Simon Boisvert: If Demidov comes to North America, it won’t be to play in Laval
Auteur: Andrew TaylorIt’s unclear whether he’ll have a chance to play for SKA St. Petersburg next season, even though he’s under contract with the KHL organization.
We’ll have to watch the start of the KHL season for more clues, but the possibility is real.
At least, it’s been circulating a lot on various social platforms over the past week.
If it happens and Demidov has the opportunity to join the Habs organization, a decision on where he’ll play (Laval or Montreal) will be made in due course.
But in Simon Boisvert’s eyes, it’s clear: if Demidov gets the green light to make the jump to North America for next season, he won’t be playing in Laval.
He’ll develop in a Canadiens uniform, not a Rocket one:
If Ivan Demidov doesn’t crack the SKA St. Petersburg roster in the KHL and comes to America, it won’t be to play in Laval, according to the Snake!
To listen to his full review with @SebGouletTVAS: https://t.co/5axNkwoneU pic.twitter.com/qj3ki8pPsG
– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) July 23, 2024
If the Habs feel that the NHL is better off with him surrounded by several talented players, then that’s what it will be.
On the other hand, the idea of seeing him play a few games in the AHL might make sense to some, because he’d get quality playing time and have a lot of responsibility on the ice.
I’m leaning more towards the first option. But in either case, the Habs will have to make sure they allow him to express himself on the ice.
Ivan Demidov is an offensive player and it’s by creating things offensively that he’s at his best. He needs to have some freedom in the offensive zone because that’s (partly) going to be his role in Montreal in the future, to rack up points and produce offensively.
The club didn’t rush Logan Mailloux or David Reinbacher, Arber Xhekaj and Justin Barron took stints in the AHL to fine-tune aspects of their respective games, Joshua Roy started last season in Laval even after an excellent training camp… In short. You know what I mean.
What I’m trying to say here is that the Habs will make the best decision for Demidov’s development, and that we shouldn’t worry about it.
Overtime
– Minor signing in Buffalo.
Beck Malenstyn and Buffalo have a settlement at 2 x $1.35M
– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 23, 2024
– Wow!
Oh. My. Podyapolsky.#KHLMoments pic.twitter.com/HqybZENhMI
– KHL (@khl_eng) July 23, 2024
– Great career.
Andy Murray has announced that he will retire from tennis after the Paris Olympics. pic.twitter.com/B1xlkMER6v
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 23, 2024
– Good!
The Blue Jays need this. https://t.co/mOSQVmLb18
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) July 23, 2024
– Bravo!
Congratulations to the two Quebecers drafted last week who have just signed their first professional contracts!
Émilien Pitre, 2nd round pick received a $1,522,700 signing bonus from the Rays, while LP Langevin, 4th round pick, received a $597,500 bonus…– Marc Griffin (@marcgriffinRDS) July 23, 2024