Player Discussion Ivan Demidov: Welcome to Montreal

[ahmedou]

My cousin saw at least 15 Demidov's jersey at the Montreal metro. During Demiday. Last Monday. On April 14th 2025.

 

[Boyon90]

new suit incoming

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

So then what's the second line?

Laine - Newhook - Slafkovsky?

Exactly, Slafkovsky brings balance to the fist line with his size and different skill set.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

People freaking out over Demidovs ice time in that game are completely out to lunch , how is marty supposed to trust Newhook and Laine in a game like that?

Demigod is gonna have to work his ass off to get that line going , if you want Demidov to get more ice time it's gonna have to be with Armia and Evans or Newhook and Armia and personally I wouldn't hate to see that.

I'm not kidding when I'm saying it must be terrifying for Marty to deploy Laine at 5 on 5 he's been that egregiously hectic with the puck these days and I hope he gets it out of his system he wasn't playing this reckless a few months ago

I would just try Demidov at 2C and let him control that line. He's a hockey genius he can figure it out.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Prepare to be disappointed, MSL & HuGo have all stated at various times this year developing players at NHL level is no longer a focus, it’s now about trying to win every game

Demidov is already NHL developed, in the exact same way Hutson came to us developed. These guys are hockey geniuses.

 

[habinthepeg]

Habs have the best bottom-6 in the league this year

Sorry, but this is just silly.

 

[salbutera]

Demidov is already NHL developed, in the exact same way Hutson came to us developed. These guys are hockey geniuses.

Hutson playoff performance is TBD until we see how he responds to Caps targeting him physically

Sorry, but this is just silly.

Why they’ve outperformed opposition bottom-6 all year - Habs have the most number of players w 10G+ in the league and the bottom-6 collective of 93G was ranked tops in the league as well

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Sorry, but this is just silly.

Explain?

Heineman - Evans - Anderson
Newhook - Beck - Gallagher
Kapanen
Dach

Seems pretty strong no?

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Ozmodiar]

I have a feeling they'll look for someone with more size, so no Granlund or Duchene.

The playoffs will give us more information. But I hated it when MB would make his whole offseason plan based on what happened in the first round of a round one playoff exit.

If it’s a 2 year bridge, then I don’t think they’ll need the perfect replacement. Just a noticeable upgrade.

If they go long term, then they’ll need an ideal player - like Horvat.

 

[Habitant#1]

Man, if Dach ever reaches his potential:
Slafkovsky-Dach-Demidov

 

[Guy Larose]

The only thing that worries me, is that wide stance. Some asshole's going to take out a knee.

 

[salbutera]

The only thing that worries me, is that wide stance. Some asshole's going to take out a knee.

That’s McDavid’s bread & butter for generating more balance & explosiveness - it’s what power skating coaches try and emphasize along w 110 degree stride extension

 

[Habitant#1]

The only thing that worries me, is that wide stance. Some asshole's going to take out a knee.

It's ok, he will have broken over 1000 ankles before someone gets to his knee.

 

[Kojo]

The only thing that worries me, is that wide stance. Some asshole's going to take out a knee.

I'm worried about the other guy who is going to try to take out his knee. Demidov always come out on top in those situations.

 

[Kennerback]

The only thing that worries me, is that wide stance. Some asshole's going to take out a knee.

 

[ViD]

93 is a magical number in Montreal until they win another cup

 

[Ozmodiar]

That’s McDavid’s bread & butter for generating more balance & explosiveness - it’s what power skating coaches try and emphasize along w 110 degree stride extension

110 degree stride angle helped Secretariat win the triple crown.

As for McDavid, his bread and butter is his crossovers. This is how he generates explosiveness. Uses them way more than straight line skating.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Prepare to be disappointed, MSL & HuGo have all stated at various times this year developing players at NHL level is no longer a focus, it’s now about trying to win every game

Find me find a quote because I've heard them say quite the opposite, that they still have development in mind, despite trying to "play meaningful hockey", which is the actual phrase they often use, not just winning at all cost.

They have one of the youngest team ever to make the playoffs and 16 of the 31 players who've been on roster this season are 24 years old or younger, and you really think developing them isn't a focus anymore? It still very well is. Besides, if they wanted to win at all cost, Hughes would've traded some of his many picks and prospects for some veteran help to replace some of that youth.

Demidov 19
Slaf 21
Hutson 21
Kapanen 21
Guhle 22
Dobes 23
Heineman 23
Struble 23
Jackeye 24 (last January)
Newhook 24 (last January)
Caufield 24 (last January)

Half the present 23 man roster is under 24.


Come on, find me one quote where they say development is not a focus anymore.

 

[Boyon90]

Lots of people here with tunnel vision

Put demidov on the 1st, its going to improve the first and so on

While 3 others lines struggle

 

[Doom Bot]

Cole - Suzuki - Slaf
Gallagher - Dvorak - Demidov
Heineman - Evans - Armia
Xhekaj - Newhook - Anderson

I would try something like this. I don't think Laine does enough on the PP outside of that crazy hot streak to put himself that far above Caufield. All we did was replace Caufields shot with a slightly better one, while neutering Caufield in the bumper spot. Caufield is also better at passing and keeping the play going. Move Slaf to netfront/bumper and give his bottom corner spot to Demidov on PP1.

We also need Xhekaj in the lineup against the Caps. I've already noticed guys like Hutson getting targeted with dirty hits since Xhekaj has been benched and if they don't trust him on D then i think he could do a decent enough job on forward. I know people don't like the idea of this but I would at least try it. Maybe swap Armia-Anderson if Newhook needs more defensive presence.

 

[Boyon90]

sounds like a bunch of asian tourists impressed by ... im sry move was well executed but migh as well put cones on the ice

 

[Jaaanosik]

People freaking out over Demidovs ice time in that game are completely out to lunch , how is marty supposed to trust Newhook and Laine in a game like that?

Demigod is gonna have to work his ass off to get that line going , if you want Demidov to get more ice time it's gonna have to be with Armia and Evans or Newhook and Armia and personally I wouldn't hate to see that.

I'm not kidding when I'm saying it must be terrifying for Marty to deploy Laine at 5 on 5 he's been that egregiously hectic with the puck these days and I hope he gets it out of his system he wasn't playing this reckless a few months ago

It was just a couple of games for Demidov and his ice-time could have been just related to dealing with jet lag.
If his ice-time is low over 10+ games, that would be a different story.

 

[ahmedou]

sounds like a bunch of asian tourists impressed by ... im sry move was well executed but migh as well put cones on the ice

 

[ahmedou]