Zach Jarom: Prospect Spotlight Series: Ivan Demidov

NO

Artyom Levshunov has the most upside of the defenders. He is pretty smartand able at his position, just not "complete" enough to be ready to play in a NHL pair with dominant success (yet).
Sam ****inson is poorer at tracking attacking plays and in his offense he is no where near as much consistency in creating quality looks. Playing with London helps him off the hook b/c others can do it there.
You can’t really say he’ll be a No. 1 defenceman the way he sees the ice. Will he play a style similar to Miro H. but he isn't a shut down defender, and he is not a legimate offensivce guy either.
Being a bigger kid who skates so darn well, he has een able to use his feet and just get away from the average sized guy. There are hockey sense concerns on both O & D and that might be what separates him from being a good defender and a dominent defender.

Teams might differ in their opinions but they do know hesitations, missed opportunities in a player's carries enough to see the differences.

If I had more time I would have you pick a draft year and I would pull the Hockey News Draft issue and show you a litany of poor mocks by Ryan Kennedy there...
- wiz1901

From watching all the video of the top 15 draft eligible players i could, as a gm i go a different route 2nd OA i go who has the lowest floor, i personally draft Silyaev, if Silyaev wants to play here has a work ethic and is coachable. He's my #2 pick.

I just can't resist drafting someone who plays really good defense already and skates like Roman Josi.

Oh yea and he's a giant on skates.

I do have to correct one thing in this:

No prospect has improved their draft value this past season more than Demidov.

That is actually not true. Demidov was considered top 3 talent in McKenzie´s pre season rankings and so on. Demidov was MHL´s mvp in 22-23 season too.

I do have to correct one thing in this:



That is actually not true. Demidov was considered top 3 talent in McKenzie´s pre season rankings and so on. Demidov was MHL´s mvp in 22-23 season too.
- MjulQvist

Beckett Sennecke seems to have risen the most this draft. He wasn’t even in the discussion in the first or second round last year. All season his stock has gone up and in some draft lists he’s in the top 10.

I think you build from the back end out. You can buy a forward to play with Bedard but really good defensemen are hard to find.

The Blackhawks took Artyom Levshunov out to dinner last week. Even before hearing that, picking him was starting to seem like a foregone conclusion.

That being said, I would prefer Dedimov. Just incredible handles, vision and patience gives me Patrick Kane vibes

Paul after seeing them both a lot, who would you take between Ritchie or Sennecke?

Damn EJ Emery and Sam D!ckinson less that 4% body fat, they must be a couple of gym rats.

Bill Daly says the feedback he’s got back from most GMs is a desire to tweak the current LTIR rules as it relates to not having a salary cap in the playoffs. Daly isn’t sure they can tweak that with the NHLPA before the end of the current CBA in 2 years. But it’s on the NHL’s radar.

Per Pierre LeBrun

Seems to be turning more and more to the Demy or Levy pick for Chicago. Unless KD surprises us. I would bet no trading the pick but maybe KD tries to move up from # 18

Paul after seeing them both a lot, who would you take between Ritchie or Sennecke?
- Black Raven

Right now Cal Ritchie but he’s a year older and didn’t have to deal with an insane growth spurt. Two years ago Sennecke was 5’10”, at the beginning of this season he was 6’2 and there are reports he’s now 6’4 but skinny as a rail. And the fact Sennecke didn’t look like a newborn deer after shooting up like that is amazing. But it’s hard to get a real read because Ritchie was injured last season so it’s difficult to compare them in their draft year. My guess is Ritchie will become the better player because he’s a slightly better skater and he’s got better hockey sense.

Actually hockey prospecting has Silayev ranked 22nd? So I'm sure he'll be there at 18. NFW. His birthday is later as well.

solid list here they've got Lindstrom at 12.

https://twitter.com/Byron...-MH7sKC-1WdFVzJjU-aA&s=19

https://twitter.com/Hocke...AsOd-BJB0FwLQbhZF1Yg&s=19

Here's another link explaining the Demidov situation, it's crazy all these view points, supposed orgs think he's going to be a slider come draft day

I do have to correct one thing in this:



That is actually not true. Demidov was considered top 3 talent in McKenzie´s pre season rankings and so on. Demidov was MHL´s mvp in 22-23 season too.
- MjulQvist

And dominated the playoffs. What some may not be aware of in regards to the MHL playoffs, teams do sprinkle VHL and in some cases, KHL player on their teams.

Paul after seeing them both a lot, who would you take between Ritchie or Sennecke?
- Black Raven

Sennecke will be gone top 15


He is a real offensive generator --- played defense before he was a forward and is big.

He is NOT a physical power wing, but an offensive guy.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts

Sennecke will be gone top 15


He is a real offensive generator --- played defense before he was a forward and is big.

He is NOT a physical power wing, but an offensive guy.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts
- wiz1901

He is tall, he’s not big. He’s a bean pole.

From last Blog, catching up didn't realize there was a new one up;


Buium is Jewish and Connolly retweeted a swastika on his social media account.
- paulr


I really hate the fact that even someone in their young teens makes a mistake, apologizes of it, and is branded for life.

Did he go something stupid? He did. He apologized for it, and doing things to help right what he did wrong. Obviously i'm not there and don't know the real truth, but think the kid deserves at least a 2nd chance.

Hopefully a team has the balls to take him, and I hope he thrives never does anything like this again, and can make the other 31 teams kick themselves for not giving him a chance.

Thank god none of this stuff was around in my 20s and 30s let alone my mid teens....

I'd probably be in one of those goolags that all the Russian players who want to play in the NHL keep getting thrown in.

He is tall, he’s not big. He’s a bean pole.
- paulr

"Projectable hockey frame"

But I agree. Drives me nuts when some 6'3 185 lb kid is listed as big.

And dominated the playoffs. What some may not be aware of in regards to the MHL playoffs, teams do sprinkle VHL and in some cases, KHL player on their teams.
- Elbows15

Montreal NHL Athletic:
It seems at least somewhat probable that Russian phenom Ivan Demidov could be available for the Canadiens at No. 5, but if that happens, there is some question as to whether they would take him there, depending on who else is available, namely Medicine Hat Tigers centre Cayden Lindstrom.

In the unlikely event both of them survive through the first four picks, I would guess (and it is just that, a guess) that the Canadiens would lean toward taking Lindstrom (more on that in a bit). If just one of Lindstrom or Demidov is available at No. 5, that makes the decision somewhat easier for the Canadiens.
There is a lot to like about Lindstrom, and I do believe the Canadiens like him a lot. The athleticism, the size, the power, the speed, the hands — it’s all there. There is some concern over his health, but if that checks out, I don’t think the Canadiens have too many questions.

There are a lot of questions about Demidov, though.

From a strictly hockey standpoint, the Canadiens recognize Demidov has game-breaking qualities they lack in the organization. But there is some doubt about whether his style would translate well to playoff hockey in the NHL. We were given the comparisons of David Pastrnak and Mitch Marner having some difficulty in the playoffs this year. Demidov is also not a perfect skater and does not have ideal size — though there is a belief he is bigger than his listed 5-foot-11 — but his compete and the consistency in his production are seen as pluses. And the fact that production came in the MHL is not ideal, but Demidov played in the top division of the MHL and maintained his production against both strong and weak opponents, on top of exploding in the playoffs.

But more than the strict hockey questions are the ones surrounding his status in Russia.

Demidov has one year left on his contract with SKA Saint Petersburg, which sounds like good news. But it complicates Demidov’s situation in several ways.

First off, if Demidov doesn’t sign an extension with Saint Petersburg, some see it as unlikely they would keep him with their KHL club next season, and you are not allowed to loan out players with one year left on their contract to other KHL teams. So, Demidov might be forced to play another season in the junior MHL, which would be a complete waste of time at this point and could stunt his development for a year.

But at least under that scenario, he would be in North America next year.

Except there is a real sense, and not just from the Canadiens, that SKA likes Demidov and would like him to play for them. And when they feel that way, SKA tends to be persistent, and there are certain pressure valves they can access.

Numerous conversations with scouts and team officials at the combine confirmed the Demidov situation is a total wild card. He has two brothers playing in the SKA organization, his family lives there, his own development as a player — all of it represents ways Demidov could be pressured into signing an extension in Russia.

It’s a potential factor here that seems quite real, and if it were to come down to Lindstrom or Demidov for the Canadiens, this would definitely be a big part of that conversation.


- wiz1901

Montreal NHL Athletic:
It seems at least somewhat probable that Russian phenom Ivan Demidov could be available for the Canadiens at No. 5, but if that happens, there is some question as to whether they would take him there, depending on who else is available, namely Medicine Hat Tigers centre Cayden Lindstrom.

In the unlikely event both of them survive through the first four picks, I would guess (and it is just that, a guess) that the Canadiens would lean toward taking Lindstrom (more on that in a bit). If just one of Lindstrom or Demidov is available at No. 5, that makes the decision somewhat easier for the Canadiens.
There is a lot to like about Lindstrom, and I do believe the Canadiens like him a lot. The athleticism, the size, the power, the speed, the hands — it’s all there. There is some concern over his health, but if that checks out, I don’t think the Canadiens have too many questions.

There are a lot of questions about Demidov, though.

From a strictly hockey standpoint, the Canadiens recognize Demidov has game-breaking qualities they lack in the organization. But there is some doubt about whether his style would translate well to playoff hockey in the NHL. We were given the comparisons of David Pastrnak and Mitch Marner having some difficulty in the playoffs this year. Demidov is also not a perfect skater and does not have ideal size — though there is a belief he is bigger than his listed 5-foot-11 — but his compete and the consistency in his production are seen as pluses. And the fact that production came in the MHL is not ideal, but Demidov played in the top division of the MHL and maintained his production against both strong and weak opponents, on top of exploding in the playoffs.

But more than the strict hockey questions are the ones surrounding his status in Russia.

Demidov has one year left on his contract with SKA Saint Petersburg, which sounds like good news. But it complicates Demidov’s situation in several ways.

First off, if Demidov doesn’t sign an extension with Saint Petersburg, some see it as unlikely they would keep him with their KHL club next season, and you are not allowed to loan out players with one year left on their contract to other KHL teams. So, Demidov might be forced to play another season in the junior MHL, which would be a complete waste of time at this point and could stunt his development for a year.

But at least under that scenario, he would be in North America next year.

Except there is a real sense, and not just from the Canadiens, that SKA likes Demidov and would like him to play for them. And when they feel that way, SKA tends to be persistent, and there are certain pressure valves they can access.

Numerous conversations with scouts and team officials at the combine confirmed the Demidov situation is a total wild card. He has two brothers playing in the SKA organization, his family lives there, his own development as a player — all of it represents ways Demidov could be pressured into signing an extension in Russia.

It’s a potential factor here that seems quite real, and if it were to come down to Lindstrom or Demidov for the Canadiens, this would definitely be a big part of that conversation.


- wiz1901
- wiz1901

I think the Ducks take the Russian. They have a glut of high end prospects - both D and F and at this point can afford to take a swing. If he pans out cool, if he doesn't it won't derail their rebuild.

I don't think that Montreal can afford to take the risk with where they are at. They need guys who are going to contribute to the team so I think they go safer.

There's a weird line of risk management vs swinging for the fences.

The Hawks taking a long look at Levshunov makes sense from that standpoint. There was a Seth Jones comp brought up in the last blog, and even if that is the comparable, its still a really good player and they need another one of those on the right side of the blue line.

Comparison of Mickov and Demidov by Pronman


https://www.nytimes.com/a...n-demidov-matvei-michkov/

The mention of Calum Ritchie above made me think of this year's prospect, Ryder Ritchie who played at Prince Albert this year. He had 44 points in 47 games.

https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/617230/ryder-ritchie

Profile: https://bvmsports.com/202...e-as-2024-draft-prospect/

Got to see him live here in November - my comments:

(From November 16th)
Was able to see Ryder Ritchie live in Seattle on Tuesday. His offense is very dynamic; in the first minute, he beat the defenseman around the edge (even while falling to one knee and recovering) and scored short side high. He is good on the carry, leading the rush, pretty good passing, and finds the open areas to get his shot off. He also had a steal and breakaway, but the goalie made the stop. He would stay out for long shifts, has no problem staying on for the PP even after a regular shift.

I did notice that, even though it was a fast, heavy game with a lot of hitting, he did not get involved physically at all. Used the stick along the boards, and did not go behind the net on either end. I know the dynamic scorers, especially young ones, may not be too physical, but it's something I would check back on going forward.

His offense is so good that he might be able to make the jump next year, but more probably the year after. Not sure I would use the top 10 pick on him based on this one game, but if he dropped to the second 1st rounder, would be worth taking.

Think he was rated top 15 at the time. The goal he scored that night showed some real speed and agility as he fell to one knee going around the d-man. Wiz has him at #26 which seems about right. Think he would be a decent bargain in Round 2. Will need the full two years in the WHL and some AHL time to work on other parts of the game besides offense.

I think the interesting part about the Guentzel rumors is he's turning 30 and may want to win a cup.

It's not like he's gonna take a 2 year deal. If he took 6 with the Hawks, for example, he'd probably get a shot for one with them. Plus he already has a cup from his time in Pitt so he may be good with just monies.

Comparison of Mickov and Demidov by Pronman


https://www.nytimes.com/a...n-demidov-matvei-michkov/
- Revco38

Pay wall, forget that