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

[montreal]

if you want to read something funny, in the comments section leaf fan saying that Easton Cowan is a better prospect then Demidov,

 

[montreal]

Exactly, the “hockey dad” approach to prospects around here is misguided. Dude is an unreal talent, playing him with two very good players, in softer minutes, is the proper approach. WTF would you break up one of the better lines in the league? So it can be slightly better?

How do you know it won't make the line much better?

 

[HabzSauce]

if you want to read something funny, in the comments section leaf fan saying that Easton Cowan is a better prospect then Demidov,

What do you think of galkanftw comment on your video about demidovs flaws?

 

[Kennerback]

What do you think of galkanftw comment on your video about demidovs flaws?

If I had to describe Demidov he has ups and downs but full of superstar potential.


He is a bit risky at times no different I guess than Hutson he tends to just float sometimes doesn't like to go to the net w/o the puck but rather hang around looking for open spots very similar to Laine.


On the back check "defensive hockey" he is sadly a puck watcher tunnel vision on the puck very similar to Slafkovsky.


Offensively much stronger than we likely thought he is already quite strong on the puck protects it well something MTL badly needs good hockey


IQ but sometimes takes pointless weak shots but I cannot complain too much I rather players shoot than just mess around on the perimeter "shots are a good thing".


So I am sure most people wonder why is he often benched or receives less ice time than you would expect?Well I think it is a few things he does tend to float at times his defensive game is not SMART he will back check but doesn't really understand how to do it and he is risk taker likely not something a coach wants to see in a close game.

“he tends to just float sometimes doesn't like to go to the net w/o the puck but rather hang around looking for open spots very similar to Laine.”

Wrong: F

“On the back check "defensive hockey" he is sadly a puck watcher tunnel vision on the puck…”

Wrong: F

“IQ but sometimes takes pointless weak shots “

Wrong: F

“he does tend to float at times his defensive game is not SMART he will back check but doesn't really understand how to do it “

Wrong:F

“he is risk taker likely not something a coach wants to see in a close game.”

Wrong: F

Conclusion:

@galkanftw likely knows very little about Demidov. Also a troll which didn’t miss the opportunity to take passing shots at Hutson and Slafkofsky. It could very well be a 12 or 13 year old that wrote that.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Woah there. I need some sun. Let's not skip summer.

Between winning 5 cups in a row or eternal summers.... i'd pick the latter

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Ya exactly!

Bourque’s Maracas And martial arts Gionta where piss in my pants funny. The Foxhole metal Kazakh dancing was absolute gold mines too.

I've never seen those. Care to share?

 

[Gustave]

I've never seen those. Care to share?

I’ll try to find them

 

[LaP]

Ya exactly!

Bourque’s Maracas And martial arts Gionta where piss in my pants funny. The Foxhole metal Kazakh dancing was absolute gold mines too.

The chemistry one with DD and Patch and the grinding one with Eller were good too.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

“he tends to just float sometimes doesn't like to go to the net w/o the puck but rather hang around looking for open spots very similar to Laine.”

Wrong: F

“On the back check "defensive hockey" he is sadly a puck watcher tunnel vision on the puck…”

Wrong: F

“IQ but sometimes takes pointless weak shots “

Wrong: F

“he does tend to float at times his defensive game is not SMART he will back check but doesn't really understand how to do it “

Wrong:F

“he is risk taker likely not something a coach wants to see in a close game.”

Wrong: F

Conclusion:

@galkanftw likely knows very little about Demidov. Also a troll which didn’t miss the opportunity to take passing shots at Hutson and Slafkofsky. It could very well be a 12 or 13 year old that wrote that.

dgibb10 with a different username

 

[Habs]

oh , the Demidov thread isn't going to the bottom of the first page, no chance. When I need a pickmeup , I turn to HotRod

 

[Gillings]

With demidov coming we still need another ELITE DYNAMIC OFFENSIVE player.

Demidov will be so much fun to watch. Especially as a continuation of the Hutson mesmerization of opponents.

Right now, Hab players are a little bewildered themselves when Hutson puts his skills on display. I think that Demidov would be more of a keep that shit going once he got the puck from Hutson.

Demidov and Hutson are both reasons why we need skilled players in the top-6, at least, able to read developing plays in order to complete them. Otherwise, you end up with two special layers playing as one-man shows by necessity from others being unable to capitalize on their creativity and talent.

Laine fits into this category as a 'finisher'. It might not be the sexiest, but his ability to rifle that puck in à la Ovechkin is nothing to smirk at.

I don't know what the chemistry will be between Demidov and other top-6 options on the Habs, but players able to see the ice and creative enough to exploit what they see developing are clearly Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky. The younger Mouseketeer doesn't get enough credit for his on ice vision that makes him want to be a playmaker more than a shooter (despite the good one-timer).

I would even be comfortable playing both Caufield and Laine on the same line since Caufield would benefit from Laine as a pass option to keep opponents guessing, rather than being a de facto shooter. This season Caufield has shown that he can be a dynamic puck carrier on his line and has exploited moving the defensive box by skating into different zones with the puck.

An opponent (or two) covering Laine would open up the ice to allow Caufield more room to shoot on net. Focusing on Caufield because of a high success rate when he shoots would open up shooting lanes for Laine to exploit.

It might not be the best option, but I would also consider a top-6 of:

Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Demidov
Caufield - Dach - Laine

Slafkovsky would add size to get pucks in the corners and playmaking to exploit two shooters like Demidov and Suzuki. Bot Demidov and Suzuki would have each other as pass options and Slafkovsky could well surprise opponents with his one-timer to keep everyone honest.

IMO, both Suzuki and Slafkocvsky are smart enough to Keep up with Demidov's creativity.

Dach, more of a playmaker than a shooter, would have two sniper options and Caufield could become the hybrid sniper/passer to keep opponents honest.

I wanted to say this but my thumbs are tired lol. Demidov absolutely belongs with slaf and Suzuki. I like caufield on a 2nd line, he’s good enough for a first but would be amazing on a 2nd.