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Ivan Demidov file: “I have never seen such enthusiasm”
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Ivan Demidov file: “I have never seen such enthusiasm”
Credit: They already told me that following the puck in hockey means you’re not following the game. And on that topic, last night’s evening is probably the ultimate proof that this phrase is true. After all, yesterday, the game was at Toronto’s airport. Several media outlets, including DansLesCoulisses, were on site to film Ivan Demidov’s first […]
They already told me that following the puck in hockey means you’re not following the game. And on that topic, last night’s evening is probably the ultimate proof that this phrase is true.

After all, yesterday, the game was at Toronto’s airport.

Several media outlets, including DansLesCoulisses, were on site to film Ivan Demidov’s first steps on Canadian soil since he signed his entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

 

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I look at the pictures collected by DLC and I tell myself that yesterday, we followed the game.

Ivan Demidov clearly enjoyed the crowd, smiling as he saw the fans present on site. Everything went smoothly, as can be seen in the images circulating.

In fact, even if the events took place in Toronto, the way it unfolded was very “Montreal”: no overflow, everything went well… and we can see that the passion is unmatched.

Whether it’s our images, those of the Sick Podcast, or those of other people present on site, Demidov’s actions have been all over social media en masse.

It surprised a lot of people… including those in Toronto.

The people at Sportsnet using DLC’s images when they just had to go to the airport next to the station? Darren Dreger being condescending towards Montreal, probably used to the fact that only suits can afford to buy tickets to see the Maple Leafs?

Yesterday, the city of Toronto was not as ready for Demidov as Montreal… even if the people who follow hockey there know that Demidov is the best player in the world who has not yet played in the NHL. And this showed how special the market is here.

And I say “special” in the good sense, because the people who follow the Canadiens were hungry. They were hungry for the guy who, rightly or wrongly, is expected to bring the club to the next level.

Am I going to use the term “savior” here? No, but…

After years of rebuilding, it finally feels like playoff hockey in Montreal. And Demidov’s arrival (which is creating a buzz that Gilbert Delorme, as he said this morning on BPM Sports during Renaud Lavoie’s column, has never seen around the Habs) adds to it even more.

It doesn’t mean the Habs will win in the first round, in a series that will likely see Montreal face Washington. But it means that the guys in the locker room can believe it, which is the basis in sports.

I imagine it won’t stop the NHL from putting Toronto’s games in prime time compared to the Habs’ games in the playoffs… because it’s important that everyone sees the Maple Leafs choke in the first round again.


Overtime

– Ah yes?

– Habs prospect: Sam Harris eliminated in the NCAA. [TVAS]

– Alexander Nikishin against Ivan Demidov on Wednesday at the Bell Centre?

– As long as we’re dreaming.

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