Player Discussion Ivan Demidov: Welcome to Montreal

[OldCraig71]

Another poster said that Demidov not producing was a 'coaching issue'... nothing to do with the fact that he's only three games into his NHL career and one has been in the postseason.

Demidov like many young players, could use the mentoring and guidance of a good veteran player, in this case the need is at center. I agree that it has nothing to do with the coach, but rather the personnel he has to play with.

Even if he struggles, the experience he is gaining now will show him what he needs to work on and next season he will hit the ground running on the wing of Sidney Crosby.

Newhook is trying to survive at center, and I picture Laine seeing psychedelic images in his head when he has the puck on his stick. There is no chemistry between them.

 

[OldCraig71]

It wasn't a rebuttal. It was an affirmation of what you had said with adding a bit of my opinion, which you might or might not agree with. Not presuming.

Oh, then I misunderstood. Apologies.

 

[ahmedou]

IVAN DEMIDOV'S TOI AGAINST THE CAPS: 11:57

 

[Jabba11]

Well we certainly haven't seen much from Demidov after that incredible first 10 minutes. He is going to need time and space at this young point in his career. The playoffs are smothering and it'll be tough for him to find his ground.

Get him on PP1 where we can let him use his creativity with a little more space.

He is highly intelligent and will find a way to make an impact (even without PP1 time) by the end of the series, I have no doubt.

Also, hilarious last night when he came face to face with Ovi. Refused to look the big alpha in the eye. It's like my dog when he's being a bad boy.

Smart move not to look Ovy in the eyes. Kid is a stud. He didn’t do like Svech did and get KO by papa Bear.

Ovy is the Russian alpha of the league.

I don’t know what game you guys were watching but I saw a 19 yo kid who didn’t look out of pace, we tried to finish his checks. He didn’t engaged with Ovy. He’s getting a feel for the game.

 

[badfish]

In the year Caufield joined the habs, he only played 5 of 7 games in the first round. He had 1 assist in the first round (on the Suzuki OT winner) and was a -2. Jets series he did a bit better with 3 assists in 4 games. He didn't score his first playoff goal until his 10th playoff game.

So breathe a little if Demidov doesn't produce much this series. He still might be ok.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He won 2024 and 2025, so see you in 2 years?

If he wins the next two? Sure.

Kucherov has been a late bloomer. You're counting this as a minus where as i count it as a plus.



Lets forget about age, i dont see how its relevant in this context

Bottom line is he’s not generational. He’s a great player and HOfer but he’s not at McDavid’s level.

Absolutely. He doesn't want to upset the vets and has said publicly Demidov is not coming here as a saviour and that the guys here have been fighting all year long to get us where we are... If you can't read between the lines, its not my problem

He doesn’t want to break up a great line. Why would he?

No1: Demidov would do alot better on the first than Slaf. thats a fact.

No2: Laine has no business on the 1st PP, Demi could easely replace him.

1. Your conjecture isn’t fact.
Here’s a fact for you: Our first line is fantastic as is.

MSL doesn’t want to mess with something that’s working. We’re hoping Demidov can add secondary scoring. Three games into his career we shouldn’t count on him for anything. Whatever he does is a bonus.

2. Demidov will get his chance. Like it or not Laine scores at a pretty high rate. Our PP has been middle of the pack most of the year, he doesn’t want to start experimenting in the playoffs.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I'm sorry but my fuse is a little short lately for a variety of reasons,

Don't tell me you're not getting enough sleep?!?

 

[CHwest]

Have you seen Drouin? Pacioretty? Laine? Bedard?

What are you talking about...

I have seen Gilmore, Richard, Clarke, Brind'Amour, Chelious, Robinson. players that willed their teams to win. Cannot think of a Russian like that.

 

[ViD]

Demidov is going to hit a point like Michkov did after a few great games.

The emotions from the debut wear off and the defensemen start paying attention to him much more.

Also, it’s play offs so flashy plays are not welcomed and he’s just not used to hard grinding type of plays.

Having an absolute black hole as a linemate doesn’t help either

 

[ViD]

I have seen Gilmore, Richard, Clarke, Brind'Amour, Chelious, Robinson. players that willed their teams to win. Cannot think of a Russian like that.

There’s literally a number of Russian players that won the Conn Smythe in the last 15 years

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I have seen Gilmore, Richard, Clarke, Brind'Amour, Chelious, Robinson. players that willed their teams to win. Cannot think of a Russian like that.

Ovechkin, Vasilyevskiy, Datsyuk, Malkin, Fedorov, Kucherov, Bobrovsky on recentish Cup winners alone

Not to mention Tretiak, Makarov, Fetisov, Larionov, Kharlamov, etc

(Mod)

 

[salbutera]

Reminder: last night was Demigod’s first “road game”…..which happened to also be his first ever NHL playoff game which is nothing like KHL playoffs in terms of intensity & physicality.

Fandom needs to chill..

 

[Captain Mountain]

I have seen Gilmore, Richard, Clarke, Brind'Amour, Chelious, Robinson. players that willed their teams to win. Cannot think of a Russian like that.

You literally just watched a game with Ovechkin being a physical force and being the key to his team winning.

He, Vasilevsky and Malkin have Conn Smythes. Guys like Fedorov and Datsyuk have been forces in the playoffs for years.

What on earth are you talking about.

 

[HabsCowboysOwn]

The whole 'Russians are lazy' thing is so played out and simply not true, pretty amazing (and sad) that we're still hearing this shit in 2025.

 

[Mrb1p]

The whole 'Russians are lazy' thing is so played out and simply not true, pretty amazing (and sad) that we're still hearing this shit in 2025.

People have called Ovi lazy and selfish at times.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Drive is something that as a generalization Russians struggle with.

Crazy that this hasn’t gotten mod edited still

 

[Andrei79]

I have seen Gilmore, Richard, Clarke, Brind'Amour, Chelious, Robinson. players that willed their teams to win. Cannot think of a Russian like that.

Well, from reading your list, the issue is likely that you've missed the last 20 years.

 

[McGees]

Not a great game, looked shell shocked. Needs better teammates than a fake C and a lazy winger.
Give him Evans and Heineman

 

[Natey]

Habs don't have depth or skill players to slot around but I wonder if Dvorak can't offer more as the de facto 2C instead of Newhook.

I really like Newhook but I think this makes the most sense both offensively and defensively.

Heineman*-Dvorak-Demidov
Anderson-Evans-Gallagher
Laine-Newhook-Armia

If Laine continues to drag ass.

 

[Bombshell11]

I have seen Gilmore, Richard, Clarke, Brind'Amour, Chelious, Robinson. players that willed their teams to win. Cannot think of a Russian like that.

Ovechkin?
Malkin?
Datsyuk?
Gretzky? <— yes hes russian with greek descent
Federov
Chelios is greek
Kopitar
Kucherov
Stasny
Forsberg

there’s a large pool of russians and europeans who did well

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I really like Newhook but I think this makes the most sense both offensively and defensively.

Heineman*-Dvorak-Demidov
Anderson-Evans-Gallagher
Laine-Newhook-Armia

If Laine continues to drag ass.

Lmao what do you mean “if”

 

[cphabs]

Ovechkin, Vasilyevskiy, Datsyuk, Malkin, Fedorov, Kucherov, Bobrovsky on recentish Cup winners alone

Not to mention Tretiak, Makarov, Fetisov, Larionov, Kharlamov, etc

(Mod)

Fedorov? He’d be putting up 100+ points a year in this league and winning the Selke a bunch!

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Fedorov? He’d be putting up 100+ points a year in this league and winning the Selke a bunch!

Nope, his lack of drive would hold him back actually

 

[CHwest]

You literally just watched a game with Ovechkin being a physical force and being the key to his team winning.

He, Vasilevsky and Malkin have Conn Smythes. Guys like Fedorov and Datsyuk have been forces in the playoffs for years.

What on earth are you talking about.

I did, it doesn't change the fact that he quit on his team numerous times in years preceding the caps cup run. Dude is a quitter.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I did, it doesn't change the fact that he quit on his team numerous times in years preceding the caps cup run. Dude is a quitter.

God I wish we could get a quitter like him

Also why do you keep ignoring all the posts calling out your stupid ass comment with many examples of driven Russian players