Kent Hughes reveals a big secret about Ivan Demidov

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Elias Edmonson
June 29, 2024 (6:34 PM)

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After the first round of the 2024 draft, Montreal Canadiens General Manager, Kent Hughes, emptied his bag in a press conference

After playing the game for weeks, he finally gave his true opinion on the young Ivan Demidov, and we were pleased to learn that there were never any doubts in the minds of the Canadiens' management.

It was always Demidov.

Elliotte Friedman: "The rumor is that you've long coveted Ivan Demidov, is that true?"

Kent Hughes: "Very true."

- An unequivocal response from Hughes, via HabsOnReddit

The Montreal Canadiens Have Always Loved Ivan Demidov

We are so happy to hear that.

Kent Hughes even added that the interview with Demidov was possibly the best he has ever done.

But that's not all.

The Canadiens' GM revealed a little secret about the real reason for his famous absence (as well as that of Jeff Gorton) at Ivan Demidov's "Combine" in Florida.

An absence that had sparked a lot of chatter.

Kent Hughes explained that the reason he and Jeff Gorton didn't go to Florida to meet Demidov was that they didn't want to show how much they liked him. The meeting in Vegas was good enough and Demidov only solidified his place among them thanks to that interview. - Arpon Basu

Wow! They wanted him so much, and they were so convinced, that they pretended not to be too interested in Demidov, notably by not attending his "Combine" and meeting in Florida.

They did everything to hide their enormous interest in Ivan Demidov.

It's brilliant, and we love it!

What an incredible acquisition for the Montreal Canadiens.