Ivan Demidov on the verge of following in Matvei Michkov's footsteps?

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Aaron
July 29, 2024 (6:50 PM)

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It's safe to say that the arrival of Ivan Demidov with the Montreal Canadiens is greatly pleasing the team's fans.

Many of them are eagerly anticipating seeing the young Russian prospect don the tricolour uniform.

However, we all expect the Canadiens' first-round pick in the last draft to play the next season with SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL, with whom he has a one-season agreement, and if all goes as planned, he should be in Montreal for the 2025-2026 season.

Ivan Demidov with the Montreal Canadiens this season just like Matvei Michkov with the Philadelphia Flyers?

However, as reported by the Marqueur website, there is a real possibility that Demidov could arrive in Montreal as early as this fall.

During a recent episode of The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, journalist Stu Cowan made a very interesting statement, suggesting that if Demidov does not secure a spot in the KHL, it would be more favorable for SKA to let the forward join the Canadiens.

In fact, some experts are questioning whether the 18-year-old prospect will be able to secure a position with SKA Saint Petersburg because head coach Roman Rotenberg tends to favor veterans, including a certain Evgeny Kuznetsov who recently signed with the team.

Here's what Stu Cowan had to say about the situation:

«Kent Hughes said after the draft that it would be good for his development to play a season in the KHL before coming to Montreal. However, Kent Hughes mentioned that it wouldn't be desirable for Demidov to be sent to juniors for another year, and if that's the case, the team will look at its options.

One of those options is to negotiate a contract buyout to bring him here earlier, like the Flyers did with Michkov.

From Saint Petersburg's perspective, they are going to lose him for nothing next year, so is it more interesting for them to play him for a season or negotiate a contract buyout and receive a sum of money?»

Indeed, this option could be interesting for the Russian team because instead of losing Demidov for nothing in a year, the team could at least receive some money from the Canadiens to buy out his KHL contract, as was the case with Matvei Michkov and the Philadelphia Flyers.

These comments could excite the most optimistic Canadiens fans!

Credit: Marqueur
Ivan Demidov avec le Canadien de Montréal? Il y a du nouveau