Recalled/Assigned: Owen Beck recalled from the Laval Rocket (sent down Jan 22/25)

[WeThreeKings]

Not sure. I think Beck plays a safe style of game while someone like Demidov has better skating and will power to overcome. Demidov has the skating to support his high level of skill. It's the physical areas that is unknown. NHL is more physical than the KHL (no doubt). Does Demidov shy away from the physical stuff and get complacent because he don't want to get his bell rung (Drouin syndrome)

I think the difference here is Demidov is more like Caufield and Hutson and Beck is more like Evans who will take time. It's the difference between a B+ type prospect and a A+ type prospect.

If you've watched one game of Demidov you would know that he does not. In fact, he loves it.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Not sure. I think Beck plays a safe style of game while someone like Demidov has better skating and will power to overcome. Demidov has the skating to support his high level of skill. It's the physical areas that is unknown. NHL is more physical than the KHL (no doubt). Does Demidov shy away from the physical stuff and get complacent because he don't want to get his bell rung (Drouin syndrome)

I think the difference here is Demidov is more like Caufield and Hutson and Beck is more like Evans who will take time. It's the difference between a B+ type prospect and a A+ type prospect.

Well said.
I have not watched Demidov nearly as closely as I have Beck. I, like most, have only been able to judge his progress through watching highlites of his play. That can be a misleading exercise. But the highlites that I did see of this kid over the past few years so impressed me that I remember posting prior to the 2023 draft that the real Russian prospect to salivate over wasn’t Michkov but the younger Demidov.

As for Demidov being a ‘better’ skater than Beck, I will hold my judgment until I see Demidov skate against NHL competition. There’s seems to be no question that he has greater hand skills, offensive creativity and lateral skating ability than Beck but does he have Beck’s top end speed? Let’s wait and see.

But there is no question that Demidov is Montreal’s top prospect by a far margin. Now let’s all wait and see if that great promise turns into reality.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Well said.
I have not watched Demidov nearly as closely as I have Beck. I, like most, have only been able to judge his progress through watching highlites of his play. That can be a misleading exercise. But the highlites that I did see of this kid over the past few years so impressed me that I remember posting prior to the 2023 draft that the real Russian prospect to salivate over wasn’t Michkov but the younger Demidov.

As for Demidov being a ‘better’ skater than Beck, I will hold my judgment until I see Demidov skate against NHL competition. There’s seems to be no question that he has greater hand skills, offensive creativity and lateral skating ability than Beck but does he have Beck’s top end speed? Let’s wait and see.

But there is no question that Demidov is Montreal’s top prospect by a far margin. Now let’s all wait and see if that great promise turns into reality.

Skating and IQ is the most important IMO. Most of these kids have some level of skill. Demidov more than Beck but the main point here is skating. Demidov's skating is very good and he is one of those types to overcome challenges. Most guys in his situation (reduced min's) would fade pretty quickly.

Expect Michkov level of play or higher.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Skating and IQ is the most important IMO. Most of these kids have some level of skill. Demidov more than Beck but the main point here is skating. Demidov's skating is very good and he is one of those types to overcome challenges. Most guys in his situation (reduced min's) would fade pretty quickly.

Expect Michkov level of play or higher.

From your lips (or finger tips) to God’s ears.

If Demidov turns out to be as impactful a player as we all hope, he will be a transformative player for this storied franchise.