Those might turn out to be good comparisons but if Demidov hits as hoped, the fanfare surrounding him will dwarf Michkov’s . . . simply because Montreal is 20 times the hockey market that Philly is . . . and I live in Philly. It’s just a fact. Montreal is a one sport-obsessed city, and hockey is very much a niche sport here in Philly. Most people here could care less about it.
I agree. And I live here in Philly too. That said, the Demidov hype will be off the charts in Montreal but the Habs brand doesn't carry the same cache universally as it did in the O6 era and into the mid-80s. The emergence of teams in the sunbelt, more exposure and accessibility due to the net, and the hard cap have suppressed the iconic stranglehold Canadian teams like the Canadiens and Leafs had on NHL fandom.
For example, in the mid-90s and beyond, Mats Sundin was an elite superstar
(in a hockey-crazed metropolis like Toronto) and yet Eric Lindros was 10x the draw Mats was on his best day. Another example is Alex Kovalev of Habs fame. AK27 could arguably be one of the 5 most eye-popping, talented players in history... based on pure artistry and gifts... and he was adored in Montreal yet was zzzzzzzz when it came to his universal mystique among NHL fans as a whole.
Two things are working against Demidov when it comes to his popularity vs. Michkov, imho:
1. Michkov will be a better goal scorer. In his prime, he will contend for
(or win) multiple Rockets imho... and he is the type of offensive zone assassin who will have fans picking their chins off the floor. His highlights will be legendary. Goal-scoring sells... and Michkov will be among the best on the planet doing it.
2. Demidov will share the spotlight with Slafkovsky, Caufield, and Hutson, specifically. Believe it or not, for as great as I believe Demidov will be, Lane Hutson might end up the straw that stirs the drink in Montreal. Demidov will gobble up his points in buckets... and emerge as a superstar... but he will generate far more apples than goals and a kid like Hutson might be the most exciting on the club... in terms of razzle-dazzle and theatrics.