Ivan Demidov emerges as a top prospect for the upcoming draft, and it's no secret that the Canadiens are eyeing this talented forward.
The Russian currently belongs to the renowned SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL, and an important development regarding him has just been disclosed.
According to the coach of SKA, Ivan Demidov will continue to play with the team in the 2024-2025 season as he is under contract with the organization. In summary, don't expect to see Demidov in the NHL next year.
Most experts and mock drafts indicate that the talented Russian is likely to be drafted within the top 5, and the Canadiens are hopeful he'll still be available at the 5th pick.
Could this situation deter some NHL organizations, similar to Matvei Michkov's case last year? Recall that Michkov slipped to the 7th pick with the Flyers.
The two profiles bear striking similarities, and some teams may regret overlooking this forward with immense potential.
