospects.

 

[Gravity]

Demidov shouldn't see AHL ice imo. He's too good for the AHL and there's no point risking unnecessary injury.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

AHL playoffs?

I'm thinking big picture here , guy comes in for the NHL playoffs this year yeah I said it

Vanya joining the team right before the cup final is gonna be crazy

 

[dcyhabs]

I can understand for Demidov. I'm not so sure they will send Hutson in Laval. He already play 20 mins+ in his rookie year, It won't also be fair to the guys in Laval. They will probably want him to rest. Usually players coming in the NHL from university struggle in the second half of the season.
The one who need to be send in Laval is Struble. He is barely playing in the NHL.

If we are lucky, Reinbacher should also comeback from his injury at the end of season. If Laval make it to the playoff.

Hutson is pretty obsessive about hockey, so he may want to go. It might change roles a bit but if it takes the team deeper in the playoffs most of the Laval team will be happy. Everyone moves down a spot and a third pairing guy sits or rotates.

It’s not like Halak playing the team into the playoffs and watching Price go win the playoffs, and that turned out to be a good move.

 

[dcyhabs]

Demidov shouldn't see AHL ice imo. He's too good for the AHL and there's no point risking unnecessary injury.

Probably safer for him to adapt to the North American game in the AHL before going to the NHL. He’s not going to fight, and he’ll get hit harder in the big league.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Probably safer for him to adapt to the North American game in the AHL before going to the NHL. He’s not going to fight, and he’ll get hit harder in the big league.

Demidov isn't going to see the AHL.. just like Michkov didn't.. just like Celebrini didn't.

This is a tier of prospect that doesn't go to the AHL.

 

[salbutera]

What’s the point of this « experience » in the AHL after his KHL season. Is he going to be better at camp? Next season? Better development? For the shits and giggles to expose him to injury for no benefit? Let’s put it this way, if I was a Leafs or a Bruins fan I would absolutely want him in the AHL.

Vincent said his #1 mandate when hired on was to implement MSLs concepts… playing in Laval would give Demigod a familiarization with the Habs system in a more intense playoff environment

Learning is the key aspect of development

 

[dcyhabs]

Demidov isn't going to see the AHL.. just like Michkov didn't.. just like Celebrini didn't.

This is a tier of prospect that doesn't go to the AHL.

Agreed if it is a choice between AHL and NHL. If it’s between AHL and starting training it would depend on health and need for reps. Demidov certainly hasn’t played too many minutes this season.

 

[waitin425]

I lean to no AHL visit for Demidov, even he finishes the KHL and that is the only NA option. Bring him over after his season and get him training with the guys. Let him bond with Caufield, Slaf et al.

And......absolutely f***ing no way am I sending Hutson down when we get eliminated. That would be the stupidest thing we could ever do. Imagine him getting punked by some goon down there, and it delays his 2025/26 season. Hell no.

 

[Michoulicious]

I lean to no AHL visit for Demidov, even he finishes the KHL and that is the only NA option. Bring him over after his season and get him training with the guys. Let him bond with Caufield, Slaf et al.

And......absolutely f***ing no way am I sending Hutson down when we get eliminated. That would be the stupidest thing we could ever do. Imagine him getting punked by some goon down there, and it delays his 2025/26 season. Hell no.

Of course we don't send Hutson down a few weeks before we can sign him to an extension.

That would be the dumbest move ever to sour the relationship just at this point.

Hughes will give him the big bucks on July 1st if he's smart.

Demidov will not a see a minute of AHL either.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Demidov shouldn't see AHL ice imo. He's too good for the AHL and there's no point risking unnecessary injury.

Kutcherov started in the AHL.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Kutcherov started in the AHL.

He was a third round pick.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Agreed if it is a choice between AHL and NHL. If it’s between AHL and starting training it would depend on health and need for reps. Demidov certainly hasn’t played too many minutes this season.

No, even if it's AHL and training.. he will be training.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

He was a third round pick.

And Kaprizov was a 5th round pick lol, it's because they were Russians with their KHL contracts that they slipped, Caufield was a first round pic and he started in the AHL, not saying a full season, but some AHL playoffs would benefit him.

 

[CaptnNemo]

And Kaprizov was a 5th round pick lol, it's because they were Russians with their KHL contracts that they slipped, Caufield was a first round pic and he started in the AHL, not saying a full season, but some AHL playoffs would benefit him.

Technically you are right!

Cole did start in the AHL...for 2 games..before they went on the cup run.

And played an other 6 the year after and that was it.

If you mean Demi should play a couple of games like Cole did well yeah I have no issues but if he does it ain't more then Cole and probably less.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

And Kaprizov was a 5th round pick lol, it's because they were Russians with their KHL contracts that they slipped, Caufield was a first round pic and he started in the AHL, not saying a full season, but some AHL playoffs would benefit him.

I think the point people are making is that there’s a certain level of prospect that you just put straight into the NHL and Demidov falls into that category. Kucherov was not as highly regarded back then.

I haven’t seen much of Demidov. Just the clips we’ve all seen. All I can think when I see him play is that he looks a lot like Lane Hutson. I’m guessing he goes straight to the show.

If he is the truly elite superstar we’ve been waiting for, it will have a huge impactOn our club. I’m still dreaming that he could be a center. If that could happen and we had him and Suzuki up the middle, I’d say that we’d have a great shot at winning a cup in the next ten years.

 

[dcyhabs]

No, even if it's AHL and training.. he will be training.

I meant offseason training, as in summer recuperation and physio as opposed to hockey. My guess is it depends on whether he and the team think he will benefit more from playing or recovering and preparing for next season. It would be an easy choice if he’d played big minutes, and it may yet be an easy choice if SKA keep playing him top 6 for the next few months.

 

[Kennerback]

I think the point people are making is that there’s a certain level of prospect that you just put straight into the NHL and Demidov falls into that category. Kucherov was not as highly regarded back then.

I haven’t seen much of Denison. Just the clips we’ve all seen. All I can think when I see him play is that he looks a lot like Lane Hutson. I’m guessing he goes straight to the show.

If he is the truly elite superstar we’ve been waiting for, it will have a huge impactOn our club. I’m still dreaming that he could be a center. If that could happen and we had him and Suzuki up the middle, I’d say that we’d have a great shot at winning a cup in the next ten years.

He’s as ready as ready can be. To be this ready, Slaf would have needed the following:
1- Completely dominating Liiga
2- Liiga had better players than Liiga
3- Played most of his Liiga games on NHL regulation ice
4- Be one year older
5- Russian hockey people (the country of Datsyuk, Makarov and Kharlamov) say they’ve never seen someone as skilled as Slafkovsky.

 

[WeThreeKings]

And Kaprizov was a 5th round pick lol, it's because they were Russians with their KHL contracts that they slipped, Caufield was a first round pic and he started in the AHL, not saying a full season, but some AHL playoffs would benefit him.

I meant offseason training, as in summer recuperation and physio as opposed to hockey. My guess is it depends on whether he and the team think he will benefit more from playing or recovering and preparing for next season. It would be an easy choice if he’d played big minutes, and it may yet be an easy choice if SKA keep playing him top 6 for the next few months.

Demidov is the class of prospect that doesn't need AHL time. I know we've not had a forward prospect like this before. But this is a guy way above what Cole ever was as a prospect.

Hes not gonna touch the AHL.

 

[sampollock]

Demidov isn't going to see the AHL.. just like Michkov didn't.. just like Celebrini didn't.

This is a tier of prospect that doesn't go to the AHL.

so true
he will hang out with the big club if he gets over here in time.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Demidov is the class of prospect that doesn't need AHL time. I know we've not had a forward prospect like this before. But this is a guy way above what Cole ever was as a prospect.

Hes not gonna touch the AHL.

Caufield always had size issues. There was no way he was just going to jump straight to the NHL.

 

[dcyhabs]

Demidov is the class of prospect that doesn't need AHL time. I know we've not had a forward prospect like this before. But this is a guy way above what Cole ever was as a prospect.

Hes not gonna touch the AHL.

No question he’s going to be a star, but is he at the point he won’t benefit from playing another dozen games or so? I’m certainly not saying they should order him to go play in the AHL, but if he wants some games I’m sure there is stuff he can work on.

From Hutson’s comments he’ll probably want to play AHL playoffs just to get some more hockey time. I have no clue what Demidov wants, and that’s probably the most important thing. Keep him happy.