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

[Leto]

Prior to the 2023 draft, I remember reading a claim that Habs brass weren't that impressed by Michkov, but they did believe that Demidov was the real deal, and would love to draft him the following year.

Yeah I remember that too. One of the scout made an interview and said to Basu or Engels to go take a look at Demidov.

It was Basu that made the claim in a Le Support Athlétique podcast episode post 2023 draft. He mentioned that a Habs scout made that claim to him after the draft, because there was chatter among the fanbase that MTL skipped Michkov because of the Russian factor.

Post 2024 draft, McCagg made a similar claim, but mentioned that it was Bobrov who told him that :
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[Kairi Zaide]

I have read from someone on Discord that Demidov currently has a higher all-strengths pts/60 than Kaprizov had in his best KHL season... at an older age and with a much more favorable PP-time to ES-time ratio than Demidov has.

 

[CrazyBob]

I just saw in a video that Demidov is on pace for having a 50 points season. Which would be the most points in a season for any under 20 player in KHL history. And 1st was Kaprizov with 42 points. Even Michkov got less with 41 points.

 

[Vachon23]

I mean, would we want to trade Demidov for Celebrini right now? I wouldn't...

Anytime and would even add

Nothing against Demidov, but Celebrini is already a star and will probably be a top 5 player in the league. A real complete #1 center that you can build around. No executive would take Demidov before him

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I just saw in a video that Demidov is on pace for having a 50 points season. Which would be the most points in a season for any under 20 player in KHL history. And 1st was Kaprizov with 42 points. Even Michkov got less with 41 points.

That is a pretty dishonest way to phrase this observation as Michkov only needed 47 games to reach 41 points and Kaprizov had 42 points in only 49 games and both were on pace to surpass 50 points if they had played their remaining 16-18 games. On top of that Demidov is on pace for 48 points and not 50 as this article apparently claims. Social media is full of garbage like this.

Of course Demidov has received far less ice time per game but he plays with much better players.....

I prefer Demidov for sure but this "video" sounds like typical fan generated nonsense.

 

[Kennerback]

Anytime and would even add

Nothing against Demidov, but Celebrini is already a star and will probably be a top 5 player in the league. A real complete #1 center that you can build around. No executive would take Demidov before him

i’ll remember this post next season. Ok one for one. But add??!!? I think you really misjudge the KHL. Let me guess, you’re one of those that didn’t think we should pick Michkov on draft day?

 

[Jabba11]

Anytime and would even add

Nothing against Demidov, but Celebrini is already a star and will probably be a top 5 player in the league. A real complete #1 center that you can build around. No executive would take Demidov before him

I think you are right that no executive would take Demidov before Celebrini as we speak, but Celebrini is not a star yet. Not when he only has 29 games played.

His trajectory seems to trend that way, but Demidov is trending in a similar fashion in his development, it just happens it's in the KHL.

Ultimately, Celebrini seems on his way to become a superstar 1C in the league, something Montreal has lacked for a long time (Suzuki is a 1C but not elite, all star, but not superstar level). But, Montreal also lacks a superstar winger since Guy Lafleur. So, Demidov might not be our franchise 1C, but he might as well become our franchise winger.

 

[Vachon23]

i’ll remember this post next season. Ok one for one. But add??!!? I think you really misjudge the KHL. Let me guess, you’re one of those that didn’t think we should pick Michkov on draft day?

It has nothing to do with Demidov…

If Celebrini was drafted by MTL and Demidov by SJ, no one here would say that there is a debate between those 2

 

[danisonfire]

He is the top player in points / 60 in the entire KHL (3.90) with minimal PP time.

The gap between him (3.90) and the second 2nd highest player (3.48) is the same as the gap between the 2nd highest (3.48) and 13th highest (3.06).

He is also +21 this year. He is looking very strong.

 

[Vachon23]

I think you are right that no executive would take Demidov before Celebrini as we speak, but Celebrini is not a star yet. Not when he only has 29 games played.

His trajectory seems to trend that way, but Demidov is trending in a similar fashion in his development, it just happens it's in the KHL.

Ultimately, Celebrini seems on his way to become a superstar 1C in the league, something Montreal has lacked for a long time (Suzuki is a 1C but not elite, all star, but not superstar level). But, Montreal also lacks a superstar winger since Guy Lafleur. So, Demidov might not be our franchise 1C, but he might as well become our franchise winger.

Yes but what would you take to build your team ? The superstar offensive winger or the #1 complete superstar center

 

[CrazyBob]

That is a pretty dishonest way to phrase this observation as Michkov only needed 47 games to reach 41 points and was on pace to surpass 50 points if he had played the remaining 18 games. On top of that Demidov is on pace for 48 points, social media is full of garbage like this.

Of course Demidov has received far less ice time per game but he plays with much better players.....

I prefer Demidov for sure but this "video" sounds like typical fan generated nonsense.

I mean obviously 41 point in 47 games is also pretty amazing and Michkov is already showing hes a top player in the NHL. But just saying if Demidov get to 48-50 points he would beat the record for under 20 in the KHL. That would be pretty good too

 

[Jabba11]

Yes but what would you take to build your team ? The superstar offensive winger or the #1 complete superstar center

The complete superstar center most of the times. But, I would take Patrick Kane and Nikita Kucherov over Jonathan Toews and Steven Stamkos.

 

[Kennerback]

It has nothing to do with Demidov…

If Celebrini was drafted by MTL and Demidov by SJ, no one here would say that there is a debate between those 2

It’s like you don’t recognize that he’s doing things that have never been seen in a D+1 season anywhere ever perhaps because it’s in the KHL. 2024 is probably Lafleur and Dionne all over again. Now I totally understand you prefer Celebrini to Demidov, that’s your assertive « anytime ». Most people in the hockey world agree with you.

But we drafted Demidov. We have investment in him. Habs fans have investment in him. It’s like taking away #1OA Guy Lafleur and giving them #2 Marcel Dionne who ended up being just as good. We probably would have won as many Cups with Dionne but he wasn’t our guy.

But you want to « add ». You add 1st picks and top prospects in a trade of this magnitude. We’re talking Forsberg++ for Lindros. I think you’ll come to regret it probably like the Flyers regretted not having the Avs’ Cups.

 

[dcyhabs]

Wtf does Lecavalier do anyway? Serious question. This is the same guy who didn't want to play for us so, we hire him at the end of his career and pay him to do nothing? Boot his prima donna ass to the curb.

Does it matter? The habs aren’t short of cash. As long as he isn’t actively destructive there are other things to worry about.

 

[Zine]

It was Basu that made the claim in a Le Support Athlétique podcast episode post 2023 draft. He mentioned that a Habs scout made that claim to him after the draft, because there was chatter among the fanbase that MTL skipped Michkov because of the Russian factor.

Post 2024 draft, McCagg made a similar claim, but mentioned that it was Bobrov who told him that :
​

With his connections to SKA, it was Bobrov who likely soured on Michkov the most. And I seriously doubt it was talent related. If it was he should be fired on the spot.

Most likely it was issues of attitude that were overblown at the time. Michkov didn't put up with Rotenberg's bullshit. He also refused to play with a certain NHL team (Arizona).

 

[montreal]

i’ll remember this post next season. Ok one for one. But add??!!? I think you really misjudge the KHL. Let me guess, you’re one of those that didn’t think we should pick Michkov on draft day?

I still wouldn't pick Mickhov at 5th but I don't like the way he plays and it's based off rumors I heard. I know some would give a lot of shit to MB when he would talk character but I 100% believe you need the right mix to win a championship, a strong lockeroom can do a lot. Granted you need skill and likely a good balance of players that know and excel in their role.

I haven't heard it talked about here but I live in philly and some were bringing up a incident with a ref where they were saying he went too far. It was said maybe he's the kind that wants to win so bad that he loses his cool, but to me in the little I've seen of him, it was the way he played which reminded me a lot of Caufield in his Freshman year, as he looked like he didn't give 2 shits about the defensive zone but once he got the chance for offense he was all business.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

i’ll remember this post next season. Ok one for one. But add??!!? I think you really misjudge the KHL. Let me guess, you’re one of those that didn’t think we should pick Michkov on draft day?

Of course Montreal would have to add, that is a fact and that is why Celebrini was a consensus 1st overall and has only further proven that status with playing at a PPG pace in the freaking NHL.

It takes some seriously thick homer glasses to not be able to admit that Celebrini would not be a unanimous 1st overall if the draft was held again today.

 

[Vachon23]

Of course Montreal would have to add, that is a fact and that is why Celebrini was a consensus 1st overall and has only further proven that status with playing at a PPG pace in the freaking NHL.

It takes some seriously thick homer glasses to not be able to admit that Celebrini would not be a unanimous 1st overall if the draft was held again today.

Not only being a PPG player but already very in other aspect of the game like defensively, winning pick battle and even on the FO.

Nothing against Demidov who will be very good but Celebrini is probably a futur top 5 player in the league

 

[montreal]

 

[Guy Larose]

With his connections to SKA, it was Bobrov who likely soured on Michkov the most. And I seriously doubt it was talent related. If it was he should be fired on the spot.

Most likely it was issues of attitude that were overblown at the time. Michkov didn't put up with Rotenberg's bullshit. He also refused to play with a certain NHL team (Arizona).

He wanted to only go to the Flyers and many articles came out about it recently.

 

[Kennerback]

Not only being a PPG player but already very in other aspect of the game like defensively, winning pick battle and even on the FO.

Nothing against Demidov who will be very good but Celebrini is probably a futur top 5 player in the league

Celebrini is doing incredible things for a « rookie ». But Demidov is doing incredible things for a KHL « player » as a D+1. Demidov will be « very good »? Once again I can’t fault you to prefer Celebrini to Demidov, everyone agrees with you. That’s not my issue.

 

[Guy Larose]

This debate is stupid. Let's wait until both are in the NHL. Demidov is not playing here because of contract, not because he can't make the team.

 

[Kennerback]

I still wouldn't pick Mickhov at 5th but I don't like the way he plays and it's based off rumors I heard. I know some would give a lot of shit to MB when he would talk character but I 100% believe you need the right mix to win a championship, a strong lockeroom can do a lot. Granted you need skill and likely a good balance of players that know and excel in their role.

I haven't heard it talked about here but I live in philly and some were bringing up a incident with a ref where they were saying he went too far. It was said maybe he's the kind that wants to win so bad that he loses his cool, but to me in the little I've seen of him, it was the way he played which reminded me a lot of Caufield in his Freshman year, as he looked like he didn't give 2 shits about the defensive zone but once he got the chance for offense he was all business.

Yes to pass on Michkov if it was for non-hockey reasons. If they ND because of character, I’m cool with that. While I’ve heard things about his character it’s still not enough to ND him when we didn’t know yet that we would end up with Laine and Demidov.. If someone would have drafted anyone else but Michkov as #2 based on pure hockey reasons I seriously question their capacity to evaluate players. BTW I believe most teams that passed on Michkov passed on him for non-hockey reasons.

 

[rahad]

Yes but what would you take to build your team ? The superstar offensive winger or the #1 complete superstar center

So many homer take her. You always build your championship team with a #1 center or #1 D. Winger and goalie after. If we had drafted Celebrini, no one would have suggested taking Demidov above him lol.

Celebrini is also one of the youngest player. Going to be 18 the whole season. Very good 2 way center are rare to find.

 

[montreal]

Yes to pass on Michkov if it was for non-hockey reasons. If they ND because of character, I’m cool with that. While I’ve heard things about his character it’s still not enough to ND him when we didn’t know yet that we would end up with Laine and Demidov.. If someone would have drafted anyone else but Michkov as #2 based on pure hockey reasons I seriously question their capacity to evaluate players. BTW I believe most teams that passed on Michkov passed on him for non-hockey reasons.

agree 100%. as fans it's almost impossible to know what the scouts and GMs know about these kids, if you just go by skill then for sure you pick Michkov. Since I saw him as a better Caufield, I also had my doubts character aside if we could win a cup if we had Mickhov and Caufield on our top line. Granted you never know what the future would bring, so we might have been able to get more help so that one of them could be on the 2nd line but at the time when you look at the forward depth, that seemed like a tall task at least to me.

At the same time and to be fair while I watch a shit ton of hockey from all over the world, I mainly only focus on our prospects and I'm not a big fan of watching non Hab prospects so I didn't see him much and when I do I just can't get into the games like I do when it's a Hab prospect so I try to stay in my lane. I did not think Michkov would be putting up such impressive #'s, though the past 2 or so years it seems like scoring in the NHL is up (never actually checked and I don't actually watch NHL games)