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Bob Hartley: SKA will try to convince Demidov to stay in Russia

Ivan Demidov will spend next season in Russia.

Will he have the opportunity to play a big role for his team in St. Petersburg, in the KHL?

Right now, that’s the question on everyone’s mind in Montreal, because the Canadiens’ prospect needs to have the opportunity to play en masse if he’s to progress.

Bob Hartley, on Martin Lemay’s show, spoke of Demidov as an “excellent” hockey player, and for the former coach, the Russian could have been drafted No. 1 if he’d had the same exposure as Macklin Celebrini in the last campaign.

But speaking of Demidov, Bob Hartley was also keen to send a pretty clear message to everyone: chances are SKA will try to seduce Demidov to keep him in Russia.

Because, at the end of the day, the KHL is a league that wants to compete with the NHL… And the clubs don’t like to see a young player leave the league to move to North America :

Will there be a charm operation to try to sign him for the longer term during the season? Don’t be surprised. – Bob Hartley

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If there’s one in particular who’s in a good position to speak, it’s Bob Hartley.

Why do I say that? Because Bob Hartley knows the KHL very, very well.

He spent four seasons behind the bench at HK Avangard Omsk, where he won the league championship in the 20-21 season. He knows what he’s talking about.

That said, whenever Demidov talks about the Canadiens, he reminds us that his dream is to play in the National League.

He wants to play in the best hockey league on the planet because, quite simply, he wants to compete with the best players on the planet.

And that’s what’s so reassuring for Habs fans.

Of course, Demidov might be tempted to stay in Russia for logical reasons (he was born there and has family and friends there), but the smile on his face following his selection in last June’s draft is far from a coincidence either.

– A new partner for Cole Caufield.

– Interested parties:

– Zut.

– Speaking of ball:

– Whew…