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The SKA would not have offered a contract to Demidov since last June
Marc-Olivier Cook
The SKA would not have offered a contract to Demidov since last June
Credit: Ivan Demidov was already part of the SKA Saint-Petersburg organization when the Canadiens selected him in the last NHL draft. We knew he was going to play in Russia this season because he was already under contract in the KHL. But his goal was to come play in North America as soon as possible. The […]
Ivan Demidov was already part of the SKA Saint-Petersburg organization when the Canadiens selected him in the last NHL draft.

We knew he was going to play in Russia this season because he was already under contract in the KHL.

But his goal was to come play in North America as soon as possible. The SKA gave him that permission by releasing him, which allowed the Canadiens’ prospect to sign his entry-level contract with the NHL, yesterday.

This doesn’t mean the SKA didn’t try to keep him.

In fact… the SKA asked Demidov in June, during the draft, if he was interested in signing a contract extension with the club.

Demidov said no because he wanted to play for the Montreal Canadiens.

And according to his agent, Dan Milstein, who spoke to Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic), the SKA respected the player’s decision to the point of not making him any new offers during the season.

But they (the SKA executives) were so loyal that they never came to propose another contract to him all year long. – Dan Milstein

Dan Milstein also recalls that in Russia, things are done differently when a young player is in a situation like Demidov’s.

But instead of punishing him for not wanting to sign – like several other clubs would have done -, the SKA decided to listen to Demidov’s dream of playing in the NHL.

Is Dan Milstein saying this to protect his relationship with the SKA? Maybe.

But in fact, Roman Rotenberg was so flattering towards the young player that it really seems like I believe this story.

The SKA knew it didn’t have to insist with the player because it knew his intentions.

The executives knew he wanted to leave to play in the NHL and they took advantage of the fact that he was still with the organization to use him this season in the KHL.

And ultimately, it worked because it was Demidov who brought the club to the playoffs even if he didn’t play much.

He finished the season as the top scorer on the team and he was the team’s offensive engine.

The SKA may have lost in the first round of the playoffs… but again, it’s hard to blame Demidov for that because he finished the playoffs with five points (three goals) in just six games.

All’s well that ends well, then.


Overtime

– It’s official: Demidov will wear #93.

– I’m looking forward to seeing him go.

– Good news.

– Bang!

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