It’s official: Ivan Demidov makes the KHL dance on his paddle and splashes everything in his path.
While his opponents desperately try to keep up, National League scouts must still be rubbing their eyes watching this marvel blossom.
We seriously wonder what could have happened on the day of the 2024 draft to make this offensive genius still available at fifth place.
The supporters of the Montreal Canadiens have only one word on their lips: « Merci. »
Demidov is a spectacle, a living statistical anomaly. At 19 years old, he’s not just playing in a league as robust as the KHL.
It shines. With 14 goals and 18 assists in 43 games, he is already a rising star.
And to top it off, here he is invited to the KHL All-Star Game. Yes, you read correctly: the All-Star Game.
Not bad for a guy who, just a few weeks ago, was fighting for decent ice time under a coach who seemed to have a grudge against him.
The turnaround is worthy of a Hollywood film. Everything changed after the visit to Russia of Kent Hughes and his team, who went to see Demidov in action.
We knew he was overflowing with talent, but he was misused, often relegated to the bench for reasons that still escape any rational mind.
Since his coach finally decided to place him on the first line, he is simply unstoppable.
In fact, since that decision, Demidov has transformed into a points machine and undisputed star of the KHL.
And yet, in the 2024 draft, four teams saw fit to pass their turn.
Let’s think about that for a second. What was going through the recruiters’ minds that day?
Was it a matter of bias against Russian players? A total ignorance of its potential? Or simply an unforgivable professional misconduct?
Regardless, what is certain is that the Canadian has got their hands on a gem, and other organizations must be biting their fingers.
Let’s look at the numbers. With his 32 points in 43 games in a league as demanding as the KHL, Demidov is part of the elite.
He is already being compared to Kirill Kaprizov, a player who, let us remember, is one of the best in the NHL today.
But some dare to say that Demidov could be even better. Imagine the panic among the recruiters of the teams who preferred to miss out on this generational talent.
For Canadiens fans, it’s Christmas every day.
What makes this even more hilarious is the timing. As videos of Demidov’s exploits go viral on social media, North American experts are only beginning to realize the extent of their mistake.
-Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook : regardless of the platform, the comments are unanimous. “How did this guy end up available at number five? » asks a user.
“The biggest draft mistake of the decade”writes another. And it’s difficult to contradict them.
What’s fascinating is seeing how Demidov excels despite the obstacles he’s faced.
Playing in the KHL at 19 is already an achievement in itself. To shine in this league is a whole other level. We must not forget that the KHL is not a walk in the park.
It’s a league where players must fight for every inch of ice, where toughness and experience often dominate raw talent. But Demidov is not content to survive. He dominates.
And now, here he is rewarded with a place in the All-Star Game. A 19-year-old stealing the show in such a competitive league is simply unheard of.
Meanwhile, fans of other teams who passed him over in the draft must watch his exploits with a mixture of fascination and regret.
The leaders of the Canadian can congratulate themselves on their masterstroke.
Perhaps what’s most ironic about this whole story is that Demidov never stopped producing, even when he was playing less than 10 minutes per game.
Imagine what it could have accomplished with proper use from the start. Now his coach has put things right, but it’s hard not to wonder what could have been if he’d been trusted from the start.
But hey, better late than never, as they say.
For Canadian fans, Demidov represents more than just a talented player. He embodies hope, the promise of a bright future.
At 19, he plays like a veteran, with a maturity and confidence that impresses. And he’s only just getting started.
So what is left to say? Maybe this: If you’re a fan of a team that passed over Demidov in the draft, prepare for years of frustration.
Every goal he scores, every point he adds, will be a cruel reminder of what could have been. And for Canadian supporters?
Enjoy the show. You have a future superstar on your hands, and the whole world is starting to realize it.
Ivan Demidov is a historical mistake for those who ignored him. But for the Montreal Canadiens, he is the steal of the century.
And honestly, what’s more satisfying than that?
Amen!
