Ivan Demidov will bring back the Russian excitement factor

The Montreal Canadiens have been fortunate to employ some talented Russian players over the years.

Alex Kovalev and Andrei Markov come to mind, as the most recent players who were impactful for the Habs and they electrified the fanbase. Kovalev did so with his strength, excellent vision his shifty skating and otherwordly puck skills. Markov, operated from the blueline like a general, using his vision, great anticipation and brilliant passing skills to set up many goals.

Some picks didn't work out and trades with picks that brought in other players. The Mikhail Sergachev trade didn't work out well, while the Alexander Romanov one leans positive, though Kirby Dach needs to stay healthy. Then there's Nikita Scherbak, whose junior hockey days were the peak of his hockey success unfortunately.

Montreal received some flack for passing up the chance to draft Matvei Michkov at the 2023 draft, opting to select David Reinbacher. The past is the past and Reinbacher will likely end up being exactly what the Habs need and Michkov exactly what Philadelphia needs. But Montreal just didn't have interest in Michkov and I don't think the Russian factor had anything to do with.

Ivan Demidov

Just to follow up on the comment about the Russian factor - being the geopolitical issues - Montreal didn't select Michkov because he isn't the guy that they wanted. Nick Bobrov has intel over in Russia, which helped him to scout Ivan Demidov and there is no reason to believe that Bobrov had no idea about Michkov's development in Russia. Demidov was the guy that they wanted; Kent Hughes put it plainly.

There is already an astronomical amount of excitement surrounding Demidov, it wouldn't surprise me if TVA and RDS broadcast his KHL games this upcoming season. Since Kovalev graced the Habs ice and made the opposition look silly, I don't believe there has been a player who is as skilled as Demidov.

Montreal has been building up a contender that will be competitive for many years to come. Comments about the team lacking star power and the prospect pool having no potential superstar have run rampant. But things seem to have shifted, fans are a little more at ease with Demidov and Michael Hage added in the first round of the 2024 draft. I didn't forget about Lane Hutson either.