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Ivan Demidov to eclipse Alex Kovalev’s 84-point mark, says Jason Bukala

No doubt about it, most Canadiens fans are excited about the prospect of one day seeing Ivan Demidov play in the NHL. That won’t be until the 2025-26 season, however.

Until then, we like to play the prediction game. What will his production be in his rookie season or his best career season?

It’s hard to answer that question without having seen him play a single minute of hockey in North America. Except that Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala lent himself to the game.

He thinks the Canadiens’ new nugget will beat Alex Kovalev’s single-season mark of 84 points.

In fact, Bukala doesn’t even question whether it’s going to happen or not, stating that Demidov will eclipse Kovalev’s total of 84 points, who is the last Habs player to finish a season with at least one point per game.

Let’s just say that in today’s NHL, collecting 84 points in a season isn’t the same feat as when Kovalev did it in 2007-08. His 84 points put him 11th in the NHL in points.

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In the 2023-24 season, 84 points would have ranked 24th in the NHL. This gives Demidov an advantage, as he’ll be playing in an era when players are scoring more points.

Demidov knows how to score. He proved it by collecting 88 points in just 47 games in Russia’s MHL.

Bukala is still reeling from the fact that the Canadiens managed to select Ivan Demidov fifth overall in the draft. He believes, as do many others, that Demidov is the second most talented player in this draft.

As for Alex Kovalev, he was excellent in Montreal, but only finished one of his five seasons with the Habs with at least one point per game.

We expect much more from Demidov. He could even become a regular in the NHL’s point-per-game club.

Overtime

– We can’t wait.

– NHL signature.

– Rempe gets advice.

– It’s tough.

– It won’t hurt.