F Ivan Demidov (2024, 5th, MTL) Part 2

[Draft]

This is the rationale. We need to play him where he can be the most potent offensive weapon he can be, while simultaneously not being a liability defensively. That’s overwhelmingly likely to not be at C. The whole notion of converting him to C is just dumb.

The “two 1Cs” fantasy needs to stop. It’s like people look at teams like PIT, WSH, etc that won with two 1Cs and don’t want anything else. That’s a very rare situation and we don’t even need it to win. FLA, VGK, TBL, COL, STL, CHI all won without that type of roster.

It’s not even a guarantee of success anyway; look at EDM. They have 2 out of the 3 top Cs in the NHL and they haven’t been able to win.

Crazy how people are willing to possibly Drouin our best prospect in decades to chase a model that isn’t even guaranteed to work, even with generational players, which we don’t even have.

In fact, I’m going to post a hot take:

Trying to pigeonhole Galchenyuk, Kotkaniemi, and Drouin into C roles they weren’t ready/suited for during crucial development years might’ve been what ruined them. Maybe they would’ve became much better than they did without that BS.

But sure, let’s repeat the same mistake with Demidov.

None of those prospects are at the level of Demidov. The comparisons aren’t useful. Demidov is well-suited to the position and has a stated interest in playing there. He’s not a defensive liability. He’s not Drouin. He’s definitely not Galchenyuk or Kotkaniemi. As far as we know, he doesn’t have any of the off-ice issues those players did (which may have played a bigger role in their lack of success than playing C).

Maybe guys like Messier, Giroux, Aho, Zetterberg, or Kuznetsov would have never reached their peak without moving to center?

His fit at center meets a glaring team need and may actually be the best way to utilize his skill set. He’ll have a much bigger impact in the middle and he’s got a ton of tools that’ll help him develop there. This is the guy we want to build around, I’d push him to develop every dimension of his game his talent can handle.

 

[Garbageyuk]

None of those prospects are at the level of Demidov. The comparisons aren’t useful. Demidov is well-suited to the position and has a stated interest in playing there. He’s not a defensive liability. He’s not Drouin. He’s definitely not Galchenyuk or Kotkaniemi. As far as we know, he doesn’t have any of the off-ice issues those players did (which may have played a bigger role in their lack of success than playing C).

Maybe guys like Messier, Giroux, Aho, Zetterberg, or Kuznetsov would have never reached their peak without moving to center?

His fit at center meets a glaring team need and may actually be the best way to utilize his skill set. He’ll have a much bigger impact in the middle and he’s got a ton of tools that’ll help him develop there. This is the guy we want to build around, I’d push him to develop every dimension of his game his talent can handle.

Your opinion; I’m not gonna try to change your mind. We’ll see. I doubt it happens.

 

[kp61c]

Didn't look good in the first po game. Played the least amount of time but still ended up with -2. That line is someting else, though. They may as well sit him out than saddle with newhook and laine.

 

[ViD]

Didn't look good in the first po game. Played the least amount of time but still ended up with -2. That line is someting else, though. They may as well sit him out than saddle with newhook and laine.

Not much he can do with Laine

 

[Zine]

Poor kid had to deal with SKA's bullcrap, and now Montreal's bullcrap.

Demidov's 2024-25 season = the year of misuse.

 

[WPGDEVILS]

As skilled as he is I stand by the fact that the NHL playoffs is not a place for prospects making their debut.
It’s just a different level of hockey than what any prospect has ever played.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Poor kid had to deal with SKA's bullcrap, and now Montreal's bullcrap.

Demidov's 2024-25 season = the year of misuse.

You’re clueless. Armchair coach.

 

[Garbageyuk]

As skilled as he is I stand by the fact that the NHL playoffs is not a place for prospects making their debut.
It’s just a different level of hockey than what any prospect has ever played.

Yet he needs to go through it.

 

[wetcoast]

I don't find any fanbase to be like the Habs one.

You guys have full game threads on your forum for Demidov SKA games that are as long as some threads for actual NHL game threads for some fanbases.

The passion with the Habs fans is just different. Leafs and Canucks match it in certain respects, but the Habs fanbase is the most passionate in the sport, in my opinion.

That's fair but sometimes it borders on cultist and not in a good way.

 

[wetcoast]

Not much he can do with Laine

Laine simply isn't a good mentor for him.

Frankly I've been extremely high on Demidov for a couple of years and it's going to be fascinating how his career progresses but I'm not expecting too much this playoffs.

We will see the more prepared version after a training camp and it could be a very exciting development year in the NHL next year for him.

 

[The Last Red]

Poor kid had to deal with SKA's bullcrap, and now Montreal's bullcrap.

Demidov's 2024-25 season = the year of misuse.

Yeah what a horrible year. Leading scorer at SKA and now getting a taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs . . . at age 19. Give your a head a shake, bro.

 

[WPGDEVILS]

Yet he needs to go through it.

I understand the habs don’t have many options or expectations but a prospect even as good as Demidov is gonna be a negative asset in the playoffs more times then not.

He’s not even really a rookie, he’s a prospect who came in from a different league.
After a full season of NHL wear and tear as well as adjustments and becoming familiar with coaching schemes he will probably be great next postseason in his rookie year

 

[Garbageyuk]

I understand the habs don’t have many options or expectations but a prospect even as good as Demidov is gonna be a negative asset in the playoffs more times then not.

He’s not even really a rookie, he’s a prospect who came in from a different league.
After a full season of NHL wear and tear as well as adjustments and becoming familiar with coaching schemes he will probably be great next postseason in his rookie year

He played 12 minutes. He’ll be fine. He’s getting a shot, and they’ll evaluate once the season is over. Like you said, he came from Russia late in the season. They aren’t going to make him a black ace after that, would be an absolute slap in the face.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Looked completely terrible today, let’s we if he can improve next game.

 

[Attack Vector]

his hype and aura sure deflated within 2 games.

 

[Devonator]

Even if the Habs don't win this series, this will be a great learning experience for Dems going forwards......

 

[WPGDEVILS]

He played 12 minutes. He’ll be fine. He’s getting a shot, and they’ll evaluate once the season is over. Like you said, he came from Russia late in the season. They aren’t going to make him a black ace after that, would be an absolute slap in the face.

Agreed he is fine, however a contending team would not be icing a prospect in the playoffs. The only time is Makar but he is an outlier and #1 D and probably top 3 player in the league.
Doesn’t take away from Demidovs future as a potential NHL star, the list is tiny of players that would succeed in the role he is being given

 

[Garbageyuk]

Agreed he is fine, however a contending team would not be icing a prospect in the playoffs. The only time is Makar but he is an outlier and #1 D and probably top 3 player in the league.
Doesn’t take away from Demidovs future as a potential NHL star, the list is tiny of players that would succeed in the role he is being given

We aren’t a contending team lmao.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Agreed he is fine, however a contending team would not be icing a prospect in the playoffs. The only time is Makar but he is an outlier and #1 D and probably top 3 player in the league.
Doesn’t take away from Demidovs future as a potential NHL star, the list is tiny of players that would succeed in the role he is being given

Caps played Leonard.
Wild played Buium.
Blues played Snuggerud.

High end prospects are worth dressing. Its great experience for them, and if they get comfortable enough they can make an impact.

 

[Zine]

We aren’t a contending team lmao.

If you're not a contending team, why play Demidov 12 minutes saddled with anchors newhook and laine?.

He's an elite talent. Why not give him a taste of what his role will (hopefully) be next year?

 

[WPGDEVILS]

Caps played Leonard.
Wild played Buium.
Blues played Snuggerud.

High end prospects are worth dressing. It’s great experience for them, and if they get comfortable enough they can make an impact.

I didn’t really notice Leonard today tbh makes sense he had the lowest TOI.
Snugs had a great snipe, but was getting manhandled and could not win a battle.
Buium did not have a great game.

So other than the caps who have an extremely deep roster who can really shelter him all the others are wildcard teams.
Your bottom 6 is super important to any contender and those are the guys that have to play tight mistake free hockey, not really the place for a prospect.

 

[kp61c]

rotenberg aside, he was in a better position to succeed in ska. the habs roster is brutal and demidov is a bad fit there.

 

[Garbageyuk]

If you're not a contending team, why play Demidov 12 minutes saddled with anchors newhook and laine?

He's an elite talent. Why not give him a taste of what his role will (hopefully) be next year?

Who says they aren’t going to (make changes or give him more minutes)? This was his first playoff game and third overall. They need time to evaluate and adjust accordingly. In what world would an NHL coach put a 19 year old on the top line in his 3rd NHL game? In the playoffs, no less. Armchair coaches need to get real.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I understand the habs don’t have many options or expectations but a prospect even as good as Demidov is gonna be a negative asset in the playoffs more times then not.

He’s not even really a rookie, he’s a prospect who came in from a different league.
After a full season of NHL wear and tear as well as adjustments and becoming familiar with coaching schemes he will probably be great next postseason in his rookie year

It helps demidov’s development and he’s a better option than next man up. No you aren’t going to get Stanley Cup winning play out of a 19 year old with no nhl experience but it’s not like Montreal has an otherwise Stanley Cup winning roster. Perhaps this discussion is better suited for a team like Washington maybe taking Leonard out of the lineup if Protas is able to return soon.

 

[Zine]

Who says they aren’t going to (make changes or give him more minutes)? This was his first playoff game and third overall. They need time to evaluate and adjust accordingly. In what world would an NHL coach put a 19 year old on the top line in his 3rd NHL game? In the playoffs, no less. Armchair coaches need to get real.

Do don't need to evaluate anything to understand the Habs have absolutely no scoring depth.
Meanwhile their 19 year old phenom is sitting (getting benched last game) and anchored with 2 plugs thus far. And it's not like Montreal has anything to lose these playoffs either.

I'm convinced it's Roman Rotenberg behind the Habs bench in a Martin St. Louis mask.