Confirmed with Link: Ivan Demidov released by SKA, signs ELC with the Canadiens (3 years, $940.833k AAV)

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I wonder if there'll ever be discussion amongst the Habs brass about possibly moving Demidov to center. He's the type of player that needs the puck on his stick as much as possible and definitely has the IQ and skating to take on those responsibilities.
 
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Oh I'm not saying he was my pick, but I simply prefered taking him than the damaged goods who hadn't broken out yet.


Indeed, I remember that some of us wanted Nazar, because we were afraid of Dach's history. Well, it is what it is.
 
The only way to break up the first line and not get hurt feelings in the room is to make it seem like you're intentionally trying to balance things out instead of demoting someone. Therefore the solution is to move Suzuki away from BOTH Slafkovsky and Caufield. Stick them with Newhook or Evans. Bring Demidov up with Suzuki and either put Laine on that line or Newhook (if Evans is on the 2nd line)

Newhook-Suzuki-Demidov
Caufield-Evans-Slafkovsky
Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher
Laine-Kapanen-Armia
 
I got downvoted the other day because I said Demidov isn't perfect defensively and that's a part of his game he need to work on. I think he was tired on that shift but he looks bad once in while on the backcheck and second efforts.
Now we understand why Rotenberg benched him a couple of times... maybe it's his only weakness...
 
I wonder if there'll ever be discussion amongst the Habs brass about possibly moving Demidov to center. He's the type of player that needs the puck on his stick as much as possible and definitely has the IQ and skating to take on those responsibilities.

Don’t watch Kucherov and Kaprizov and think yes switch to a C is what’s best

Just let him be a dominant offensive player that drives the play from the wing and give him someone who focuses more on defense in the middle
 
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I wonder if there'll ever be discussion amongst the Habs brass about possibly moving Demidov to center. He's the type of player that needs the puck on his stick as much as possible and definitely has the IQ and skating to take on those responsibilities.
Slaf or Demidov are going to get tried at center at some point. Unless we get a 2C via trade or UFA they're the most likely candidates.
 
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Seeing Demidov's creativity go for not with Newfook and company. I think Hughes needs to build the 2nd line around him. Bring in some guys with a finishing touch. Maybe these guys are in our system but seeing a linemate whiff on 5-6 open nets per game will cause my TV to suffer catastrophic damage. Maybe Dach? He did well with Suzuki and Caufield. Maybe Roy or Farrell? We need someone with IQ who can understand what Demidov is creating. My other suggestion would be to bump Slaf down. He seems to have lost his beast mode that he found for a couple of games. A demotion may help him find it again.
 
Seeing Demidov's creativity go for not with Newfook and company. I think Hughes needs to build the 2nd line around him. Bring in some guys with a finishing touch. Maybe these guys are in our system but seeing a linemate whiff on 5-6 open nets per game will cause my TV to suffer catastrophic damage. Maybe Dach? He did well with Suzuki and Caufield. Maybe Roy or Farrell? We need someone with IQ who can understand what Demidov is creating. My other suggestion would be to bump Slaf down. He seems to have lost his beast mode that he found for a couple of games. A demotion may help him find it again.

- I definitely would like a good second line, whether or not Demidov is on it or the first line. Teams like Dallas, and past cup winners Florida, Colorado, and Tampa were stacked with 3 good lines.

- so at this point I'd try to bring in talent and IQ where I can find it, such as Zegras if he's available at the right price.

- will be interesting to see what HuGo can do with our two 2 1sts and 2nds on the trade market or with the draft... and the UFA market. Playing with Demidov ought to be alluring for UFA centers.
 
Alright, i'm calm now...he's a special kid alright. I never had this feeling even when Phoeling scored his hat trick. I see that some of you would like to see him as a C, which i guess is a possibility, but being a C requires more defensive responsibilities. Is that something he wants or has he even played that position before.
 
Laine-Suzuki-Slaf
Caufield-Evans-Demidov

I think it would be good to shuffle it around and this might work too?
Laine out. Laine is a borderline 4th liner with an elite shot.

Suzuki-Caufield-Anderson
Slafkovsky-Demidov-Dvorak

The second line is better.
 
Seeing him live (on TV), in the NHL, I was blown away. Stick handling, the creativity were amazing, but what blew me away is how quick he can pivot and change direction. I haven’t seen that in a Habs jersey in forever.
 
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Hughes needs a lot of work to get good players for Demidov.

Newhook aint it lol

Absolutely. Feels like we are a few key pieces away from really being "in the mix".

Priority number 1 : Second line C. Desperately need this more than anything.
Number 2 : Upgrade on RD. Move on from Savard. Package Matheson + picks for an actual RHD that can eat big minutes. (Unless they're REALLY confident Reinbacher is ready to be that guy next season and can stay healthy, but I wouldn't feel confident betting the teams success on that)
Number 3 : If they can also add a top 6 winger for the second line as well that'd be a cherry on top. Don't think Laine ever returns to being top 6 even strength player unfortunately.
 
Seeing him live (on TV), in the NHL, I was blown away. Stick handling, the creativity were amazing, but what blew me away is how quick he can pivot and change direction. I haven’t seen that in a Habs jersey in forever.
He has super elite skills and his speed of reaction is so fast that going from Juniors, to KHL, to NHL barely affected his game. Totally seamless.
 
Laine out. Laine is a borderline 4th liner with an elite shot.

Suzuki-Caufield-Anderson
Slafkovsky-Demidov-Dvorak

The second line is better.
Well no he is not, and you really want to get him going by letting him play with someone with playmaking skills and not Newhook.
 
Lack of backcheck on the 3rd goal...yeah f*** right off. Same people who keep mentioning that said f***ing squat about Matheson's game last night. I hate french medias sometimes so much....
 
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He is so decisive with the puck, it's as if he sees his options and outcomes unfolding before his opponents - and teammates.

What will he look like at game 200? 500?

Interplanetary talent. Rejoice
 
Lack of backcheck on the 3rd goal...yeah f*** right off. Same people who keep mentioning that said f***ing squat about Matheson's game last night. I hate french medias sometimes so much....
It’s a statement of fact … doesn’t mean it wasn’t a learning opportunity for the future
 
It’s a statement of fact … doesn’t mean it wasn’t a learning opportunity for the future
He had nothing left in the tank. Was at the end of his shift....you know...Brendan Gallaglher style...after the jetlag and all.....what do you mean learning opportunity? You think with that he learned that it's preferable to backcheck? You think he now learns with that that defense is something you need to do?
 
It’s hard to get top end talent to surround him with, we just need smart skilled players , even if they are slow or even over the hump. A guy like toffoli (covid) era would have been great. Heck even Covid Corey Perry would be a great stop gap for demidov
 
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