Let's be clear right away: Macklin Celebrini is an excellent player, no doubt about it, but Ivan Demidov could be a much better player, according to the former coach.
Bob Hartley coached in the KHL and even won a championship there. He knows very well that players from that region of the world don't get the same exposure as those from North American leagues.
Meanwhile, Macklin Celebrini had all the spotlight, and during that time, Ivan Demidov was tearing up the MHL and finished the season injured.
The Canadiens were lucky to draft him, and the four general managers who picked before Kent Hughes may well regret overlooking the Russian.
Moreover, Ivan Demidov has already recorded his first career point in his first KHL game. He looked very good and already has more responsibilities than Matvei Michkov had last year for the same club.
POLL | ||
7 SEPTEMBRE | 259 ANSWERS Kent Hughes' steal: Bob Hartley weighs in, and the Canadiens played a nasty trick on the Sharks In your opinion, will Ivan Demidov be the best player of his draft year? | ||
Yes | 240 | 92.7 % |
No | 19 | 7.3 % |
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