Two articles out today have very different explanation about Ivan Demivov's reduced ice time, make of that what you will.
Today, Marco D'Amico of rg.org published an interview with Montreal Prospect's Ivan Demidov's coach with SKA St.Petersburg Roman Rotenberg. The main topic of conversation was the youngster's ice time. In short, the bench boss says his reduced ice time is down to internal competition and that it's normal for younger players to have to fight for ice time. He adds that his decisions must be in the team's best interest.
Meanwhile, TVA Sports' Nicolas Cloutier published an article claiming the youngster is being punished for repeatedly refusing to sign an extension with the KHL club. Citing a source reportedly close to Demidov's entourage.
Cloutier adds that the right winger has received and refused three offers from SKA St. Petersburg and is not interested in staying in the Russian league. One of the offers received was reportedly for two years with a price tag of 40 million roubles (which translates to $560,000 CAD), in addition to a performance bonus as important as the base salary.
I'm not surprised to hear that. After all, Alexander Romanov faced the same treatment after being drafted by the Canadiens in the second round of the 2018 draft. I mentioned that possibility in July, but if it is indeed what's going on, I take no pleasure in being right.
Whatever the explanation or reason, though, one fact remains: Demidov is under contract with SKA until the end of May, and whatever Rotenberg says goes unless the situation takes another turn, which seems doubtful at this stage.
According to Cloutier's source, the talented Russian knew it wasn't going to be an easy year for him. In August, he gave an interview to a local media outlet, in which he said he saw himself as the team's 13th forward.
One thing's for sure: this is not the last time we hear or write about Demidov, but whatever happens, the talent and attack infusion he will bring to the Canadiens will have been worth the wait. Patience, Habs fans. May is after half with around the corner. What's seven months in a hockey player's career?
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