Former Canadiens Star Criticizes Demidov

While Roman Rotenberg once again elected not to dress Montreal Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov in Russia's game against Belarus on Saturday, the youngster shone very brightly in the 3 on 3 matches of the event.

In a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan, the young sniper scored a pair of goals and also picked up and assist, Then, in Russia's second 3 on 3 match, a 4-2 win over Belarus, the right winger picked up a goal and an assist.

His pair of goals against Kazakhstan earned him the player of the game recognition which Rotenberg had to hand him himself. Still, in league play and regular Channel One Cup games, the bench boss keep underutilizing the young phenom.

Related: Canadiens: Rotenberg Pressured To Use Demidov?

In a recent interview with RG.org, former Canadiens star Alex Kovalev said he thinks Demidov has got the wrong approach. For the former Canadiens fans' favorite, the organization's prized prospect should not just take the reduce ice time treatment he gets on the chin. Kovalev explained:

“You have to try to get more playing time by any means necessary.”

With all due respect to the former NHLer, it's hard to see which means that would be. Teammates are on record praising Demidov for his hard work and his dedication in training. Unless of course Kovalev means bend to SKA St-Petersburg's will and sign a contract extension?

The Russian former sniper himself came over to North America when he was 20 years old and he had yet to have his big offensive awakening. In his final season with the Moscow Dynamo in 1991-92 he had 24 points in 26 games.

From the outside looking in, it doesn't seem like there's anything Demidov could do right now to earn more ice time. Kovalev even adds:

You also have to talk to your coach so that he can explain to you what you need to do so that he trusts you more. What if he is not given time in Montreal? Should he sit and wait, too? That is the wrong approach. You have to fight for every minute, by any means possible

Something tells me Demidov has already tried to speak to his coach but was met with the same reply Rotenberg gives the North American press, a mix of internal competition and it being normal for a youngster to play less and learn from the older players.

According to Russian outlet Championat.com, his teammate with SKA Evgeny Kuznetsov would like Demidov to stay with the team beyond this season. Clearly the 11-year NHL veteran likes playing with the young player, and having signed a four-year deal with the KHL team, it makes sense for him to say that.

If his countrymen would like Demidov to extend his stay in Russia, on this side of the pond, the Canadiens organization and the fans are eager to see him make his first strides in North America and seeing him bide his time with SKA until the end of his contract while working as hard as he can is just fine.

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