Bogdan Konyushkov talks Ivan Demidov

Montreal Canadiens management took a flier on Russian defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov with the 110th selection in the 2023 NHL Draft.

I expect that Canadiens Director of Scouting, Nick Bobrov watched many of Russia's top prospects, both drafted and draft-eligible. Bobrov reportedly wasn't sold on Matvei Michkov, but he selected Konyushkov in the fourth round of the same draft (2023). It's unclear who else is on the club's radar in Russia, but Konyushkov, and fellow countrymen Demidov continue to carve up KHL ice.

Konyushkov's Torpedo Novgorod Nizhny has matched up against Demidov, and SKA St. Petersburg three times this season. But the next matchup, the final of Demidov's career, will be a great one for Habs fans to catch. Konyushkov knows about Demidov's all-world skills and says that he is happy for his KHL competition's success, and Montreal's excitement for him.

Demidov and Konyushkov will represent their respective clubs at the Fonbet KHL all-star game, coming up on February 8 and 9. It's unclear what Demidov thinks of Konyushkov, but if a fellow journalist were to ask him after the next matchup between SKA and Torpedo, I think it would be interesting to hear his thoughts. Hockey players generally keep close tabs on their competition, and Demidov's game is known, but Konyushkov flies under the radar.

The two potential future teammates will play each other one final time before the end of the KHL regular season on March 22. Konyushkov, 22, is in his third KHL season, and he seems to be having a down year statistically, compared to the previous two seasons (25 points in 64 games, and 28 points in 65 games. I'm not sure if no longer having the captaincy is a factor, but without it, he has scored just 12 points through 52 games.

My A Winning Habit co-site expert Nate Duffett wrote an article about Kent Hughes's trip to Russia with Vincent Lecavalier and Bobrov. In the article, he touched on some quotes; one was interesting from Konyushkov, who said that the club sent him video of an NHL defenseman, conceivably a guy that they feel Konyushkov could learn from and model his game after. I'm not sure what his potential is, but I think NHL top-four defensemen isn't a crazy projection.

Demidov is going to be a KHL one-and-done, but the benefits of drafted players coming over after spending multiple seasons in the top Russian league are obvious. Kirill Kaprizov and Artemi Panarin came over from the NHL, and both players put on a show. Panarin won Rookie of the Year in 2015 as a 24-year-old, and Kaprizov did the same in 2020-2021, as a 23-year-old.

I am not comparing Konyushkov to either of those players, because they are two franchise players. But they were ready-made players added onto the NHL roster and signed to league-minimum three-year entry deals. It was a perfect gift for the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild, to receive a ready-made player in his prime, who just needs to adjust to North American Ice.

Adding free agents is a boost for a club, but adding a player who is unknown in North America, but has been great in the KHL and is in the prime of their career is a massive benefit for an NHL club. I'm not sure if the Habs will target a right-shot defenseman in the upcoming draft, because they have David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux. If the organization is confident in Konyushkov, maybe they will address other areas.

Who could the defenseman footage be of?

When I look through the National Hockey League there are many very talented right-shot defensemen. But without categorizing them into certain pools, it would be awfully difficult to pinpoint, which defender that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton wanted Konyushkov to study up on,

Konyushkov's potential was obviously thought to be unworthy of being selected through the first three rounds in his draft year. He was selected in the fourth round of the draft, and as a double-overager at that (20 years old). I haven't seen comparison's or enough of his game to know his playing style.

But let's assume that he is a third-pairing defender, when/if he comes to Montreal. I think a smart, two-way defenseman, who moves the puck well and defends well if what the Habs need. Someone who can be reliable on the breakout, and defend the rush and front of his net well.

If I were sending some sort of footage for Konyushkov to study, and try to emulate into his game, there are three guys that I would personally pick, and here's who and why.

Having watched Jeff Petry play for the Canadiens, I think a guy like him would be a great right-shot defenseman for him to study. I think decision-making was an issue with Petry, and for that reason, I would pick his skating and smart defensive stick. I believe that Petry did some great things using his vision and strong passing, and his shooting was good.

I could probably throw Alexandre Carrier's name into the conversation, but to keep things fresh I will discuss two further players from outside of the organization.

A player that I enjoy watching, and is roughly the same size profile as Konyushkov is Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames. Andersson is 6'1" and 203 lbs, so an inch taller than Konyushkov and 31 lbs heavier. But the way that Andersson plays is physical, and like somebody bigger than he is.

Andersson pairs great mobility, with a scrappy style, and respectable offensive game to present a great top four defender for the Flames.

The third defender that I think Konyushkov would benefit from watching play is Drew Doughty. I think there are plenty of young defensemen who model their game after Doughty, and why wouldn't they, he is a first-ballot hockey hall-of-famer in the making. Konyushkov would see how you blend chippiness, skill and strong skating dynamics across all three ones.

Doughty is returning from injury, and when the veteran is closer to 100 percent, the Kings have an all-situations elite right-shot defenseman. Though he is now 35, and past his prime, his impact on the blueline is immense (25 mins. per night). I especially believe that he is a great mentor for Kings rookie Brandt Clarke.

If Mailloux, David Reinbacher and Konyushkov all reach their NHL potential, the Canadiens will have a strong defence core. The left side is well stocked with Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble and Adam Engstrom, representing the Habs under-25 talent. The right side is currently veteran-laden, so Mailloux, Reinbacher and Konyushkov are currently the best options to fill the Canadien's top-six group on the blueline.