Demidov’s Arrival Confirmed

Montreal Canadiens fans, rejoice! Ivan Demidov, the coveted prospect, is officially en route to North America. Overcoming earlier speculation,the St. Petersburg SKA has agreed to release Demidov from his contract ahead of schedule, paving the way for him to join the Canadiens. He is expected to integrate with the team in the coming days, pending the finalization of his legal documentation.

Draft Day Drama: Chicago’s Bold Attempt to Snatch Demidov

The path to securing Demidov wasn’t without its challenges.During the last NHL entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks, fresh off selecting defenseman artyom Levshunov, made a meaningful push to acquire Demidov. According to sources, the Blackhawks proposed a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, offering their unprotected 2025 first-round pick for the fourth overall selection. Their intention was clear: to draft demidov before the Canadiens had the chance.

Chicago’s management suspected Montreal’s interest in the Russian phenom and sought to preemptively secure his rights. Though, Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager don Waddell ultimately declined the offer, prioritizing the possibility to draft forward Cayden Lindstrom. This decision allowed the canadiens to select demidov with the fifth overall pick.

lebrun Confirms Near-Trade: “Demidov Was close to Being a Blackhawk”

Renowned hockey journalist Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic recently revisited this near-miss scenario on the Radar podcast on BPM Sports. LeBrun confirmed that the proposed trade between Chicago and Columbus was indeed a reality, stating that Demidov was “very close” to becoming a Blackhawk. Demidov’s agent, Dan Milstein, corroborated this facts.

It was confirmed to me that if the Blackhawks had been able to complete this exchange with the Blue Jackets, they would have drafted Ivan Demidov.

– pierre Lebrun, The Athletic

what Could Have Been: Zegras to Montreal?

Had the Blackhawks succeeded in acquiring Demidov, the Canadiens’ General Manager Kent Hughes reportedly had a contingency plan in place. According to sources, Hughes was prepared to pursue a trade with the Anaheim Ducks to acquire forward Trevor Zegras. Zegras, known for his highlight-reel plays and offensive creativity, would have been a significant addition to the canadiens’ roster. As of today, Zegras has scored 65 goals and 175 points in 250 NHL games.

Fate Favored the Canadiens

Ultimately, the Canadiens benefited from a stroke of luck. The failed trade between chicago and Columbus allowed them to secure Ivan Demidov,a player many believe has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone. As Demidov prepares to don the Canadiens’ jersey, fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing how close they came to missing out on this remarkable talent.