The Canadiens have taken star Russian winger Ivan Demidov, who’s fallen past his consensus No. 2 public ranking to Montreal at fifth overall.
The Canadiens organization should be pinching themselves with the reality that Demidov fell to them at fifth overall. Outside of Macklin Celebrini, there was a consensus that Demidov was the most talented player in the draft. However, much like the fall of Matvei Michkov in last year’s draft, it may take some time for Demidov to find his way to North America.
Demidov played most of the 2023-24 season with SKA-1946 of the MHL, a junior hockey league in Russia. With his contract rights owned by SKA St. Petersberg of the Kontinental Hockey League, Demidov should suit up for them as soon as next year.
This season, Demidov showed why he was one of the most dynamic players available in the 2024 NHL Draft with 23 goals and a 60-point effort in only 30 games. In the postseason, Demidov continued to put points on the board with 11 goals and 28 points in 17 playoff games.
There are some questions surrounding his play on the defensive side of the puck, but his offensive characteristics should play nicely for the Canadiens. Even if Demidov spends the next 2-3 years in his native Russia, he projects to be worth the wait for Montreal.
Steal of the draft
The habs couldn’t work out a deal to get Eiserman when he started falling like WTF THEY SCORING ABOVE IT ALL AND THE KID GOES 1 PICK BEFORE
Is he really needed when they already have a similar guy like Caufield?
I hear you but cole is the only legit scoring threat they have. Other then him Depending on how Slaf develops they don’t have a game breaker, they don’t have a threat to score 30+ year in and out, if you can shut down cole then you greatly increase your chances to win. Goal scoring is what they lack from the bell center to the farm and this offseason they have to do whatever they can within reason to get it. I know that Eiserman is a liability in the d zone but scoring is what wins and both he and Cole would be electric. The Zergas and Necas asks allegedly start with Ghule or Reinbacher plus so I’m hoping they add Liane on day 2.
I guess what I’m saying is with that guy being so close and goal scoring being the teams biggest need they should have found out a way. Hage may end up being miles better but I’m disappointed right now
Scoring obviously is important, especially when a team lacks it, as the Habs do. That said, this last Stanley Cup was won on a stellar & stifling defensive effort at the last “second,” so to speak, by the Florida Panthers.
Demidov is a notch above Caufield in skill, and has size and speed. Think Kapritzov level.
Love Hage, he is going to be a big strong 200 ft. Winger.
This was the missing piece for Montreal, very lucky he slipped at 5th overall