Jurivan Demidovsky
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- Mar 20, 2025
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Delusional take that goes against numbers and reason, but you're entitled to it.
Who will end up as a better player: Bedard, Celebrini, Michkov, Demidov or Hutson?
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Rich Nixon
No Prior Knowledge of "Flyers"
Think it's hard to pick at this juncture, and particularly unfair to Demidov since he hasn't played a minute of NHL hockey yet.
I admittedly haven't seen enough of Hutson's season, but I do get vapors of rookie Shayne Gostisbehere. I bet we could dig up some en-year-old thread and find all sorts of arguments that sound verbatim like the conversations around Hutson today. He was the most electrifying, intelligent rookie defenseman I had ever seen, he sparked a weak Flyers team into the playoffs, and was CERTAIN to be a franchise cornerstone and to challenge Karlsson for D points leaders every year. He had a higher PPG than fellow rookie Jack Eichel! Surely, he was a better player!
And then after that he was just Shayne Gostisbehere. Good player, not a great one. For Hutson, as hot as he looks now, it's about rounding out and sustaining it. Forwards are a bit easier to project in terms of scoring, but offensive defensemen typically have yoyoing results year-in and year-out, so it's what they do when the points aren't piling up that differentiates them. Interested to see how Hutson progresses from here.
Don't think you can go wrong with Michkov, Celebrini, and Bedard. Think Bedard shakes out as the weakest player of that bunch though. Plenty of skill, but just seems...like there's something missing. There's no special ingredient there. Still will be an elite scorer.
Obviously see Michkov the most as a Flyers fan. In terms of play, he's kinda more Crosby than Kucherov, but you'd obviously be happy if he produces anywhere close to either one over his career. I think people who don't watch him see him as this perimeter player because he's a high-scoring Russian, but the kid forces turnovers in the corners like a champ.
He's strong as f*** too. And mean. I think earlier in the thread someone said something like "not as physical" and that's just laughable. Kid punched Celebrini in the head for no reason the first time they played. Fiery little bugger. Photo of him and Bedard side by side, Michkov is significantly beefier. Not sure how these 5 players shake out, but I anticipate Matvei being closer to the top of the list than the bottom.
I admittedly haven't seen enough of Hutson's season, but I do get vapors of rookie Shayne Gostisbehere. I bet we could dig up some en-year-old thread and find all sorts of arguments that sound verbatim like the conversations around Hutson today. He was the most electrifying, intelligent rookie defenseman I had ever seen, he sparked a weak Flyers team into the playoffs, and was CERTAIN to be a franchise cornerstone and to challenge Karlsson for D points leaders every year. He had a higher PPG than fellow rookie Jack Eichel! Surely, he was a better player!
And then after that he was just Shayne Gostisbehere. Good player, not a great one. For Hutson, as hot as he looks now, it's about rounding out and sustaining it. Forwards are a bit easier to project in terms of scoring, but offensive defensemen typically have yoyoing results year-in and year-out, so it's what they do when the points aren't piling up that differentiates them. Interested to see how Hutson progresses from here.
Don't think you can go wrong with Michkov, Celebrini, and Bedard. Think Bedard shakes out as the weakest player of that bunch though. Plenty of skill, but just seems...like there's something missing. There's no special ingredient there. Still will be an elite scorer.
Obviously see Michkov the most as a Flyers fan. In terms of play, he's kinda more Crosby than Kucherov, but you'd obviously be happy if he produces anywhere close to either one over his career. I think people who don't watch him see him as this perimeter player because he's a high-scoring Russian, but the kid forces turnovers in the corners like a champ.
He's strong as f*** too. And mean. I think earlier in the thread someone said something like "not as physical" and that's just laughable. Kid punched Celebrini in the head for no reason the first time they played. Fiery little bugger. Photo of him and Bedard side by side, Michkov is significantly beefier. Not sure how these 5 players shake out, but I anticipate Matvei being closer to the top of the list than the bottom.
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Jurivan Demidovsky
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The Hutson vs Gostisbehere comparison is rooted in delusion and Habs hatred.
Rich Nixon
No Prior Knowledge of "Flyers"
It's rooted in firsthand experience watching a young offensive defenseman tear off a ridiculous rookie season and then not improve from that point. I don't hate the Habs at all.
eviohh26
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Sasha Orlov
Lord of the Manor
- Jun 22, 2018
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So it has exactly the same logic as comparing any of the others to any player of the same position who peaked as a rookie then
Weird how nobody is doing that
eojsmada
Registered User
- Oct 23, 2022
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Celebrini
Hutson
Demidov
Michkov
Bedard
I think the only way Celebrini isn't the best of the 5 is if San Jose botches their rebuild. Otherwise he falls to 3rd. I think Chicago and Philly are too far away from finding any solid footing with their roster constructions for them to be able to take a big enough step in becoming better players. I think Michkov/Bedard will get their counting stats but probably not develop well enough because of the lack of roster strength on their respective teams. Montreal has the distinct advantage of already having a good supporting cast and that has already shown to be beneficial for Hutson and I think it will do the same for Demidov.
Hutson
Demidov
Michkov
Bedard
I think the only way Celebrini isn't the best of the 5 is if San Jose botches their rebuild. Otherwise he falls to 3rd. I think Chicago and Philly are too far away from finding any solid footing with their roster constructions for them to be able to take a big enough step in becoming better players. I think Michkov/Bedard will get their counting stats but probably not develop well enough because of the lack of roster strength on their respective teams. Montreal has the distinct advantage of already having a good supporting cast and that has already shown to be beneficial for Hutson and I think it will do the same for Demidov.
Difference with Hutson is that he has elite offensive numbers (I'm sure you are familiar) at every level he's played at. The question with him was always would his size and strength translate to the big leagues. When you finally get around to actually watching him a few games you'll see hes not a flash in the pan.
Ghost was a third round pick who was 8th on his college team in scoring in his draft year with 22 points in 41 games. 5th in his d+1 with 25 pts in 36.
Hutson was 5th in his draft year with 32 points in 27 games (Frank nazar, a center who went 13th overall had 35 points in 24 games) and went on to lead BU in points in his d+1 season, breaking 30 year old records for college D in the process.
But if you guys really want to die on the Shayne Gostisbehere hill I'm here for it. Will be fun to revisit in a few.
glenngineer
Registered User
Rich Nixon
No Prior Knowledge of "Flyers"
No one's dying on any hill and I'm moreso comparing the early discourse around the players than the players themselves. As in: The conversations and constant criticism/defenses are very familiar.
You're not and I can respect that you're simply pointing out the similarities in discourse. Which has nothing to do with the players, but moot point.
There are definitely some that are dying on the Ghost hill, it gives them comfort to believe that Hutson will end up a one way journeyman defender like Ghost did, rather than understanding that Hutson is taking the Quinn Hughes trajectory into superstardom.
Or, more likely, just a very poor understanding of hockey
Jurivan Demidovsky
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That too. Although I don't believe that it's more likely in most cases for Hutson, reeks of jealousy
Jurivan Demidovsky
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Nobody actually believes it. It's pure jealousy
Grate n Colorful Oz
Get busy livin
Dude... Hutson is 22 months younger (D+3) than Ghost was in his rookie season (D+5), and they are stylistically very different, with different abilities. Ghost scored a lot of goals in his rookie season, but wasn't the playmaking and transition wiz Hutson is.
Go look at Quinn Hughes' rookie season if you want a true comparable. Not only are they stylistically similar, their stats line match a lot, although Hutson is 8 months older than Hughes was at the same point. Furthermore, we've had several Nucks fans who have made comments on their similarities, so it's not just Habs fan bias.
Go look at my post on page 4 of this thread.
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RussianBum86
Registered User
Celebrini
Hutson
Demidov
Michkov
Bedard
I think it all depends who gets on a better team or the team brings in more talent around them the fastest. Bedard should bolt out of Chitown ASAP because we all know Gary rigged the lotto for them to win it.
I just don't get the inclusion of Demidov and Hutson on the list. Hutson isn't the same position, so it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. Like why not include Dustin Wolf? And why include Demidov when almost no one has seen him play full games? You can't judge a player solely on highlight clips.
Like I get it, you're a Habs fan who wants gratification about how good their young players are, but you have to use better comparables. Group Demidov with Sennecke, Ryan Leonard, Tij Iginla, Misa and McKenna, for example. Same positions and none are in the NHL (well I guess that's technically not true for Leonard, but you get the point). While they're not the same ages, compare Hutson with Makar, Hughes, and Fox. Same position and stylistically similar players.
I don't thnk this is a fair assessment to make. Having said that, it obviously goes:
Demidov
Hutson
Lemiuex
Orr
Gretzky
Celebrini
Mtchkov
Bedard (I think he's completely overhyped).
Like I get it, you're a Habs fan who wants gratification about how good their young players are, but you have to use better comparables. Group Demidov with Sennecke, Ryan Leonard, Tij Iginla, Misa and McKenna, for example. Same positions and none are in the NHL (well I guess that's technically not true for Leonard, but you get the point). While they're not the same ages, compare Hutson with Makar, Hughes, and Fox. Same position and stylistically similar players.
I don't thnk this is a fair assessment to make. Having said that, it obviously goes:
Demidov
Hutson
Lemiuex
Orr
Gretzky
Celebrini
Mtchkov
Bedard (I think he's completely overhyped).
Well, if the objective is to be immersed with talent, why would he leave? They have a very good prospect pool, and will add Schaeffer/Misa/Hagens this year. The ymay even get McKenna next year. Sure, they'll suck for a few years, but by the time he's in a position to bolt, they may have another cup contending team in place.
Michkov is far more physical than Bedard, what is this nonsense?
Takes like these are going to be insane in the not too distant future
Bedard's 19 year old season is extremely pedestrian compared to other top draftees in the last 20 years.
Jurivan Demidovsky
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Demidov is 100% not selectable from this group as your first choice. He simply has no basis for reasonable comparison, at his ability to compete in the best league in the world, against the very best players. He could be awesome....but so can the others who are already proving it. He's #5.
Next? Kind of impossible to pick. You have the B2B consensus #1 picks, who were hyped as the very best of the best of their draft class, and potential Tip-top NHL players. And centres to boot. They haven't disappointed...much. Bedard was touted as a Crosby-type generational impact, and whilst he's not quite lived up to the massive hype, he has been absoltely fantastic for his age, and linemates! Celebrini was somewhat less touted, but demonstrates a rounder game at this point, which may stifle the point-earning side of things that truly defines the very best of what the NHL has to offer...defense, well, that is not flashy.
Celebrini and Bedard are doing awesome, I give the edge to Bedard via the offense, which trumps the all-around game when picking the superstar you want.
Michkov ranks slighly slightly behind Celebrini, almost the same. He has more offensive oomph, and substantially less defensive oomph. But it is awfully close, and could easily still end up being flipped, even in this year's Calder voting.
Ranking Lane Hutson is the hardest of all, and versus his forward opponents. It's very difficult to do. He's been fantastic at his job. He belongs in the grouping though.
On a scale of 1 to 10, here's my final rankings:
Bedard 9.00
Celebrini 8.95
Hutson 8.90
Michkov 8.90
Demidov 5.00
For comparisons:
McDavid 9.90
Barkov 9.50
Hellebucky? 9.30
Justin Wolff 8.50 (he's only getting knocked down because of his up and down position)
Next? Kind of impossible to pick. You have the B2B consensus #1 picks, who were hyped as the very best of the best of their draft class, and potential Tip-top NHL players. And centres to boot. They haven't disappointed...much. Bedard was touted as a Crosby-type generational impact, and whilst he's not quite lived up to the massive hype, he has been absoltely fantastic for his age, and linemates! Celebrini was somewhat less touted, but demonstrates a rounder game at this point, which may stifle the point-earning side of things that truly defines the very best of what the NHL has to offer...defense, well, that is not flashy.
Celebrini and Bedard are doing awesome, I give the edge to Bedard via the offense, which trumps the all-around game when picking the superstar you want.
Michkov ranks slighly slightly behind Celebrini, almost the same. He has more offensive oomph, and substantially less defensive oomph. But it is awfully close, and could easily still end up being flipped, even in this year's Calder voting.
Ranking Lane Hutson is the hardest of all, and versus his forward opponents. It's very difficult to do. He's been fantastic at his job. He belongs in the grouping though.
On a scale of 1 to 10, here's my final rankings:
Bedard 9.00
Celebrini 8.95
Hutson 8.90
Michkov 8.90
Demidov 5.00
For comparisons:
McDavid 9.90
Barkov 9.50
Hellebucky? 9.30
Justin Wolff 8.50 (he's only getting knocked down because of his up and down position)
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