Nick Suzuki Explains What Makes Ivan Demidov So Valuable to the Canadiens
Ivan Demidov brings new life to the Montreal Canadiens' power play - and it's making fans dream.
Over the past few games, the Montreal Canadiens' power play finally seems to have found its rhythm.
The Canadiens rank 11th in the NHL with an efficiency of 23.3%.
Things started to click when Demidov was promoted to the first unit, and the results haven't gone unnoticed.
Suzuki explained what Demidov brings to the group.
"Guys respect skill and the stuff that he has, even though he's a rookie," Suzuki said. "It's not like no one else is ever going to touch the puck. We're out there, he's always looking for us and we're looking for him.
"I mean, as long as we're cooking, everyone's happy."
- Nick Suzuki
"I mean, as long as we're cooking, everyone's happy."
- Nick Suzuki
I think those comments perfectly capture the current vibe inside the locker room of the NHL's youngest team - confidence, fun, and creativity.
The young Russian fits naturally into this core of talented youth.
Lane Hutson and Martin St-Louis praise Ivan Demidov and the new dynamic of the Montreal Canadiens
For his part, Lane Hutson, the most recent Calder Trophy winner, has also been impressed by Demidov's arrival on the top power-play unit.
Here's what he had to say:
"His ability to threaten shots and passes and open up seams, it's pretty special. It helps me, it helps (Nick Suzuki), it helps everyone on the ice..."
- Lane Hutson
- Lane Hutson
Even head coach Martin St-Louis made a point to highlight his young player's growth, emphasizing that nothing was handed to him.
We're starting to see a pattern with St-Louis - he likes to take his time.
Habs coach Marty St. Louis yesterday on promoting Ivan Demidov to PP1:
"First, it increases his time on ice a little bit. But this wasn't something I was just going to give him to right away. I wanted him to show us that he can play on the other side of the ice and to value it. I think he showed me that. It gives me an opportunity to reward him. I know he's capable of playing on PP1 and to give more time on ice."
"First, it increases his time on ice a little bit. But this wasn't something I was just going to give him to right away. I wanted him to show us that he can play on the other side of the ice and to value it. I think he showed me that. It gives me an opportunity to reward him. I know he's capable of playing on PP1 and to give more time on ice."
Given the team's progress since he took over behind the bench, it's hard to believe St-Louis doesn't know exactly what he's doing.
In the last game, Demidov seized his opportunity - and I believe the first person happy about the young star's success is Martin St-Louis himself.
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