Canadiens May Have Found the Perfect Centre to Play Alongside Ivan Demidov
The upcoming season for the Montreal Canadiens promises to be very exciting, and everyone is eagerly waiting to see how Ivan Demidov performs in what will be his very first NHL campaign.
According to new information, it appears that the Canadiens' management has clearly identified who will be the center on Demidov's line in the coming years.
The future of the Montreal organization hasn't looked this bright in a long time, thanks to many talented young players.
On defense, Lane Hutson is simply sensational, and Kent Hughes managed to bring in another blueliner with massive potential in Noah Dobson, acquired during the June draft from the New York Islanders.
Kaiden Guhle is a cornerstone on the blue line, while sheriff Arber Xhekaj is never far when it comes to defending his teammates. Jayden Struble is making a strong case for himself, and veterans Mike Matheson and Alexandre Carrier are both very solid. Also, don't forget the names David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom, who could join the big club in the near future.
In goal, Samuel Montembeault is getting the job done and Jakub Dobes has a lot of potential. The signing of veteran Kaapo Kahkonen brings experience, and Jacob Fowler continues to develop with the Laval Rocket.
Among the forwards, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield continue to lead the charge. Juraj Slafkovsky is progressing, and it feels like he'll take the next step in his game next season.
The acquisition of Zachary Bolduc has caught the attention of fans, and Patrik Laine is preparing for his first full season with a complete summer of training. There's hope he'll stay healthy, and he's working extremely hard in practice.
Veterans Josh Anderson, Brendan Gallagher, Jake Evans, and Alex Newhook are doing honest work. Things are more complicated with Kirby Dach, and the 2025-26 season will be critical for his future.
Then there's young Ivan Demidov, who's preparing to play his very first NHL season. The Russian sensation stayed in Montreal for the summer and is spending most of his time training on the ice in Brossard.
Kent Hughes and Canadiens Management Are Betting Big on Michael Hage, Who's the Perfect Center to Play with Ivan Demidov
Michael Hage suited up for Team Canada Junior Showcase on Tuesday and quickly made his mark by beating the opposing goalie. He also picked up an assist on Canada's second goal.
Habs prospect Michael Hage with a sweet assist for Team Canada after scoring a goal earlier
The young Hage is impressing everyone, including experts, and he's receiving a ton of rave reviews. Steve Ellis, who works with Daily Faceoff, had this to say:
"Hage scored the first goal, positioning himself in the high-danger area to receive a pass without being noticed. But that's not what impressed me the most. It was his constant movement on the ice, which allowed him to create space and put his teammates in scoring positions. Hage is a perfect second-line center because he plays reliably at both ends without sacrificing offensive chances. I also loved his pass on Canada Red's second goal."
- Steve Ellis
- Steve Ellis
Judging by Hage's talent and performance, this young man is likely to find himself playing alongside Ivan Demidov in the years to come. But caution is needed-he must be given the time to develop properly.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 30 | 233 ANSWERS Canadiens May Have Found the Perfect Centre to Play Alongside Ivan Demidov What do you think of Alex Newhook's performance since he started wearing a Montreal Canadiens jersey? | ||
| Really good | 28 | 12 % |
| Not Bad | 143 | 61.4 % |
| Disappointing | 60 | 25.8 % |
| Horrible | 2 | 0.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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