F Ivan Demidov - SKA St. Petersburg, KHL (2024, 5th, MTL)

[The Gr8 Dane]

yet one could deduce from the comparison that they (he?) speak about the same level of talent. that's not fair to demidov.

Not really , the poster did not put down demidov

 

[kp61c]

Not really , the poster did not put down demidov

no matter the context, comparing demidov to marchenko is jarring to me. feel free to disagree.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

No. With Caufield, we need to add a power forward. Hage makes the play. Suzuki and Slafkovsky need a more electrifying player.

I’m not going to pretend that I’ve watched a ton of Montreal games compared to you. But, Caufield has been pretty electric every time I’ve watched him play for the most part. Having Suzuki and Slafkovsky on the same line as Caufield just makes sense to me with the way they play.

I like your perspective. Demidov should be great at doing his own thing on the 2nd line. He's definitely the right kind of player that needs little offensive support to be successful and help take some attention away from line 1 at the same time.

I just see Demidov as a guy that is going to want to the puck. At least in his current role in the MHL, he’s more of a play driver rather than a guy who is going to be the shooting option like Slafkovsky or Caufield.

I just think you should insulate Demidov with bigger players that can do the dirty work and get him the puck. Hage and Dach type players fit that build to me.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

I’m not going to pretend that I’ve watched a ton of Montreal games compared to you. But, Caufield has been pretty electric every time I’ve watched him play for the most part. Having Suzuki and Slafkovsky on the same line as Caufield just makes sense to me with the way they play.

I just see Demidov as a guy that is going to want to the puck. At least in his current role in the MHL, he’s more of a play driver rather than a guy who is going to be the shooting option like Slafkovsky or Caufield.

I just think you should insulate Demidov with bigger players that can do the dirty work and get him the puck. Hage and Dach type players fit that build to me.

Caufield does not have the level to play on a 1st line. Suzuki and Slafkovsky are more defensive than offensive and it is not Caufield who helps others to score but rather others who help Caufield to score.

He's just a power play player who we questioned all year if he was advantageous. It should be reserved for power plays and confrontations against weaker players.

Demidov can precisely favor the offensive play of Suzuki and Slafkovsky.

And something else very important, the presence of Caufield on the 1st line forces Slafkovsky to play on the right. He is better on the left side.

Of the 3 left-handed wingers, he is the most efficient on the left side and the one whose style of play is least focused on inverted lateralities.

With, Caufield Dach, Slafkovsky and Demidov, Caufield and Slafkovsky necessarily play on the left.
Slafkovsky's physical contribution is fundamental on the 1st line. Dach would occupy this role on the 2. So Caufield must necessarily play with Dach.

Slafkovsky (Big) - Suzuki (Two Way) - Demidov (Talent)
Caufield (Shooter) - Hage -Two Way) - Dach (Big)

The 4 wingers are playing on their best side. In your system, only 2.

 

[jackp0t]

Ideal world Caufield is on the 2nd line, and used a PP specialist. Habs need a top line that can be used 20-22 minutes a game when playoffs time come.

 

[Canadienna]

Assist 5:09
Nice Move Before Tripped 10:50
Goal 11:37
Slashed on Hands But Gets 2 Mins 13:04
Goal 14:39
OT Winner 19:08

I just wanted to thank you for all your great videos. I especially like how you include the odd misstep as well as their highlights.

Cheers.

 

[danisonfire]

Caufield does not have the level to play on a 1st line. Suzuki and Slafkovsky are more defensive than offensive and it is not Caufield who helps others to score but rather others who help Caufield to score.

He's just a power play player who we questioned all year if he was advantageous. It should be reserved for power plays and confrontations against weaker players.

Demidov can precisely favor the offensive play of Suzuki and Slafkovsky.

And something else very important, the presence of Caufield on the 1st line forces Slafkovsky to play on the right. He is better on the left side.

I disagree. Last season he was playing after shoulder surgery and had to re-invent his game. He is developing a strong passing game to match his shooting threat. 28 goals, 37 assists, 65 points. That is great when considering his shoulder surgery. I was expecting much worse. Goal scorers usually take about a year to fully recover from that and it really drops their numbers the following season, historically. He still found a way to produce by passing the puck. He needs to have that passing threat to open up his shooting threat. Just look at Caufield's shooting percentages in his NHL career so far. 13.3%, 12.2%, 16.5%, and 8.9% (last year). Last year is a write-off. If he had shot his previous low of 12.2%, he would have had 38 goals last season. As this team grows the point totals will climb for everyone.

Ideally you want two balanced scoring lines. I think Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky fit extremely well together and they were one of the strongest lines in the NHL last season for a large portion of it. And the youngest on those lists. I would let them continue. Suzuki is the primary facilitator on the line with Caufield and Slafkovsky. Both Caufield and Slafkovsky are good enough passers to keep the other teams guessing and honest. It meshes extremely well. It has a good mix of offensive and defense. Good height and weight mix. You also can't just assume you can airdrop a more skilled player into the line and have the same results. Chemistry and fit is extremely important.

Demidov is a primary facilitator. They are rare and valuable. He can play on the other line and help create. Dach, Demidov and player X would be the hypothetical line. We need another line just as good and Demidov is skilled enough to be that primary facilitator. I pray we get 1 more high pick this coming year to really balance these two lines. From there you just stack all your best players on PP1.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Caufield does not have the level to play on a 1st line. Suzuki and Slafkovsky are more defensive than offensive and it is not Caufield who helps others to score but rather others who help Caufield to score.

He's just a power play player who we questioned all year if he was advantageous. It should be reserved for power plays and confrontations against weaker players.

Ideal world Caufield is on the 2nd line, and used a PP specialist. Habs need a top line that can be used 20-22 minutes a game when playoffs time come.

Caufield is good on the pp, but calling him a pp specialist is nonsense.

 

[montreal]

Slick Assist 3:02
Goal 5:18
Nice Move/Chance 7:44
Assist 13:38

 

[montreal]

I just wanted to thank you for all your great videos. I especially like how you include the odd misstep as well as their highlights.

Cheers.

Glad you like the channel, when I would look for vids on prospects all you could find were short highlights for the most part so I thought I would show the good and bad to give fans a much clearer picture of what they may have by seeing not just the good plays but things they need to work on. When done year over year you can start to track the progress each prospect makes with their weaknesses.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Caufield is good on the pp, but calling him a pp specialist is nonsense.

No, he's really a player to prioritize on a power play like Hutson. This type of player must be highlighted in situations where their physical and defensive deficiencies are least evident.

I disagree. Last season he was playing after shoulder surgery and had to re-invent his game. He is developing a strong passing game to match his shooting threat. 28 goals, 37 assists, 65 points. That is great when considering his shoulder surgery. I was expecting much worse. Goal scorers usually take about a year to fully recover from that and it really drops their numbers the following season, historically. He still found a way to produce by passing the puck. He needs to have that passing threat to open up his shooting threat. Just look at Caufield's shooting percentages in his NHL career so far. 13.3%, 12.2%, 16.5%, and 8.9% (last year). Last year is a write-off. If he had shot his previous low of 12.2%, he would have had 38 goals last season. As this team grows the point totals will climb for everyone.

Ideally you want two balanced scoring lines. I think Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky fit extremely well together and they were one of the strongest lines in the NHL last season for a large portion of it. And the youngest on those lists. I would let them continue. Suzuki is the primary facilitator on the line with Caufield and Slafkovsky. Both Caufield and Slafkovsky are good enough passers to keep the other teams guessing and honest. It meshes extremely well. It has a good mix of offensive and defense. Good height and weight mix. You also can't just assume you can airdrop a more skilled player into the line and have the same results. Chemistry and fit is extremely important.

Demidov is a primary facilitator. They are rare and valuable. He can play on the other line and help create. Dach, Demidov and player X would be the hypothetical line. We need another line just as good and Demidov is skilled enough to be that primary facilitator. I pray we get 1 more high pick this coming year to really balance these two lines. From there you just stack all your best players on PP1.

Many of Caufield's assists come from shots and his defensive play is very bad despite his efforts and always will be.

As mentioned previously, Slafkovsky and Caufield are left wingers, Demidov and Dach are right wingers. When you have these 4, you don't stick 2 on the side where they are less good.

Caufield's chair in 2 years, it seems to me more to be on the left wing of a 2nd line. I don't see a world where the coach leaves Caufield on the 1st line to put Dach or Demidov on the left side.

So your idea is inapplicable.

 

[montreal]

Here's a thread of all the vids I have of him,

Prospect Info: - Ivan Demidov Video Only Thread

His thread has already gone off the rails, so for quick access here are all the vids I have and will update this thread with the remaining games I still have to edit. I have every game in the playoffs and have just been posting them in order from the 1st game of round 1 to the final game...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[jackp0t]

Caufield is good on the pp, but calling him a pp specialist is nonsense.

And why is that ? You cant just say its nonsense and provide zero arguments.

I think we would have a better PP if we let Caufield control and move the box instead of just isolating him for his shot. He has a great shot but too often it wasnt quality on the PP and just pure volume.

 

[Kojo]

Ideal world Caufield is on the 2nd line, and used a PP specialist. Habs need a top line that can be used 20-22 minutes a game when playoffs time come.

Caufield can play 20 minutes a game. He's not a PP specialist. Habs current first line might become the second line in 2 or 3 years.

45 even strenght points last season after his shoulder injury, has great chemistry with Suzuki and Slaf.

 

[jackp0t]

He for sure can, I mentionned in an ideal world he would be a 2nd line guy and a driver on the PP.

Stamkos always had great number but his value came on the PP. Overall played less minutes than Hagel, Cirelli and was an 18 min/game for the last 8 years. By PP specialist I meant a guy you can build your strategy around. Not a guy that bench and use only during the PP.

 

[danisonfire]

No, he's really a player to prioritize on a power play like Hutson. This type of player must be highlighted in situations where their physical and defensive deficiencies are least evident.

Many of Caufield's assists come from shots and his defensive play is very bad despite his efforts and always will be.

As mentioned previously, Slafkovsky and Caufield are left wingers, Demidov and Dach are right wingers. When you have these 4, you don't stick 2 on the side where they are less good.

Caufield's chair in 2 years, it seems to me more to be on the left wing of a 2nd line. I don't see a world where the coach leaves Caufield on the 1st line to put Dach or Demidov on the left side.

So your idea is inapplicable.

Caufield was playing LW and shoots right. Slafkovsky is playing RW and shoots left. This had them both on their off wing last season and opens up additional shooting and passing lanes into the middle of the ice. Demidov plays RW and shoots left. It makes taking a one timer easier as well.

My idea was leaving the Caufield, Suzuki, Slafkovsky line in tact and finding a high skill LW that shoots right to flank Dach and Demidov. Do you really think that Montreal is going to break up Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky when Demidov comes over? After spending a few seasons building up that chemistry it seems like a bad idea and a waist.

 

[thebestnic]

Caufield does not have the level to play on a 1st line. Suzuki and Slafkovsky are more defensive than offensive and it is not Caufield who helps others to score but rather others who help Caufield to score.

He's just a power play player who we questioned all year if he was advantageous. It should be reserved for power plays and confrontations against weaker players.

Demidov can precisely favor the offensive play of Suzuki and Slafkovsky.

And something else very important, the presence of Caufield on the 1st line forces Slafkovsky to play on the right. He is better on the left side.

Of the 3 left-handed wingers, he is the most efficient on the left side and the one whose style of play is least focused on inverted lateralities.

With, Caufield Dach, Slafkovsky and Demidov, Caufield and Slafkovsky necessarily play on the left.
Slafkovsky's physical contribution is fundamental on the 1st line. Dach would occupy this role on the 2. So Caufield must necessarily play with Dach.

Slafkovsky (Big) - Suzuki (Two Way) - Demidov (Talent)
Caufield (Shooter) - Hage -Two Way) - Dach (Big)

The 4 wingers are playing on their best side. In your system, only 2.

Caufield is more than a shooter now. His overall game really improved last year and he looked fine away from Suzuki which he didn't in the past

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Caufield was playing LW and shoots right. Slafkovsky is playing RW and shoots left. This had them both on their off wing last season and opens up additional shooting and passing lanes into the middle of the ice. Demidov plays RW and shoots left. It makes taking a one timer easier as well.

My idea was leaving the Caufield, Suzuki, Slafkovsky line in tact and finding a high skill LW that shoots right to flank Dach and Demidov. Do you really think that Montreal is going to break up Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky when Demidov comes over? After spending a few seasons building up that chemistry it seems like a bad idea and a waist.

You want to do like the Russians, put reverse-lateral wingers on both sides. Outside of shots, a player is more uncomfortable on the opposite side. To pass, to lead the game, to defend is more complicated. This is why we try as much as possible to put right-handers on the right in defense.

Slafkovsky doesn't have the same style at all and has always played left winger. Lafreniere in NY also faces this problem.

With your system, the 4 wingers are on opposite sides and for Dach who is not at all a shooter, I find it difficult to see the point.

It will be Slafkovsky and Caufield on the left, and Demidov and Dach on the right for St. Louis, 100%.

Slaf and Caufield only played one season together, so it's not even a really established trio.

If the team has to improve, naturally, players have to improve compared to today.

I am convinced that in 2026/27, Demidov takes Caufield out of the 1st line. Maybe even late 2025/26. Caufield will be used as a scorer on the power play and against weaker lines. Like Hutson who will not be on the first defensive pair and put next to a defensive player (Reinbacher I think).

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Caufield is more than a shooter now. His overall game really improved last year and he looked fine away from Suzuki which he didn't in the past

Not my analysis at all. Apart from shooting, his level is limited for a 1st line player. He makes Slafkovsky shine through his shortcomings. Yes, he has more assists because his shooting % collapsed and a lot of the assists were shots.

Yes, he has a better +/- but it's Slafkovsky and Suzuki who do the defensive work. He makes an effort but he is not at all effective, especially in his zone.

Slafkovsky and Suzuki would rise in level and efficiency with Demidov.

Caufield would be a better fit for Dach and against weaker opponents. Putting Dach on the left side and leaving Slafkovsky on the right side to leave Caufield on the 1st line is not great.

I don't see how Montreal will be able to dominate the opposing front lines with Caufield. I don't see how Montreal will be able to neutralize the opposing front lines with Caufield. A team that is playing for the title has Caufield on a 2nd line. You can take all the 1st lines of the champion teams, Caufield has no place. In the Edmonton/Florida final, neither team would have put him on the 1st line.

 

[le_sean]

Not my analysis at all. Apart from shooting, his level is limited for a 1st line player. He makes Slafkovsky shine through his shortcomings. Yes, he has more assists because his shooting % collapsed and a lot of the assists were shots.

Yes, he has a better +/- but it's Slafkovsky and Suzuki who do the defensive work. He makes an effort but he is not at all effective, especially in his zone.

Slafkovsky and Suzuki would rise in level and efficiency with Demidov.

Caufield would be a better fit for Dach and against weaker opponents. Putting Dach on the left side and leaving Slafkovsky on the right side to leave Caufield on the 1st line is not great.

I don't see how Montreal will be able to dominate the opposing front lines with Caufield. I don't see how Montreal will be able to neutralize the opposing front lines with Caufield. A team that is playing for the title has Caufield on a 2nd line. You can take all the 1st lines of the champion teams, Caufield has no place. In the Edmonton/Florida final, neither team would have put him on the 1st line.

Caufield with McDavid and Hyman actually makes a lot of sense. Not sure why you think they wouldn’t go with it.

Either way, the Habs made the Cup finals with Caufield on the top line and he was a rookie with little NHL experience.

 

[danisonfire]

You want to do like the Russians, put reverse-lateral wingers on both sides. Outside of shots, a player is more uncomfortable on the opposite side. To pass, to lead the game, to defend is more complicated. This is why we try as much as possible to put right-handers on the right in defense.

Slafkovsky doesn't have the same style at all and has always played left winger. Lafreniere in NY also faces this problem.

With your system, the 4 wingers are on opposite sides and for Dach who is not at all a shooter, I find it difficult to see the point.

It will be Slafkovsky and Caufield on the left, and Demidov and Dach on the right for St. Louis, 100%.

Slaf and Caufield only played one season together, so it's not even a really established trio.

If the team has to improve, naturally, players have to improve compared to today.

I am convinced that in 2026/27, Demidov takes Caufield out of the 1st line. Maybe even late 2025/26. Caufield will be used as a scorer on the power play and against weaker lines. Like Hutson who will not be on the first defensive pair and put next to a defensive player (Reinbacher I think).

Montreal was the one that decided to do that last year. Not me. The point is to create more offense at the expense of defense. A lot of teams are doing it because of how important one timers have become in the game. There are also tricks to getting the puck out and receiving passes that NHL players will know.

He didn't last season. He played RW on that line.
That is the way Montreal Canadiens played these players last year. He broke out last season playing RW.

You don't want to see it.

Who are they going to play with next year? Demidov? It won't be one year by the time he comes over and the point was already weak to start with.

What? Players have to improve for the team to get better. The sun will also rise and set each day.

Once again. The are two "first lines". Two scoring lines. I don't suggest advocating for the breakup of one the the best lines in the NHL last year and the youngest of said lines. We will see with Caulfield not having just come back from shoulder surgery.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Caufield with McDavid and Hyman actually makes a lot of sense. Not sure why you think they wouldn’t go with it.

Either way, the Habs made the Cup finals with Caufield on the top line and he was a rookie with little NHL experience.

Hyman already plays the role of Caufield better. Evander Kane is criticized for not being effective enough as a defensive winger, this is not to put the attacker with the weakest physique in the league.

 

[le_sean]

Hyman already plays the role of Caufield better. Evander Kane is criticized for not being effective enough as a defensive winger, this is not to put the attacker with the weakest physique in the league.

You think the role of Caufield is to attack the net, score garbage goals and win battles along the boards? They are nothing alike. Cole would compliment those two perfectly.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Montreal was the one that decided to do that last year. Not me. The point is to create more offense at the expense of defense. A lot of teams are doing it because of how important one timers have become in the game. There are also tricks to getting the puck out and receiving passes that NHL players will know.

He didn't last season. He played RW on that line.
With the way Montreal Canadiens played these players last year. He broke out last season playing RW.

You don't want to see it.

Who are they going to play with next year? Demidov? It won't be one year by the time he comes over and the point was already weak to start with.

What? Players have to improve for the team to get better. The sun will also rise and set each day.

Once again. The are two "first lines". Two scoring lines. I don't suggest advocating for the breakup of one the the best lines in the NHL last year and the youngest of said lines. We will see with Caulfield not having just come back from shoulder surgery.

In last year's team there was neither Dach nor Demidov.

In a world where there are Dach and Demidov, Caufield does not stay on the first line to put Slafkovsky on the right.

Apart from Caufield, there is no one to play on the left in a top 6 in your idea. So it is inapplicable.

You think the role of Caufield is to attack the net, score garbage goals and win battles along the boards? They are nothing alike. Cole would compliment those two perfectly.

Caufield's role is very limited anyway. His ideal role in a team that is playing for the title is to score goals in the numerical superiority and play the role of scorer on a 2nd line.

 

[danisonfire]

In last year's team there was neither Dach nor Demidov.

In a world where there are Dach and Demidov, Caufield does not stay on the first line to put Slafkovsky on the right.

Apart from Caufield, there is no one to play on the left in a top 6 in your idea. So it is inapplicable.


Caufield's role is very limited anyway.

Agree to disagree.

Also as for you last point, I clearly said multiple times that we need another left winger for the Demidov line. Try to keep up.