Ivan Demidov Should Have Similar or Better Production Than Michkov

Having watched both players for quite some time now and covering Matvei Michkov this season, I think I have some perspective. Both players will be stars in the league. To me, that’s an easy call. But they are different players and when talking about development one player’s stumbling block isn’t for another.

Michkov had a three-point game coming out of the 4 Nations break. There was a point where his play dropped off and that’s because of the amount of games, the lack of spacing compared to the KHL at times, and the pace. Michkov has 17 goals and 22 assists in 56 games played. The most games he played was 50 in the MHL and that matters. Demidov is at 57 so far so he’s getting a better taste of an NHL season.

Michkov has taken a lot of bumps this season and Demidov will have the same thing happen when he comes over. You become a target when he plays around the net. Demidov can score from further away compared to Michkov, so that will help him and he’s a better skater so presumably he will score more points. His one-timer is great and he is first to pucks a lot. Both he and Michkov are lethal from 5 feet out if there’s any kind of space.

For any Russian rookie, unless they are Kaprizov’s age when they come over, gaining confidence early in games fuels them. I’ve seen that with both of them but in the NHL it’s been a big factor with Michkov.

Michkov has improved away from the puck in the NHL and Demidov will have to do the same thing. Recently, Demidov missed some shifts so he’s still learning and will learning even more in North America. One day Canadiens fans will wake up to the news he’s coming over. I have no clue when that will be.