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Ivan Demidov gives himself at least 6 games to impress the free agents of the NHL
Kevin Vallée
Ivan Demidov gives himself at least 6 games to impress the free agents of the NHL
Credit: Getty Images

In the summer of 2020, Marc Bergevin had “checked” four boxes. In 2025, Kent Hughes only has one box, but it’s huge: finding a center player worthy of the second trio to support Ivan Demidov during his first season in North America.

If Marc said it was almost impossible to acquire a center, Hughes is officially taking on the task.

We’ve known for a few months that it will be a big challenge. That being said, Demidov’s arrival could help his new boss by making the Canadiens more attractive to players who will be free agents in July.

I explain. An apartment on Marketplace is more interesting when it’s already furnished, right? It’s a bit the same principle.

It’s one thing to imagine a 19-year-old Russian offensive star flying over the ice in the iconic blue, white, and red uniform at the Centre Bell, but it’s another to see him with our own eyes and know he’s there.

By freeing himself from his contract in the KHL and offering what seems to be a minimum of 6 games with the Habs (2 in the regular season and 4 in the playoffs), Ivan Demidov is giving himself a chance to impress and convince coveted centers in the NHL to have fun with him in 2025-2026.

Do you want to be paid millions of dollars to score points with a young star in one of the biggest markets in the league? Come to Montreal. Seller, no?

Imagine if, in addition, Martin St-Louis’ men exceed expectations in the playoffs… And psst! We haven’t even talked about the imminent Calder winner, Lane Hutson.

This theory applies to Sidney Crosby, who wouldn’t be crazy to imagine a world where he joins the current Canadiens core. However, it could also apply to Matt Duchene, John Tavares, Sam Bennett, and Mikael Granlund, who are perhaps more realistic names for Canadiens fans who are used to being told to stop dreaming.

No one knows the plans of the management team for the offseason, but it seems evident to me that one of the most concrete impacts of the Russian’s arrival in Montreal is directly related to the attractiveness of the market for players across the league.


Overtime

– Martin Lemay is also dreaming.

– Ovy trolls Sorokin!

– Gauthier to Syracuse.

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