Ivan Demidov is at loggerheads with SKA Saint Petersburg. Because of his intentions to join the Canadian next season, his coach, Roman Rotenberg, is making life difficult for him.
Although the talent comes out of his ears and he actively contributes to the success of his team when he is on the ice, Rotenberg makes him warm the bench more often than not.
It doesn’t take Papineau any thought to understand that the Canadian’s first round pick in the last draft is the victim of blackmail. The actions of Rotenberg and his bosses are as obvious as those of a schoolyard bully.
To try to get him out of poverty, Nick Bobrov, Kent Hughes and Vincent Lecavalier went to Russia.
“For Ivan, it shows that the team cares about him and that he is a very important project for the organization,” said Mike Matheson after the team’s training. Knowing that the leaders of the team are watching him and are excited at the idea of welcoming him one day will definitely give him confidence. »
Photo Getty Images/AFP
Against the big machine
It will also prove to him that he is not alone in his world. We must not forget that we are talking about a young man who has just celebrated his 19th birthday. At this age, we don’t necessarily have the tools to face a big machine like the KHL and its sometimes shady-looking leaders.
It’s a burden that can become heavy to bear.
“It’s one of our greatest hopes. And the organization just drafted him. It’s normal that our leaders travel to see him,” said Nick Suzuki.
The captain is not wrong. The Habs did the same thing with Michael Hage, also a first-round pick in the last draft, earlier this season. Ditto for Jacob Fowler.
Although he is injured, David Reinbacher has remained with the Canadian since the start of the campaign. He participates in team meetings and video sessions.
It is part of the mandate to take care of the development of its players, to ensure their well-being and their development. As a former players’ agent, Kent Hughes knows a lot about the issue.
While there are those who question the relevance of the visit of the three Tricolor musketeers to Russia in times of war, it will certainly go over his head ten feet.
Martin St-Louis’ reaction and response to a question on this subject illustrated this very well.
“I won’t comment on that,” he replied dryly.
Waited with open arms
That said, it would be surprising if Hughes and Lecavalier bring the right winger back in their bags. But whether it’s between now and the end of the season or, more likely, starting next year, his future teammates are impatient at the idea of opening the locker room doors for him.
“I didn’t actually get to watch his games, but I saw highlights. Everyone speaks highly of him, Suzuki said. We are excited by the prospect of welcoming such a high caliber player. We’ll see when it happens, but we really can’t wait to see it. »
“We are always ready to welcome this type of player,” said Matheson, taking care to add a caveat. It will be important to make him understand that the fate of the team does not rest only on his shoulders. »
A discussion that Hughes, Lecavalier, Bobrov and Jeff Gorton will surely have with him once they manage to dig him out of the hole.
