Player Discussion Ivan Demidov: Welcome to Montreal

[Hacketts]

Nothing we haven't seen, nothing we don't already know... but it's a good video that's not made by a habs fan.

 

[Paddy17]

Just because you want to see the shiny new toy play more doesn’t mean an nhl coach has to agree that it is the best way to win games.

It's not about any shiny new toy. It's the quality of that toy. An NHL coach doesn't have to be right a 100% of the time. What kind of argument is that?

 

[SpeedyPotato]

Should we rank them by beauty or is that going too far in 2025??

I think objectifying people is classless no matter the year. It being accepted and frequent practice in the past doesn’t make it right.

 

[Goldthorpe]

Has this fanbase - any hockey fanbase - ever believed that a prospect was given too much ice time too early? No, it's all these coaches who are too prudent for too long...


Demidov will be a superstar, but it's totally normal he is brought progressively. People need to relax. With the playoffs and all it's really a special situation, people will need to be patient with everyone.

 

[Goldthorpe]

Also...

Everyone seems to have moved on with Dach, but I kinda would like to try him with Demidov. Dach is not a good consistent playdriver for his line, but Demidov absolutely is, and I wonder if Dach would look better as a supporting player for an elite winger.

I hope the habs acquire a better center to play with him, but if they can't, we need to keep our mind open for Dach.

 

[Kojo]

Also...

Everyone seems to have moved on with Dach, but I kinda would like to try him with Demidov. Dach is not a good consistent playdriver for his line, but Demidov absolutely is, and I wonder if Dach would look better as a supporting player for an elite winger.

I hope the habs acquire a better center to play with him, but if they can't, we need to keep our mind open for Dach.

Do not put Dach anywhere near Demidov. That's ridiculous.

Laine with Dach and Demidov would be a disaster.

Two fringe fourth line players with a superstar.

He needs to play with someone like Slafkovsky and another player we don't have yet, his name start with a C and end with rosby.

 

[Scriptor]

The Duch is cooked.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Can't wait to see him in playoffs game. Him in the line up, make the Habs much more dangerous.

 

[InsideLaineBOOM]

Demi has confidence and even much older and experienced guys like Laine respect him and will be taking tips from him. Reminds me of when Aho (Carolina) was just 19 (playing in Finland) but was already drawing up tactics for his teammates mid-game on the bench.

 

[InsideLaineBOOM]

 

[tazsub3]

It’ll take more then that

Try Dach, 2 firsts, Struble and Kapanen

They need high picks and almost there players

As a poster rightfully said above , if Crosby says where he is going , the return won’t be as high as people think . There has been a ton of precedence for such moves .
From Bourque to msl, to a few others

 

[tazsub3]

There's no chance MSL gives Demidov any ice time. The guy doesn't know how to adapt. He's an ex hockey player who lived through routines.

In april 11th before the game when they asked him about Demi's arrival he got upset and "said im trying to clinch here, i haven't thought about Demidov"
The guy doesn't have the necessary experience to deal with superstars.
Now its his first time experiencing NHL playoffs as a coach, in his mind he's thinking i gotta win the first game.

I wont be surprised if he scratches Demidov at some point

I think you completely mistaken , he is exactly dealing with a star. He trying to let him integrate the team and not have the full weight on his shoulder . And he played him 16 min first game , the second yes he played less but he only missed shifts after we led by two . Any cos h in the league would reduce the ice time for that line before clinching .

Wait for the playoffs , he will get a heavy load , he is just not saying it in the media so plus as that

 

[eklund the clown]

Can't wait to see him in playoffs game. Him in the line up, make the Habs much more dangerous.

That's if Marty trusts him.He may only play 10 minutes a game.

 

[Bombshell11]

I think you completely mistaken , he is exactly dealing with a star. He trying to let him integrate the team and not have the full weight on his shoulder . And he played him 16 min first game , the second yes he played less but he only missed shifts after we led by two . Any cos h in the league would reduce the ice time for that line before clinching .

Wait for the playoffs , he will get a heavy load , he is just not saying it in the media so plus as that

I can only hope that is true but so far he shown us that he doesn't adapt well to new challenges. He had him go 4th on the shootout the same game he scored 2 pts... any coach, even Michel Therrien would have known better. Why he din't do it? Because he's a guy of routine and he doesn't have confidence (MSL), under pressure he'll always choose to go with what he knows rather than take "a chance".

I believe he wont have the courage to put Demidov this coming playoffs. The first game will be tight and we're most likely going to lose 4 in a row with Demidov barely playing.

 

[Erika]

That's if Marty trusts him.He may only play 10 minutes a game.

Martin Rotenberg style
E5

 

[Cole Caulifield]

You’d have to include Hage in any trade for Crosby.

How about
1st 2025 (16th)
1st 2025 (17th)
Mailloux
Unprotected 1st 2026
Kapanen

For 2 years of Crosby and maybe some cash retained if we can convince Dubas. Yes that is a lot but 2025 appears to be a weak draft at best, and Mailloux/Kapanen don't look to be in the cards too much, the most value out of that is the 2026 unprotected 1st. Crosby would bring everything we need, a left handed center which can produce as much or more than Suzuki, cup experience, leadership, mentor for Demidov, etc. We need to be going for defining moves at the moment. Our core is in its prime. It's like when we had Pacioretty, Subban and Price and we didn't do anything to add to that and kept them forever without doing anything. We badly need experience and there is no one better in the NHL to mentor a young group than Crosby. Even after his departure, he would have instilled through his examples what our young guys need to be successful.

The thing is that Crosby would need to want to come here which is not a given. A long run in the playoffs this post season would really help motivate players like this to want to come here especially if Demidov shows promise.

It costs nothing to dream... I know it's never going to happen but I hope we at least try to make it happen.

 

[TRG]

That's if Marty trusts him.He may only play 10 minutes a game.

Why would he not? He was using Hutson 25 mins a game right from the start.

 

[Kojo]

delete

 

[Cole Caulifield]

Somebody should remind MSL that Demidov just played in the playoffs in another pro league. I've always been an MSL supporter, but if Demidov plays 10 min a game in these playoffs, and he starts acting like all the other failed coaches before by relying only on vets, then I'm off the MSL bandwagon.

These playoffs are gravy... they're meant to be a huge learning experience for our young players. Give them experience in important roles.

Caufield had a prominent role in the playoffs right aftet jumping in from college. And it paid off.

Demidov is our wildcard. Play him and reap the rewards. If he fails, it's still a huge learning experience.

I totally agree with this. I hope Gorton, Hughes and St-Louis remember we're still rebuilding. It's not because we made the playoffs that we stop developping the young core. Developping these guys is putting them in position to fail now so they can succeed later. I already see one sign of this not happening at the moment and I don't like it. That sign is Savard or even Strubble over Xhekaj. To me, Xhekaj is as much of an unicorn as his brother and Slaf. You need these guys to assume big roles and they need this experience.

 

[Cole Caulifield]

I think he would have if not for the complete lack of back checking on the Chicago goal against the night before. He was having an unreal debut until that moment. That probably had Marty a little hesitant when the playoffs were on the line.

Newhook was also losing every single faceoff and is utterly useless out there. Wasn’t surprised to see the line get limited minutes.

Most people are fine with the fact Demidov took a backseat a little in game 82.

And aside from that, is there any scenario where the habs win the cup where Demidov doesn't get his contract bonus ? That's the only scenario where we can hope to win the cup if Demidov actually is that good. He's almost 99% not at his age and experience, but it's still our only shot. Might as well go full monty here. Worst that can happen is Demidov gains invaluable experience.

 

[HabzSauce]

That’s definitely not how HuGo have operated so far.

Ya they almost traded for Zegras of all people lol

 

[tazsub3]

I can only hope that is true but so far he shown us that he doesn't adapt well to new challenges. He had him go 4th on the shootout the same game he scored 2 pts... any coach, even Michel Therrien would have known better. Why he din't do it? Because he's a guy of routine and he doesn't have confidence (MSL), under pressure he'll always choose to go with what he knows rather than take "a chance".

I believe he wont have the courage to put Demidov this coming playoffs. The first game will be tight and we're most likely going to lose 4 in a row with Demidov barely playing.

I don’t know if you read French , if you do , go read on rds how is taking about adjustement and weapons and mentioning Demidov and what he says about him .
Therrien destroyed the confidence of kids , msl lets them play through mistakes . He has done it with all , and Demidov wont be any different . He just wont do it in the media and put both the pressure and the the capitals attention on a 19yo

 

[tazsub3]

Ya they almost traded for Zegras of all people lol

Cause you read it as a rumor ? Seriously ?

 

[HabzSauce]

Cause you read it as a rumor ? Seriously ?

It was reported by Friedman? Wasn't just some basement rumor..... Didn't see much of anyone here arguing against it either

And there was smoke with Zegras all year long. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if that rumor was true lol

 

[Naslundforever]

I can only hope that is true but so far he shown us that he doesn't adapt well to new challenges. He had him go 4th on the shootout the same game he scored 2 pts... any coach, even Michel Therrien would have known better. Why he din't do it? Because he's a guy of routine and he doesn't have confidence (MSL), under pressure he'll always choose to go with what he knows rather than take "a chance".

I believe he wont have the courage to put Demidov this coming playoffs. The first game will be tight and we're most likely going to lose 4 in a row with Demidov barely playing.

…Or take it to 7 with tons of Demidov amazing plays and missed D coverage in exciting playoff hockey that habs might even win who knows?

Gotta think playing #8 will be special for him.

woot woot! ooolee ole ole oleeeeeee

btw MSL ran with Hutson, Guhle, Slaf and Caufield out of the gate with limited sheltering, lots of minutes…