Hockey

Ivan Demidov: If you want to play in the top-6, go and work with Marc Bureau
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Ivan Demidov: If you want to play in the top-6, go and work with Marc Bureau
Credit: YouTube

The Habs, who played well in their first two games of the season, have had a fairly stable lineup for the past few days, and we don't see why that should change tomorrow night. Here are the trios in question.One of the things we've noticed is that Ivan Demidov isn't getting much playing time. Yesterday, he was the skater Martin St-Louis used the least (12:04) and on Wednesday, only five guys (including Arber Xhekaj) played less than his 13:21. There are circumstances that explain this, including special units. I know Martin St-Louis doesn't want to number his lines under Nick Suzuki's, but it's understood that the line of Kirby Dach, Brendan Gallagher and Zachary Bolduc is the second line, so a third-line player like the Russian is playing less. If he wants to buy himself some playing time ,he'll have to find a way to crack the top-6. And we all agree that Demidov isn't going to get there by unseating Nick Suzuki, the player with the clearest role in the whole organization.And his wingers aren't going anywhere right now either.The way Bolduc is playing, he's going to stay on the top-6. And until proven otherwise, veteran Gallagher isn't lining up to earn himself a demotion. The Habs mustn't break the winning formula they currently have with Gally and Bolduc: that would be a bad idea.And there's… Kirby Dach. Of course ,Demidov doesn't play center. But we're practically saying that if the rookie wants more playing time in the short term, he might as well call up Marc Bureau to practice his face-offs.That would solve the problem of the cursed second center… but the forward isn't comfortable with face-offs. That's always been clear.

I know my statement about him moving to center is a joke, by the way. And I also know that with all the talent Demidov possesses, my title is going to age as poorly as an old milk carton in the fridge, considering that one day (not so far away), he'll be on the top-6 as a winger.After all, he's too talented not to move up to the top-6 soon. #PatienceObviously, Brendan Gallagher won't be on a top-6 forever. And one day, it will be Ivan Demidov who will put his creativity to good use with Bolduc's great scoring talent. It makes too much sense on paper, at least. Since he's not a center (and neither is Bolduc, for that matter), Demidov has to be patient for the time being. But the day the two young players play together, it will be something

'en

– Of note.

– Yes.

– That made me laugh.

– Oh wow.

– Samuel Blais still extra

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