Ivan Demidov draws high praise from former NHL player, Alexei Zhamnov.

Recently in an article about the Montreal Canadiens, RG.org writer Daria Tuboltseva got a great quote from retired NHL centre Alexei Zhamnov.

Zhamnov decisively called Ivan Demidov one of the most gifted young players he has ever seen. Throughout his career, Zhamnov played 800-plus NHL games. Since retiring from his playing career in 2005-06, Zhamnov has spent his time in Russia's hockey scene, joining Vityaz Chekhov as the club's general manager in 2006-07.

Zhamnov is currently coaching the KHL's Spartak Moskva, a role he has held for two seasons, after spending 18 seasons in various roles. The former NHL centreman wore many hats - general manager, assistant coach and youth hockey supervisor before getting promoted to head coach. If anybody knows Russian talent, it's Zhamnov.

We see the unorthodox skating style, that allows him to manoeuvre around the ice, and the vision to execute high-IQ passing plays. He is tenacious, and competes hard in all three zones, creating turnovers with timely stick checks, and his low centre of gravity. But the smarts he displays, and his maturity have impressed Zhamnov, who coached Demidov during the KHL all-star festivities.

Zhamnov gives Demidov the stamp of approval, and the fact that he coaches against this player, and he felt the need to talk about him; I think paints a big picture of Ivan Demidov as the person. Demidov is a skilled, talented player with high potential, but his personality is equally important.

Kent Hughes has echoed through the scouting staff the importance of drafting hockey players, that are great human beings. Driven players, who want to make a difference and will work to get to the top. Demidov has played limited minutes for much of his time with SKA St. Petersburg and still manages to lead his team in scoring as a 19-year-old - breaking records along the way.

The next step is a Gagarin Cup, Demidov and SKA are hoping to make a deep run in the KHL playoffs. I think increasing Demidov's ice time would be a wise decision down the stretch, which would help the team, and prepare Demidov for a big playoff series. Getting to see how he fares in higher-stakes games is a great way to measure how cerebral and competitive he is.

The Slafkovsky train continues chugging at practice

During a recent airing of The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, TSN's director of scouting Craig Button was the visitor. The pair immediately discussed the Canadiens, and Marinaro talked about some intel he received from TVA journalist Anthony Martineau. Martineau touched on a conversation he had with Juraj Slafkovsky, relevant to the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Martineau asked Slafkovsky if he had been watching the tournament, and more specifically what he thought about Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. If he thought that Tkachuk could be a guy that Slafkovsky could model his game after. Slafkovsky replied that he just had a meeting with Adam Nicholas (Canadiens director of player development), and Nicholas showed him tape of Tkachuk.

Nicholas reportedly told Slafkovsky during the meeting that he needed to play like Tkachuk if he wanted to be a successful player at his size. On Saturday night he was a menace against the Senators and used his body to defend, forecheck and drive the puck to the net. But Slafkovsky needs to assert himself, shoot the puck and move his feet more consistently.

Slafkovsky was fired up, and feeling good at Canadiens practice after his performance perceivably. I think it's great that he is feeling this way, but it can't be bottled up. The tape of his most recent game should be shown to him, so he can set a standard for himself.

He won't be relied on to score every shot, but being more selfish with the puck is a must. Moving his feet and using his length to poke pucks loose, and win 50/50 puck battles is his specialty. If he can do the fundamental things consistently, that will be when he takes off. I agree with Button that he should look at certain things that both of the Tkachuk's do, and add them to his game.

We love to hate Tkachuk and hate to love him, but we know the impact that the player has on the Senators. But we love Slafkovsky for what he is, so growing his game and adding new habits to it, instead of trying to be Tkachuk is a better use of time. Slafkovsky was drafted by the Habs because he is viewed as the best possible option for the Canadiens in his prime - and for that reason, he needs to remain Slafkovsky.