Player Discussion Ivan Demidov: Welcome to Montreal

[Dagistitsyn]

He had zero time to acclimate to the game and he's thrown into a rough playoff series against a much better team and we've saddled him with mediocre linemates. I wouldn't judge him by anything we see here. Anything he does is gravy.

Next year he'll have training camp to get ready and hopefully some better linemates to play with. I'm still very bullish on this guy. Next year I think he'll win the Calder. I expect nothing from him now.

Exactly. If he gets top PP minutes in place of Laine, I think he might find a way to contribute.

Even strength, I expect zero points until next season unless he gets really fortunate. Newhook has proven time and time again even if you gift him a goal, he's more than likely always going to screw it up and miss. Laine is cooked (maybe forever but hopefully knee surgery and longer rehab can salvage something), Evans might help him a bit but he certainly isn't the answer.

 

[BLONG7]

He scores........tonight!! The roof will come off the place!!

 

[Zine]

I mean I’m not remembering it wrong, Caufield only had 1 point in his first 5 playoff games sure but he was a threat. I’m not panicking, I think the big difference here is that Cole was also put in a better situation and ended up being a solid contributor during that run. I also acknowledged the fact he was older and had more games under his belt.

That being said, Demidov is supposed to be a franchise player according to most, and maybe it’s because I’ve never seen a prospect of such stature play for the habs before, but I was expecting him to drive his own line from the get go. Again, not freaking out, but just a bit disappointed he hasn’t stood out even a little bit in these two games which I however agree is mostly a question or circumstances.

No 19 year old, fresh off the boat with no NHL experience, is gonna step directly into the Cup playoffs and drive a line by himself..........err, not unless you're a generational talent like Ovechkin.

That said, Montreal is not putting Demidov in an optimal position to succeed.

Too high expectations + misuse = disappointment.

 

[LaP]

No 19 year old, fresh off the boat with no NHL experience, is gonna step directly into the Cup playoffs and drive a line by himself..........err, not unless you're a generational talent like Ovechkin.

That said, Montreal is not putting Demidov in an optimal position to succeed.

Too high expectations + misuse = disappointment.

Even Ovechkin not sure. Ovy missed the playoffs his first two seasons. When he made the playoffs it was his 3rd season. Crosby missed the playoffs his first season. When he made then he had one season of exp. Kucherov did not do much in his first playoffs 1 goal in 2 games. Not sure if he was scratched or injured the other games. MacKinnon did well in his first playoiffs during his first season but he then struggled and missed the playoffs the 3 next seasons. He was also very well surrounded his 1st season with Paul Stastny, Landeskog, Duchene, ROR, PAP. Asking a 19 years old player to do miracle with no NHL exp whatsoever playing with Newhook as a center is kind of deluisional.

 

[SpeedyPotato]

No 19 year old, fresh off the boat with no NHL experience, is gonna step directly into the Cup playoffs and drive a line by himself..........err, not unless you're a generational talent like Ovechkin.

That said, Montreal is not putting Demidov in an optimal position to succeed.

Too high expectations + misuse = disappointment.

100%, that’s why I was trying to convey a decent amount of nuance in my post, I agree he’s been dealt a crappy hand, I think the fact most of us saw him as a potential wild card/the equivalent of a top 6 deadline acquisition was just probably too optimistic in the context, I can’t disagree with you.

 

[WeThreeKings]

100%, that’s why I was trying to convey a decent amount of nuance in my post, I agree he’s been dealt a crappy hand, I think the fact most of us saw him as a potential wild card/the equivalent of a top 6 deadline acquisition was just probably too optimistic in the context, I can’t disagree with you.

It's not that optimistic in a vacuum but considering the options he can play with, it's reasonable that he's not gonna come in and be puck dominant in game 4 of his NHL career, in the NHL playoffs, with Laine and Newhook.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Canes fan today but a long ago Canadian fan too. I wouldn't worry about Demidov as it's unfair to expect production this year.

Growing up, Jean Béliveau and the Hab teams of that era were a favorite of mine (well, until Bossy came along). Probably wrong, and I am now old but I see a lot of Béliveau in Demidov.

I'm convinced he will be a star.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Anyone can make things happen with Suzuki.

I know the whole not broken dont fix it thing. I’ll counter this with keeping a 92 Corolla when youre offered a brand new Volvo.

We’re not gonna agree on Slaf or CC but even still, do you think Demidov looks ready to match up against the Caps best line? He gets a full pass from me so far and could very POSSIBLY look better as the series goes on but Demidov does not look ready for that kind of responsibility.

Most certainly hasn’t looked better than Slaf. Even you couldn’t think that at this point

 

[Kennerback]

No 19 year old, fresh off the boat with no NHL experience, is gonna step directly into the Cup playoffs and drive a line by himself..........err, not unless you're a generational talent like Ovechkin.

That said, Montreal is not putting Demidov in an optimal position to succeed.

Too high expectations + misuse = disappointment.

At the very least he needs to adapt to the NHL playoffs, which is a bigger jump than just the NHL. His transition at every level has been as close to seamless as possible. Still it took him 4+ games to start really adjusting to the KHL time and space. Some might not remember this.

 

[OldCraig71]

The speed and intensity of the playoffs is tough to adjust to but this is a great learning experience for Ivan. He will be better because of it. Give him a good center in October and he will blossom.

 

[Kennerback]

The speed and intensity of the playoffs is tough to adjust to but this is a great learning experience for Ivan. He will be better because of it. Give him a good center in October and he will blossom.

I think he’ll be fine already tonight. He was using all the time and space he was given in the KHL. I mean why not? But the fact he makes split second decisions, they’ll just be completed in a shorter window during the NHL playoffs.

Generally super elite prospects take 3-4 games to adjust their decision making when bumping up a league. Playing a subpar BlackHawks roster during the regular season is not the same as playing a top NHL team like the Caps during the playoffs.

 

[Mrb1p]

We’re not gonna agree on Slaf or CC but even still, do you think Demidov looks ready to match up against the Caps best line? He gets a full pass from me so far and could very POSSIBLY look better as the series goes on but Demidov does not look ready for that kind of responsibility.

Most certainly hasn’t looked better than Slaf. Even you couldn’t think that at this point

Again, as long as I dont see hin with Suzuki Im not going to say "he doesnt look better than".


Nobody looks good except when paired with Nick.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Again, as long as I dont see hin with Suzuki Im not going to say "he doesnt look better than".


Nobody looks good except when paired with Nick.

I mean kind of…you can see what Slaf did on those two goals and the chances he got last game. That all seemed pretty independent of Suzuki.

Demidov has looked pretty tentative for the most part with certain flashes.

If you were MSL and actually made decisions NOT in an inconsequential arm chair vacuum, you would’ve just put Demidov with Suzuki the second he got over here?

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

I think we will notice Demidov, a lot more tonight.

 

[HabsAddict]

Demi was not getting puck touches with Laine constantly losing the puck. Period.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

The best way for the opposing team to neutralize Demidov is to put him on a line with Laine!

 

[Bombshell11]

Demi should have his first assist on that goal, wash guy barely touched it

 

[ahmedou]

DEMIDOV JUMPING IN THE AIR

 

[Habitant#1]

Very impressed by how quickly he's adapting. He's trying to compete in board battles and even throwing hits. The "accidental" slew-foot knocking Wilson on his ass was the cherry on top.

This guy will one day also be a player who gets you THROUGH the playoffs as well.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Getting better each game
If this goes to game 6-7, he's probably going to look like a completely different player than we saw in games 1-3

 

[Tyson]

Getting better each game
If this goes to game 6-7, he's probably going to look like a completely different player than we saw in games 1-3

What he is experiencing is going to pay huge dividends in the near future.

 

[Jabba11]

Love this kid, he was so confident in his skills tonight. Taking the puck to the net when it was intended for Caufield.

The little slewfoot to Wilson. The vision and chances created on the PP. Finishing his checks. Dangerous on the PP. Never panicking when behind the net and make sure to make the right play.

This kid is next level.

 

[ryan callahan]

He's gonna be a beast next year book it.

 

[DAChampion]

He's gonna be a beast next year book it.

Rookie of the year.

 

[Kojo]

His best game yet, was more involved in the plays. Made some nice passes and could have scored a goal.

Only 1 SOG in 3 games though...