Ivan Demidov has sparked palpable excitement in Montreal since being drafted by the Canadiens.
Both fans and the team see him as a potential savior, which brings considerable pressure for the young player.
However, his confidence suggests he will handle these expectations brilliantly. His anticipated arrival next year will provide a concrete evaluation of his on-ice performance.
Tony Marinaro recently hosted Scott Wheeler on his Sick Podcast to discuss Ivan Demidov.
As an prospects expert for The Athletic, Wheeler is impressed by Demidov's potential, ranking him as the second-best player in the 2024 draft class.
He highlights the Canadiens' achievement in drafting Demidov 5th overall.
Wheeler not only admires Demidov's skills with the puck, comparing him favorably to other prospects, but also his physical maturity and play without the puck.
While Wheeler gives a slight edge to Matvei Michkov for offensive instinct, he is convinced that Demidov is a more complete player.
