Nick Bobrov absolutely needs to wake up and quickly.
During the last draft, he chose to avoid Matvei Michkov, claiming that the young Russian was too risky a bet due to his two-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg, and the presumed impossibility of getting him out of the KHL.
However, the Philadelphia Flyers demonstrated the opposite: they managed to convince the SKA to release Michkov, with some saying that a million dollars would have been enough to resolve the situation.
Now Bobrov is trying to make us believe that Michkov never intended to play for Montreal, preferring Philadelphia. This justification rings as false as ever.
Even worse, the Ivan Demidov situation clearly shows that Bobrov has been overconfident. He thought SKA would deliver on their promises and provide playing time that Demidov respects, but quite the opposite happened.
Since September 29, the Canadian’s hope has been plunged into real hell, accumulating less than six minutes of play per game.
Today he played barely 3 minutes.
At this rate, its development is seriously compromised, and the leaders of the Canadian cannot sit idly by.
Why didn’t Montreal step up and try to pay to get Demidov out of this dire situation, like the Flyers did with Michkov?
It is not too late to act. The Canadian absolutely must save Demidov, and Bobrov must make his contacts in Russia work.
KHL rules do not block deals between clubs if both parties agree. It is therefore possible to consider an agreement to release Demidov. Bobrov supposedly has all the contacts in the world in Russia.
He’s sleeping on the gas, and his inaction could cost the team dearly.
Bobrov must prove he has the skills and network to lead the tough negotiations. If Philadelphia managed to overcome the obstacles for Michkov, it is time for Montreal to do the same for Demidov.
The recruitment “boss” finds himself in a delicate position. Overlooking Matvei Michkov, an exceptional and generational talent, is one thing.
Giving the reason for the complexity of his contract with SKA Saint Petersburg, still valid for two years, is another.
According to him, the SKA leaders had no intention of letting their young star leave, making the investment too risky for the Canadian.
However, the Philadelphia Flyers were able to get around these obstacles. Double discomfort.
Double disturbing reality: the Canadian could also have arranged to repatriate Michkov by showing more will and using his resources.
Daniel Brière has far fewer contacts than Bobrov in Russia. Imagine. Bobrov’s father, Sergei, has always been involved in high-level hockey in St. Petersburg, and is now director of the SKA academy.
How could he get past Mishkov? And how can he let Demidov be treated like this?
Instead, Bobrov now prefers to claim that Michkov only wanted to play for the Flyers and that Montreal was never an option.
This version of the facts, however, seems difficult to believe and too easy to say.
The Canadian had the same means as the Flyers to get Michkov out of the KHL, especially in the absence of a formal transfer agreement between the NHL and the Russian league.
Bobrov’s failure does not end there. History repeats itself with Ivan Demidov.
Even before his selection, SKA had promised the Bobrov clan that Demidov would receive significant playing time, in order to promote his development.
The facts, however, demonstrate a completely different scenario. Since late September, Demidov has been relegated to a shameful role, playing only three to five minutes per game, under increasingly controversial head coach Roman Rotenberg.
Rotenberg, very close to Putin, took the reins of the team in January 2022, despite a complete lack of experience as a coach or high-level player.
Since then, he seems to favor veterans and has little confidence in young talents like Demidov. To make him pay for wanting to play in the NHL.
Unlike Michkov, who was able to be loaned to Sochi to get more playing time, Demidov finds himself “caught” in his nightmare.
KHL regulations prohibit the loan of players in the final year of their contract, condemning the young prodigy to spending the season on the bench if there is no rapid intervention from the Canadian.
Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton and Geoff Molson also need to wake up…and quickly.
If Bobrov and the leaders of the CH were really assured that the leaders of the SKA would respect their commitments, it is clear today that they were fooled all along.
Which raises an essential question: where are Bobrov’s famous Russian contacts who are supposed to make the difference? His reputation is at stake, and his current inaction could well cost him dearly.
The Canadian cannot afford to leave the development of such a prodigious player in the hands of executives who want revenge for his desire to play in the NHL.
The KHL rules are certainly complex, but they do not completely block negotiations between clubs.
Even though there hasn’t been an official transfer agreement between the NHL and KHL since 2022, that hasn’t stopped the Flyers from finding common ground for Michkov.
It is therefore crucial that Bobrov, and by extension the Canadian, do what is necessary to get Demidov out of this murky situation.
If financial compensation has to be negotiated with the SKA to release Demidov, then so be it. It is inconceivable to sacrifice a year of development of such a talented prodigy for the sake of money.
Demidov deserves to have a clear plan and support from the CH, who must not let him sink into uncertainty.
There is still time for the Canadian to rectify the situation, but this requires an immediate awakening from Bobrov. He must activate his network, use his contacts and put together a plan to save Demidov from the nightmare he finds himself in.
If this means paying the SKA, let us do it immediately.
Michkov’s lesson is clear: it is possible to overcome contractual obstacles in Russia if you put in the necessary effort.
The question is therefore no longer whether Demidov should be released, but when and how. Bobrov must act quickly, as each passing match compromises his potential.
The CH must absolutely save Demidov, before it is too late.
