During an interview on RDS, the Montreal Canadiens’ Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, Jeff Gorton, addressed the situation of Ivan Demidov. As you might know, Demidov’s limited playing time in the KHL has become a prevalent discussion, with him averaging less than four minutes on the ice per game. Despite his impressive performance when he does play, there’s growing concern about how this lack of playing time may hinder his development over the season.
Gorton confirmed that the Canadiens are in regular communication with Demidov’s team and expressed a desire for him to receive more playing time. He acknowledged the frustrating situation but noted satisfaction with Demidov’s contributions during his limited appearances.
When asked about the possibility of Demidov joining the Canadiens this season, Gorton explained, “We must respect his contract in the KHL, which still has a year left with SKA. We’re willing to be patient and are eager to see him in Montreal.”
While this response may not provide the strongest assurance about Demidov’s potential immediate transfer to the NHL, it does convey a positive message. It’s encouraging to know that Canadiens management is actively engaging with SKA. Gorton also emphasized their desire for Demidov to have more playing time, highlighting that they are pleased with how he performs when given the opportunity.
Furthermore, it’s noteworthy that Demidov typically makes a significant impact on his team’s performance whenever he plays, as evidenced by his recent goal. Gorton’s comments regarding Demidov’s future are clear but should be considered cautiously. Even if there are ongoing negotiations to potentially buy out his contract, Gorton would likely keep such discussions private, which is a standard practice.
