What Are the Montreal Canadiens Getting in Young Russian Star Ivan Demidov?
Diving into some highlights, stats, and more.
It’s official: Ivan Demidov is a member of the Montreal Canadiens. While his debut date has yet to be confirmed, it’s assumed that he’ll join them sometime in this home stretch of the regular season and, almost certainly, the playoffs.
The fifth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, ranked by many as the second-best player in the class, has proven to be a tremendous talent. But what exactly are the Canadiens getting out of the Russian sensation?
Get to Know Ivan Demidov: The Highlights
Below are a few clips from Demidov’s draft-plus-one season with SKA St. Petersburg, his first in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Courtesy of the KHL’s YouTube page, let’s take a look:
Anticipation
Immediately upon getting the puck off the draw, Demidov finds his man for a goal in a 6-on-5 situation.
He already knew what he wanted to do with the puck before the clip even hit the 1-second mark—it says a lot about his anticipation skills. He’s a strong passer, but both his vision and anticipation work in his favor.
Deceptiveness
Here, Demidov shows some deception. He was given a bit too much space to work with upon entering the zone, and he made the most of it.
Demidov got in a one-time position when he got the puck, but he instead turned up the ice to get a point-blank chance. Once he got closer, he acted like he was going wide but instead turned inside, sliding the puck five-hole in the process.
Relentless Creator
Here, Demidov shows how relentless he is as a creator. It was a good play by his teammate to get him the puck initially, but the 2-on-1 chance wouldn’t be possible without the 19-year-old star, either.
After missing the shot, he was the first one to the puck behind the net. Once he got it, he set up a chance for a teammate. A goal didn’t result, but this sequence showcases some of his skills.
Getting Open: Part One
