I’ve spent most of the season writing about Ivan Demidov. I haven’t ever written about a more highly anticipated prospect. Of course, Montreal Canadiens’ fans were looking forward to the arrivals of Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson in recent years, but the hype wasn’t as significant as the one surrounding the young Russian.

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He’s only played two regular-season games and five playoff tilts, but fans are already inquiring when the last time two Canadiens’ players won the Calder Trophy in a row was. I don’t blame them; the highlights we saw all season long were exciting, and what we’ve seen in his games in the Canadiens’ colours so far has been as well, but it’s always a good idea to manage expectations, just like I wrote about Hutson at the start of the season.

If world events weren’t as they are currently, there is little doubt that Demidov would be playing for Russia in the World Championship. However, since Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine is still going on, the Russians are still persona non grata in international competition.

So, where is Demidov these days? Is he back in Russia? Still getting used to life in Montreal, or has he gone on holiday? According to his wife Katya Yakovleva’s Instagram account, the 19-year-old is enjoying some much-deserved rest under the sun in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Given how damp and grey the weather has been in Montreal this week, it’s hard to blame him. It will be interesting to see if he comes back to town afterwards and joins fellow Canadiens players in the LSHL Living Sisu Pro Hockey League. Captain Nick Suzuki was a regular last Summer, and as players came back to town, they joined him there. If he does, I can see it being sold out week after week, especially since the three-on-three format is perfect for him.

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