So he gets 8 pts in his first 10 games playing anywhere between 10 to 16 minutes. Even gets an assist in the first game he played less than 10 minutes (7:32). He was named KHL Rookie of the Month for September. And the way he's rewarded is playing 5 minutes or less as of the next game and the 5 straight games after. Going from consistently on the 3rd line down to the 4th down to the 13th forward. Make it make sense.
I get it, he's not signing an extension. He's leaving after next year to come to NA. And we know that's just the way it woks in Russia. We saw it as soon as Romanov told CSKA he will sign with Montreal and his ice time dramatically dropped after that. Trade him. There is only so much Montreal can do. They can talk to Rotenberg all they want, ultimately, they have no control.
Demidov got promoted to the Kuznetsov line in the 3rd and is doing very well, now SKA is taking a commanding lead as it lifted the tempo of the entire lineup.
No points, but hopefully they impress enough that he plays on a 3rd line next game.
I'm not holding out hope. The kid had 8 pts in his first 10 games and named Rookie of the Month for September and that didn't impress.
Here's hoping Kuznetsov goes up to Rotenberg and tells him he wants Demidov on his line.
