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Fifth total decide at this yr’s NHL Draft scores two objectives as captain of Russia’s U-23 staff in win over his St. Petersburg KHL staff.
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Ivan Demidov gave Canadiens followers extra cause to get enthusiastic about him on Thursday.
The Canadiens’ first-round decide (fifth total) at this yr’s NHL Draft scored two objectives as captain of Russia’s U-23 staff in a 4-3 shootout win over St. Petersburg SKA, the KHL staff Demidov is anticipated to play for this season. Demidov scored early within the third interval in Russia to tie the rating 2-2 with a pleasant deke to his backhand after which scored the successful purpose within the shootout with a fast wrist shot to the highest nook.
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Final season, the 18-year-old winger had 23-37-60 totals in 30 video games with the St. Petersburg SKA junior staff and was held pointless in 4 video games with the KHL membership.
A behind-the-scenes draft video the Canadiens launched not too long ago included Demidov’s pre-draft interview with the membership’s administration staff.
When Jeff Gorton, the manager vice-president of hockey operations, requested Demidov if he sees someone within the NHL who performs like him, the Russian responded: “I believe a mixture with (Kirill) Kaprizov (of the Minnesota Wild) and Jack Hughes (of the New Jersey Devils).”
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Demidov added that he makes use of related shoulder dekes to what Hughes does. Hughes posted 27-47-74 totals in 62 video games final season with the Devils.
At that time, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes informed Demidov that defenceman Lane Hutson, who made his NHL debut on the finish of final season after being chosen by Montreal within the second spherical (62nd total) of the 2022 NHL Draft, does the identical factor along with his shoulders.
“I watched him, his highlights, yeah,” Demidov responded. “And, you recognize, we’re very related with him, however he’s a defenceman and I’m a ahead, you recognize?”
GM Hughes responded with a smile, saying: “You’ll be able to play collectively within the offensive blue line.”
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Later within the pre-draft interview, Demidov talked about taking part in towards Juraj Slafkovsky — the primary total decide by the Canadiens on the 2022 NHL Draft — on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup under-18 match.
“Yeah … he lose,” Demidov stated with a smile and a chuckle.
That remark additionally had the Canadiens administration staff chuckling.
Later within the video, Gorton requested Demidov: “We’re fifth total and also you’re nonetheless there. Are we loopy if we don’t take you?”
“Yeah,” Demidov responded.
“We’re loopy, proper?” Gorton stated.
“Yeah,” Demidov repeated once more with a smile. “If you happen to didn’t take me.”
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The Canadiens had been hoping (and perhaps even praying) Demidov would nonetheless be accessible on the No. 5 spot within the draft. Ben Chutron, one of many Canadiens scouts, had excessive reward for Demidov within the behind-the-scenes video of a scouting assembly earlier than the draft in Las Vegas.
“Six-foot-and-a-half, left shot, proper wing, performs on his off-wing,” Chutron stated. “Dynamic, extremely expert offensive winger. Actually fast thinker, fast processor, performs quick, good fingers in visitors, quick twitch. Excessive compete degree, excessive motor, stands out each single shift you watch him. Not often, if ever, takes a shift off.
“Fearless participant, not afraid to enter the exhausting areas,” Chutron added. “He’s not shy to complete his checks. I believe he has a tough aspect to his recreation. Good management capabilities. I believe this participant is a winner. I simply suppose he’s extremely dynamic and somebody that may probably play on our first line, first energy play for the Montreal Canadiens. You already know, he sort of brings me out of my seat once I watch him. Actually thrilling participant, can create one thing out of nothing and I believe he can actually assist us when it comes to our offensive potential with the Canadiens.”
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Because the Canadiens’ European scout, Christer Rockstrom has watched many Russian gamers through the years and he additionally had excessive reward for Demidov.
“He modifies instructions like (Sergei) Makarov did,” Rockstrom stated within the video. “He comes within the blue line — (Alex) Kovalev did it additionally — comes into the blue line, goes straight in. You bought to be a hell of a skater as a defenceman to defend towards that as a result of he’s coming quick and he’s going this manner (drawing a straight line along with his hand). It’s not in a curve; it’s a 90-degree angle and in full velocity. It’s an elite transfer that he’s going to make use of, however he’s bought many different issues. He can rating along with his shot, he could make performs and he can beat you one-on-one. So he’s not a double-threat — he’s a triple-threat offensively.
“I agree with Ben on the character,” Rockstrom added. “We take him for his offence, however he’s not going to cheat defensively, both. I’m bought. I really like him.”
GM Hughes has stated he expects Demidov to be with the Canadiens subsequent yr after finishing the ultimate season of his KHL contract with St. Petersburg SKA.
“So far as this present season arising, he’s underneath contract to St. Petersburg, which is a world-class group,” Hughes stated earlier this summer season. “If he’s taking part in in St. Petersburg within the KHL I believe it’s an amazing setting for him for a yr. The coach. Roman Rotenberg, has accomplished a pleasant job with Carolina’s prospect (Alexander) Nikishin, who’s had an actual good development developmentally. So we predict if Ivan’s there he’s in an amazing place.
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“If he’s not within the KHL, then we have now to see what these choices are,” Hughes added. “They’re most likely not as optimum as being in St. Petersburg. We drafted him understanding he had one other yr and that was by no means going to discourage us.”
The KHL season begins subsequent Tuesday and St. Petersburg SKA performs its first recreation subsequent Thursday.
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