Ivan Demidov is looking to be EXACTLY what Montreal needed! What are YOUR thoughts on Demidov's game? And how good do YOU see him being for Montreal? Let us know!! #GravGang
@@patrickgoulet8170 ya I don’t think there’s any Habs fan out there that’s gonna call out for or expect a New GM after this season regardless of where they finish
Nick Bobrov is such a GOAT man. Insane asset to have him in your organisation, AND his list of contacts (SKA sure, but there is sooo much more than that man). I have no doubt that we'll get other Eastern Euros players that will want to play in MTL.
All you have to do is trust Nick Bobrov. He is the head of scouting for Eastern Europe. His father works for SKA so he has inside knowledge of what is going on in Russia. He made several trips to Russia to talk to Demidov and his parents and it went well from what rumors have said. Remember Michkov played for SKA like Demidov and Bobrov did the exact same thing. Traveled to Russia to talk to Michkov and his parents. For whatever reason Bobrov got the wrong vibe with Michkov and didn't value him that high. So Montreal passed on him. What did happen is that Montreal did draft two Russian prospects in Bogdan Konyushkov a Right shooting defenseman who is on the top pair for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and plays like 30 minutes a night. The next prospect is a goaltender in 6'3'' Yevgeni Volokhin who this recent season had stats very reminiscent of a young Andrei Vasilevskiy. This year Montreal drafts another two Russians in Ivan Demidov and Makar Khanin who they are calling Demidov Light. We'll see about the second part but I trust Nick Bobrov and his knowledge of what is going on in Russia, especially in SKA.
@@warrenjonah2375 Wtf are you talking about? This is not just about what Bobrov thinks as a scout. Pretty much EVERYONE in hockey circles agrees that Ivan Demidov is going to become a great player. No one thought that about Kravtsov. Time to wake up and deal with reality dude.
Except demidov did not play for SKA last year. Demidov got sent DOWN from the KHL to the league BENEATH the KHL last year. This upcoming year will be his FIRST full year in the KHL. demidov missed out on a whole year of development at a high level last year. its announced he will play this FULL season in the KHL......but then he may not come to the NHL right away. He may go from the KHL.....to the AHL for a year since he missed out on a year of development. Thats why demidov slid in the draft.....because he may not hit the NHL for 2+years depending on how things go.
@@albertvanular433 they also said that demidov is a year behind in his development because he played in the SECOND TIER hockey league in russia last year. This upcoming season will be demidovs FIRST full year in the KHL. Because he missed out on a FULL YEAR of development at a HIGH level.....theyre saying he might not go to the NHL right away, After his contracts up in the KHL.....he may goto the AHL for a year BEFORE he hits the NHL. Depending on how things go.....habs fans might not see him put on a habs jersey for 2+ years
He would have been the CHL mvp and would have scored well over 2 ppg.. The MHL is thougher to rack up points (no Bedard wouldn't have put 3 ppg in the MHL)
I do agree, it’s hard to find a player comparison for Demidov, but he is reminiscent of one of my favorite players to watch growing up, Alexei Kovalev. It’s exciting to potentially have a duo that looks like Kovalev and Bergeron in Demidov and Suzuki. Demidovs ability to handle the puck, combined with his offensive awareness and passing can end up being a complete game changer for the Habs, and now imagine all the other prospects with unique attributes that can make them such a fun team to watch.
Alex "where's my money and I will play hard every 5th game" Kovalev? Alex "I had hall of fame talent but no desire other than my next payday" Kovalev? That guy? I didn't know so many hab fan had such knowledge about a player from the MHL (and I thought my sports package was pretty extensive).
Hage is also a steal that is overshadowed by the Demidov pick. Lots of Habs fans were disappointed Eiserman didnt fall one more spot, but Hage has a much higher floor and a similar ceiling. I see a lot of Jordan Kyrou in him.
…except Arpon Basu who said months ago that Montreal have had interest in Demidov for a very very long time. Something confirmed by Hughes and Bobrov after the draft.
Montreal is building something special, they already got lots of good pieces at the NHL level. Suzuki, Caufield, Slafovsky, Dach, Newhook, Montembeault, Guhle, etc. And a solid propsect pool of guys like Demidov, Hage, Mailloux, Hutson, Reinbacher, a goalie prospect in Fowler. This team is going to be insane I have no doubt.
Chantal Machabée is a media genius. She comments when necessary. She leaves the smoke screens at the right time. Even teaches lessons to the sometimes impatient ch fan.
So are Alex Galchenyuk and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. They should light it up in Montreal this year. Oh and look out for Nikita, McCarron and Ryan Poehling. An embarrassment of riches suiting up this year.
Amazing video, I honestly just want Dach to stay healthy this season no matter what happens. It's so frustrating seeing him get injured 2 seasons in a row. Should we be worried abut how injury prone a guy like him is?
I'm wondering, because I'm pretty sure almost everyone was penciling Demidov to Montreal and when they predicted someone else, it was because Demidov was going somewhere in their top-4. Maybe I'm remembering wrong?
The Demidov to Montreal stuff was largely "Montreal could really use a player like that", and writers worked backwards from there. He was regarded as a top-2 prospect and it was thought that he would go top 2 unless the stars aligned. Align they did, I guess.
@@jacp5628 All I'm saying is that Graviteh is saying (around 4min) that the media weren't talking much about Demidov as the real focus, which I completely disagree. There was a lot of report that Montreal really wanted him and crossed their fingers that he would be available at 5. Almost all the mock drafts had him with Montreal, and those who didn't pencil him with them had him somewhere else in the top-4. Like you said, the talks were either "they want him" or "he won't be available anyway". That's VERY different from the Reinbacher pick that was a bit more surprising, or even the Slafkovsky one where almost everyone was sure that Wright was the pick (up until 2-3 days before the draft).
@@matrixisreal2023 Barely any exposure to scouts because of Russia's situation with Ukraine. Also, Ducks were high on Levshunov so Hawks had to take him and tried to trade up to 4th to also get Demidov but Jackets wanted Lindstrom so they didn't want to give up their pick.
I'd much rather have a 6"2 210lbs RD than an other 5"10 teen on offense. Anyway, if the Habs drafted Michkov last year, they would have drafted an RD this year because it would still be a need, like why is so though to comprehend?! So it's one or the other and I'd take the 6"1 192lbs fisty dog (or grown man) that skates after the opposition to get the puck like there's no tommorrow, has glowing charisma and positive confidence like you rarely see than a 110% offensive talent small arrogant kid...
It always bothers me how some Americans say "Montreal". It's like they are pronouncing the "Mon" in the word "monster", instead of saying it like the "Mon" in the word "money". I know the french way of saying it is more like "Moreal". But saying it in english should sound more like "Munt-real" than "Mon-treal". Just doesn't sound right to me lol
tu viens du Québec? I speak English and French and usually adjust the pronunciation depending on the language. It sounds odd to say “I’m going to ‘Mon’réal’” to anglophones; just like how it’s strange to say « J’vais à Mawn-tree-all » quand je parle avec des francophones.
Apparently if he's sent back to the MHL Habs are honn try and get him out of his contract to come play in Laval. SKA may consider it since his contract is only 1 year anyway
Except.... Utah knew that when Iginla was there at 5 that he'd slip to 6. And - the Blackhawks knew Demidov was Montreal's guy and tried to trade for #4 to beat them to the punch. Elliotte Friedman confirmed that everyone knew if you wanted Demidov, you had to get a pick before the Habs.
what worries me about the habs is in the playoff's play became alot tighter. two years in a row the cup winning team play stifling defense. and as kent hughes said he wants up tempo offensive hockey i personnaly dont think with that mentallity they will get very far in said playoffs. so if the ways teams won cups carries over into the regular season then the habs will struggle again. Im just a hockey fans but its gonna be hard for them. thank you for the video
Reinbacher wasn't out of no where... Kotkaniemi was. Reinbacher was a sure thing from Day One. Godd Right defence was and still is scarce that why we took Reinbacher PLUS talent-wise he was more effective than Seider in 2 zones out of three when seider was playing for Mannheim. Seider got selected 6th overall but was sloted between 12 and 15th ov in his draft. same as Chicago picking Levshunov right defenceman sloted 4th overall but was taken second.
Should probably watch what Habs scouts had to say before you just make things up lol. They were in on Demidov since his draft -1. They were 100% going into Vegas with him circled as their guy.
I doubt Montreal used the media at all this draft we all knew Demidov was going to be there at 5 and the media would have no impact on that. Its not like another team is going to draft him just because Montreal wanted him. They definitely used it in the Slafkovsky/Wright draft to try and gain assets by trading down but in such an open draft you really dont need to use the media for anything nobody had a clue where most players would go
@@Just_a_Man780 it's possible I just think in this draft it really didn't matter they definitely tried it with the Slafkovsky/Wright draft and it almost worked for them to trade down to 2nd get better assets and still get Slafkovsky who was their guy but this draft everyone knew they wanted Demidov it wasn't a secret so they can do that in the media but everyone already knew they wanted Demidov so it's just a waste of time if they were actually trying that
It's clearly the marks of the new management, bc Montréal in the last decade or two never went for the big russians names. I was (happily) shocked that they went passed the ''russian''' factor.
Just out of curiosity, did Montréal have scouts in Russia watching this guy? I don't know if NHL scouts are even allowed in Russia and if they are was there any watching MHL games? I know most teams like having scouts at the games and if they weren't how was he scouted, online? I think Demidov is going to be a great player but not having physical scouts at the games and having to rely on strictly video does make it a little more risky IMO.
Nick Bobrov. He’s head of Eastern Europe scouting and he personally scouts many of their players from that region. I believe he even met Demidov’s family before the draft.
Yes Bobrov met with Demidov and his family multiple times actually, They had dinners together and Demidov said they actually became pretty close… This was actually Demidov’s main destination to come to he wanted Montreal above any other team…
*Alright I'm sick of it but let's end this debate.* First, if the Habs drafted Michkov (imagine he wanted to play in MTL even if he didn't..), we couldn't have drafted Demidov this year because we would still have a massive need on the right side of the defense and D's take longer to developp (no Barron won't be a top 4 in the Habs jersey). So Michkov this year and Parekh or Yakemchuk? No thanks, I'd rather have a D that plays defense. Next, would you rather have a 6"2 210lbs highly rated and physically mature RD that had one of the best season ever in Swiss-A (a pro league) as a 18 year old than an other 5"10 kid on an already smallish offense? So it's Demidov or Michkov, can't have both if you want to start contending in 1-2 years. Imo, I'd take the 6"1 192lbs crazy talented fisty dog (or grown man, you chose) that skates after the opposition to get the puck like his life depends on it, has glowing aura and a positive confidence like you rarely see over a tiny 110% offensively minded and arrogant kid who's been tagged as a locker room cancer... Michkov dosen't fit the system imo, Demidov does because he's a two way winger who's though to play against! Remember how Caufield had to make a 180 defensively last year and had to stop only thinking about goals.. Clearly, Kent Hughes has a crystal ball... Reinbacher as the best Dman of his draft + Demidov as the best offensive talent of his draft and both have great size! 💪 Or Michkov and Yakemchuk/Parekh?? You decide but to me, it shouldn't even be a debate because it would have been more like Leonard + Parekh and don't forget to add 1-2 rebuilding years to that VS what we luckily got now... 😬
Yup, players on their last contract year cant be loaned in the KHL, so its SKA or MHL for Demidov and SKA is stacked with vets + they traditionnally dont give much play time to rookies. Michkov couldnt even get a shot for 2 years. Another year in the MHL would be a waste of time and the Habs front office knows it.
So if Suzuki is already being compared to Patrice Bergeron, could Demidov have the offensive upside of David Pastrnak? Who would be Montreal's Brad Marchand, then? :-)
I wonder if Cole Caufield isn’t feeling like the luckiest player on the team having signed his contract before this draft? In retrospect, I wonder if Hughes would have given Cole the same contract if he knew he was going to get Dimidov?
I think Caufield still has his place in the Habs top 7. Suzuki, CC and Slaf taking decent contracts instead of trying to cash in during their prime have made it easier for Hughes to fit this potential superstar in the mix.
As a Habs fan, it's still hard for me to take this team seriously with guys like Gallagher, Anderson, Armia and Dvorak still on the roster. It's insane how it's been 3 years and we're still stuck with Bergevin's dumb decisions. I just cannot wait for that day to come when they're all gone.
Completely agree, Gallagher is just washed. Provides no speed which is the game Montreal needs to start playing and they did well on that this year. Andersson can't score to save his life but has all the tools he needs. Dvorak is just another injury prone guy that will always be a bottom a 6. I agree they need to ship all of those guys out and let the young guns get some time in the chel. Us Habs fans still shouldn't expect a playoff run for another 2 years I feel like but it's not impossible after next year. I love the direction we are heading in though, I don't think it could be any better since Gorton and Hughes have came
Gallagher, Anderson and Armia are exactly what Montreal need until the young guys come up. They won't provide any real scoring, will most likely be traded for 2nd-3rd round picks (depending on how well they play) and then pave to way to another top 10 pick, most likely the last one.
@@philipcollard23 yeah dont get me wrong, i definitely love our new management. armia, dvorak and evans have one more season. thats 3 spots for some new players next summer.
@@kevinpelletierdeslauriers7709 yeah that's a good point. We could get a good return around the trade deadline for teams that want depth. Didn't really look at it that way, looked at it more in the way of developing the younger players faster
Offense is still my biggest concern, it seems a lot of Habs fans think this is the year, they are going to make a run for the playoffs, we have the EXACT same team we had last year! lol, exactly. They still need to add someone who can put the puck in the net, and hopefully they do it before the start of preseason. Demidov is going to be a stud for sure, ive been watching highlights of him for months and i cant get enough!
@samkoivu so that's under the impression habs have no injuries this year...can you guarantee that? no players take steps back? habs can improve 10 pts and still finish in the the bottom 10.
@@moviereelnewsI see pretty much the same scenario for this coming year. I prefer us to draft again at least 8th, preferably 5th. Then i think the rebuild will be pretty much completed after that.
@@tylerpalmer8136 so common sense check, why would they sign him to a one way contract only to send him down and have him clear waivers? Why even bother sighing him?
@@davidrmouck5608 Chicago sucked when they drafted Toews. I can list off a lot of teams that sucked at one point and rebuilt. Celebrini can be a part of that
@@davidrmouck5608you realize that literally every team that has won a cup sucked at some point, panthers sucked for years and they won, edmonton was horrible for a long time and got to the finals
@@Canucksnate Honestly, it doesn't even matter to me if they can't win a cup. I'm happy with our 24 Stanley cups. Instead of calling the most historic franchise trash, you should worry about your own team not even having a Stanley cup.
