Ivan Demidov Selection Draws Explosive Social Media Reactions
By Nate Duffett
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The Montreal Canadiens demoralized fans last season when they skipped over Matvei Michkov with the fifth-overall draft selection. Everyone was on edge for the 2024 NHL Draft, as the Canadiens looked poised to have another opportunity to take an elite Russian winger. Ivan Demidov fell to the Canadiens at pick five, and this time they didn't pass on a chance at taking the next great Russian scoring machine.
As you can expect, the Canadiens fans went wild over the pick, as a year of pent-up emotion over the Matvei Michkov snub was let out in celebration. Will Ivan Demidov come to North America and prove everyone right who wanted the Habs to draft him? The chances are looking good once his KHL contract ends, as Demidov was also excited.
Ivan Demidov on IG: “Dream come true…the best is yet to come.” pic.twitter.com/KpYTXstoRE
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 29, 2024
#Habs Ivan Demidov interview on TVA Sports:
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) June 29, 2024
"I'm really happy to be a Montreal Canadiens player"
He also added that his favourite player growing up was Alex Kovalev. #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey @RocketSports pic.twitter.com/70Kxg0M5b0
Social media wouldn't be the entertainment it is without some comedy mixed in with the posts, as @HabsOnReddit used with the legendary Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal meme.
Ivan Demidov & Juraj Slafkovsky playing together for the Habs one day pic.twitter.com/KRiCWLzcc5
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 29, 2024
Sportsnet didn't help in quelling the excitement, as they labeled the Habs as huge winners for their draft selections and Demidov as the second-best drafted player. Todd Matthews also believes the Montreal Canadiens were the big winners in the first round.
Sportsnet:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 29, 2024
“Ivan Demidov, the 2nd best player in the draft. Arguably 1B [to Celebrini], he’s right there. I just love the pick. With Michael Hage, even more offense. They’ve added character, scoring, drive up front. The Habs are huge winners tonight, massive step forward.” pic.twitter.com/NANQZZL6FK
The Hockey News' Matt Larkin also showed Demidov's excitement, and compared him to Habs legend Guy Lafleur.
ICYMI:
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) June 29, 2024
I'm honestly not sure I've ever seen a prospect more excited on his draft day than Ivan Demidov. He was quivering with joy.
On his potential to someday be the #GoHabsGo's first scoring champion since Guy Lafleur:https://t.co/UStEwiSIs3 pic.twitter.com/q44DkUR9f1
How's this for a potential PP1 combination in Montreal? Lane Hutson will need a year or two of development for the pro game, which will match up perfectly with Demidov's debut in North America. Hutson and Demidov better get accustomed to each other, as they could be starring together with the Canadiens for a long time.
Lane Hutson 🤝 Ivan Demidov#GoHabsGo | #RepêchageLNH | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/jR4U7dr3yd
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 29, 2024
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