Nikita Zadorov does not understand why the Hawks ignored Ivan Demidov in the draft
Marc-Olivier Cook
Yeah! Ivan Demidov is coming to Montreal!
Many were truly satisfied with the choice of the Montreal organization, and that’s understandable. Demidov was seen even before the draft as a player of great talent, and we’ve seen that since the beginning of the season in the KHL. The Canadiens are lucky to have seen him slide to the 5th selection!
At this level, Nikita Zadorov, who played in Chicago in recent years (2020-2021), does not understand the Hawks’ decision to have overlooked Demidov in the draft.
It doesn’t take anything away from Artyom Levshunov, but he was surprised to see the Hawks select a defenseman when Demidov was still available.
He talked about it during an interview with RG Média:
If I were Chicago, I would have taken him. When you have a player with such natural talent and such a hockey IQ, in my opinion, you take him, and the rest will sort itself out later. – Nikita Zadorov
It’s hard to believe that Zadorov is the only NHL player who thinks this way:
Nikita Zadorov pulls no punches in this exclusive interview! From praising Ivan Demidov to tackling hockey politics, his unfiltered insights are a must-read.
https://t.co/WjsnmhhA4Y
— RG (@TheRGMedia) January 26, 2025
Demidov with Connor Bedard, it seems that would be enough to scare any NHL team… But the team decided to take a different path by improving its defensive corps.
They drafted Levshunov because they had a need, but it’s not like the kid is tearing it up this season in the AHL:

I know, I know…
It can take a while before a defenseman reaches the peak of his potential. But Levshunov’s performance is far from spectacular, and in the meantime, Ivan Demidov is one of the best players in the KHL at only 18 years old…
That said, Bedard would have had a hand quickly with Demidov in the lineup, and that’s where I think they missed out.
Again, Bedard and Demidov in the same lineup would have been frightening…
In Brief
– Things are going well for the Canadiens prospect lately.
#Habs Vinzenz Rohrer with his 12th goal of the season in the National League. pic.twitter.com/EIlgzZvMcZ
— Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) January 26, 2025
– That would be quite a surprise.
Are the Flames making the playoffs this year?
pic.twitter.com/sDMrVRiH93
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 26, 2025
– It’s Kidney’s time to shine.
Riley Kidney will get a great opportunity to showcase himself this afternoon as he takes the place of Rafael Harvey-Pinard on the Rocket’s first line in Providence. Cayden Primeau will get a 3rd start this week and aims for a 7th consecutive win.
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) January 26, 2025
– It’s true that we hardly hear about him anymore.
Once compared to Marc-André Fleury: what has happened to goalie Gabriel D’Aigle?https://t.co/q2t59IAD36
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 26, 2025