The Montreal Canadiens signed 2024 first-round choose Ivan Demidov to a three-year entry-level deal, the group introduced on Tuesday. The deal ensures the Russian ahead stays with the Canadiens from 2025 till 2027.
Whereas it shouldn’t be stunning to see the Montreal Canadiens signal Demidov, the timing actually is. By signing Demidov now, the 19-year-old might go well with up for the Canadiens throughout their playoff run this season.
Nonetheless, it’s unlikely that might be the case. Demidov has not performed in North America. He performed this season in his native Russia with St. Petersburg SKA notching 19 objectives and 30 assists.
General, Demidov’s rookie season was terrific. He set a report for factors by a participant below 20, beating Kirill Kaprizov’s 42 factors within the 2016-17. Even with that spectacular mark, it’s evident that Demidov just isn’t able to make the bounce to the NHL simply but.
Demidov has been adamant about working out his contract in Russia earlier than coming over to North America. NHL.com quoted Ivan Demidov on the matter:
“I’ve one 12 months extra on my contract, and that is why I will keep in Russia. After that, I come over.”
With Ivan Demidov’s KHL contract up, he’ll set his sights on the 2025-26 season, making an look on this 12 months’s playoffs fairly far-fetched. Nonetheless, if the Habs make an extended sufficient playoff run, Demidov might turn out to be an possibility down the street.
Ivan Demidov’s function in Montreal Canadiens lineup
Let’s assume for a second that Ivan Demidov decides to leap to the NHL throughout this season’s playoffs. Furthermore, the Canadiens really feel that it’s a worthwhile endeavor to insert Demidov within the lineup.
The large query at that time could be: The place does Ivan Demidov match into the Montreal Canadiens lineup?
Regardless of his important expertise, inserting him within the high six wouldn’t make sense at this level given his lack of expertise. As such, Demidov would probably get a shot within the center six, most probably on the third line.
In the intervening time, the Habs’ third line options Chrisitan Dvorak centering Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher. Maybe Demidov bumps Gallagher to the checking line, leaving Demidov with speedster Josh Anderson.
Shifting Gallagher to the fourth line might add extra punch as Jake Evans at the moment facilities Joel Armia and Michael Pezzetta. On this state of affairs, Pezzetta could possibly be the odd man out.
If the Canadiens really feel Demidov is worthy of a extra distinguished function, Demidov might slide into the left facet on the second line with Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine. Such a line might turn out to be one of many hardest to play in opposition to this postseason.
The one caveat is determining how properly Demidov would modify to the NHL. In any case, the KHL and NHL aren’t symmetrical. It’s not like leaping from the AHL to the NHL. Because of this, Demidov would want time to regulate to the North American recreation.
Finally, including Demidov to the Canadiens lineup this postseason might make sense, particularly if accidents turn out to be a difficulty. Whereas it’s unlikely Demidov makes the bounce this spring, followers shouldn’t rule out his potential inclusion sooner or later this playoff season.
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Edited by Nestor Quixtan