The Canadiens May Be Trying To Duplicate What the Flyers Did with Michkov
Ivan Demidov is developing in the KHL.
The Philadelphia Flyers were able to bring rookie forward Matvei Michkov over early. The Flyers made similar trips to Russia and eventually worked out a deal. It sounds like Kent Hughes is trying to work the same magic.
Not to be critical but bringing Vincent Lecavalier instead of a seasoned scout may not be the right move but that’s their choice. Now, is it possible someone else was there and wasn’t identified? Yes, but I would always have a battle-tested scout watching as well.
According to InStat last season, he was averaging 15:35 TOI, six shots per game. 57% of his shots are getting on the net. He is a threat to score with his one-timer or being able to finish a play down low. Demidov gets a ton of power play time, that’s an average of 2:40. He’s only scored one goal from outside the circle so far and he mostly scored from the right side around the net going 5-10 feet out.
This year is different. Demidov is getting less ice time. That’s the difference between playing in the MHL as compared to the KHL. This year his ice time is 11:08. 20 points in 34 games is productive considering the ice time. A big stat is the fact he only has 10 PIMS but has drawn 28 PIMS. That’s great for his team.
After watching him, I see his wrist shot is better, and can score from further out. He has his own skating style but he is faster than last season. The fact that he’s getting 50% of his shots on goal is very good for a rookie.
He has former NHLers on his team. He does the Yevgeni Kuznetzov celly, which is cool. They are teammates. Also, Tony DeAngelo is on the team too. He’s tied for sixth on the team in scoring with Mikhail Grigorenko.
My guess is Montreal was making sure their player is developing and laying the groundwork to possibly get him over at the end of next season. Michkov played two seasons and I think that might be the new normal for these players if you make the deal amenable to the Russian franchise.