Prospect Info: Ivan Demidov (2024 5th OA): SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

[Ozmodiar]

Beck's recent, but brief, call up to the Canadiens, provides a very graphic illustration of the difference in speed/pace of the NHL game and the rest of the hockey world. In the AHL, Beck, now an All-Star, is a dynamic skater, who can blow by most opponents. In the NHL, his skating was barely noticeable. There are very few under 21 year old players who don't need to become stronger and faster to make and be effective at the NHL level. Most don't make it and find their ultimate hockey destinies in lower or overseas leagues.

That is why patience and circumspection is needed before we all anoint Demidov as our savior.

You’re reading too much into it (beck’s play).

Beck played on 3 consecutive nights, then a 4th in 5 days. He played a total of 15 minutes in a position he doesn’t usually play. No PP time.

Demidov will likely play more than that in his very first game, plus PP time. He might also go unnoticed, but I’m sure they’ll hold judgement.

I’m sure he’ll have growing pains. Hard to predict what that might be because he seems well rounded. Could be the physicality. Could be the goaltending. Could be his defensive play lands him on the bench. Could be none of the above, and he lights it up. He’s that skilled.

 

[Noble]

The legion of mainboard clowns who said Demidov wasn't even close to Michkov's level as a prospect are really looking bad right now.

Those early comparison threads are going to be filled with some serious HF gold.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

The legion of mainboard clowns who said Demidov wasn't even close to Michkov's level as a prospect are really looking bad right now.

Those early comparison threads are going to be filled with some serious HF gold.

Some of us called it the other way around.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

The legion of mainboard clowns who said Demidov wasn't even close to Michkov's level as a prospect are really looking bad right now.

Those early comparison threads are going to be filled with some serious HF gold.

You’re not allowed to bring this up on the mains, I keep being punished for highlighting previous terrible takes

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Reinbacher is not close, he has played 11 games in NA and it was in the AHL

I’m optimistic about him as a prospect but there’s no way he’s a top 4 NHL defenseman next season

Don't see why NA games matter. Demidov will have played 0 NA games before playing in the NHL.

Guhle was a top 4 D in the NHL in his d+3 year. He only played 66 games in his d+1 and d+2 combined, all junior games.
Reinbacher will likely end up playing more total games in his d+1 and d+2 than Guhle did, and they will all be pro games.

 

[Habs 4 Life]

Stu nostie d'vedette cgas la!!

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Don't see why NA games matter. Demidov will have played 0 NA games before playing in the NHL.

Guhle was a top 4 D in the NHL in his d+3 year. He only played 66 games in his d+1 and d+2 combined, all junior games.
Reinbacher will likely end up playing more total games in his d+1 and d+2 than Guhle did, and they will all be pro games.

It matters that he will have played 11 games in 2 years with those games being at a lower level

he’s not gonna suddenly step into the NHL

 

[EveryDay]

It matters that he will have played 11 games in 2 years with those games being at a lower level

he’s not gonna suddenly step into the NHL

11 games in 2 years?

 

[kp61c]

no wonder the habs honchos went to kowtow to roro in piter, getting this guy for free is a steal of the century

 

[Thomas Sowell]

The legion of mainboard clowns who said Demidov wasn't even close to Michkov's level as a prospect are really looking bad right now.

Those early comparison threads are going to be filled with some serious HF gold.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

For those that watch Demidov closely, what would you consider to be the areas he needs to improve upon in order to translate his success to the NHL?

From what I haven seen, this is a player with elite hand skills and vision, who skates well with the puck and who uses excellent edges and lateral mobility to gain the time and space to make the highlight plays we have all grown accustomed to watching. He does not as yet have explosive straight forward speed. But with his other attributes, Demidov currently has more than enough speed to succeed at the NHL level. As far as I can see, he's at least as fast as Bedard.

What I have also seen recently is a growing strength on his skates as Demidov is able to withstand contact and not get so easily knocked down on his keester. He's going to need that ability, and more so, the first time he plays in the NHL.

As for what Demidov needs to improve on, I would say that he has to limit the high risk plays he tries in all zones of the ice. Demidov will not have the time to make those slick plays he now often resorts to. He has to simplify his game. Also, Demidov will to better protect himself and the puck when facing the superior level of player he will be playing against in the NHL. Hopefully, he will continue to get stronger. With that increased strength, Demidov will become faster and more explosive.

Whatever, this kid easily projects as a high scoring top 6 forward in the NHL. He's the type of player the Canadiens fans will love and other teams (who had the chance) will regret not having drafted.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

It matters that he will have played 11 games in 2 years with those games being at a lower level

he’s not gonna suddenly step into the NHL

He played 46 games last season.
He will probably end up playing around 30 ahl games this season.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

He played 46 games last season.
He will probably end up playing around 30 ahl games this season.

Yeah ur right just ignore me

 

[dauv]

IDK. 41 is more than 40. Just saying.

let me double check your math.

38, 39, 40, 41, 42

yes sir you are correct 41 is indeed higher than 40. Good Job lol

 

[1909]

It matters that he will have played 11 games in 2 years with those games being at a lower level

he’s not gonna suddenly step into the NHL

It matters that he will have played 11 games in 2 years with those games being at a lower level

he’s not gonna suddenly step into the NHL

Who are you talking about ? Demidov ? If so, you are far, far away in the left field about him.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Who are you talking about ? Demidov ? If so, you are far, far away in the left field about him.

No

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Thank you Trevor Timmins, assistant director amateur scouting CBJ.

Sending out Timmins for Columbus' benefit was a Trojan horse several years in incubation. That indeed is 4D chess.

After today Demidov is third in the KHL in plus minus at +22 and 14th in KHL scoring, with 12:44 average time on ice. Nobody else in the top 50 in scoring is below 15 mins and only two guys below 16 mins.

What he is doing is historic and ridiculous.

And his success was shaming his coach, who ultimately had to confront the absurdity of his double-standard.

 

[ahmedou]

Already 1000 replies!

From January 13th 2025 to January 28th 2025! In 15 days only! Around 2 weeks only!

Demidovmania in HFHabs!

 

[bsl]

Kotkaniemi had size. Low to average grades in skill and skating. Hockey IQ was OK. This is usually a pick in the 15+ range of the 1st round but because the center depth was weak in that draft, we reached big time.

I get the same vibes with Reinbacher but at least he has high grades in size and skating. Skill? Not sure. I think that is average grade. Hockey IQ? Also not sure. We will see.

Kk looked like Bambi on ice first game I watched him. I was horrified at his skating. Was not wrong.

 

[HomaridII]

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Guy Larose]

The legion of mainboard clowns who said Demidov wasn't even close to Michkov's level as a prospect are really looking bad right now.

Those early comparison threads are going to be filled with some serious HF gold.

As recent as the other day it was still laughed at that Demidov was better than Bitchkov.

 

[LV426]

I firmly believe that this kid has a decent chance of making the NHL.

 

[Vachon23]

I firmly believe that this kid has a decent chance of making the NHL.

We will see

He will to fight for his spot next year with Pezzatta

 

[ChesterNimitz]

You’re reading too much into it (beck’s play).

Beck played on 3 consecutive nights, then a 4th in 5 days. He played a total of 15 minutes in a position he doesn’t usually play. No PP time.

Demidov will likely play more than that in his very first game, plus PP time. He might also go unnoticed, but I’m sure they’ll hold judgement.

I’m sure he’ll have growing pains. Hard to predict what that might be because he seems well rounded. Could be the physicality. Could be the goaltending. Could be his defensive play lands him on the bench. Could be none of the above, and he lights it up. He’s that skilled.

I don't think anyone here follows Beck closer than this writer.

Whatever the reason, and I never like to start with excuses, the bottom line is that Beck couldn't create separation for himself: the hallmark, (at least in this writer's opinion) of a player's readiness to play in the NHL. Does it mean he's not a good prospect? Absolutely not. Only that he's not ready yet. It may well happen to Demidov. Let me watch Demidov play a couple of games against true NHL caliber players, on the smaller rink, and I will be able to say, in my opinion, whether he is ready. The rest is just all talk.