When the Montreal Canadiens chose Ivan Demidov last June, their strategy was straightforward: allow him to play another season in the KHL and then bring him to North America as soon as feasible. However, the use of the Habs prospect in SKA has not met expectations. Despite being named Rookie of the Month for September, Demidov has seen limited playing time, disappointing fans in Montreal.
It’s no surprise that Kent Hughes is planning a trip to Russia in the upcoming weeks to assess Demidov’s development, given the historically tense relationship between the KHL and the NHL, especially amidst recent conflicts in the region. This tension was evident with Matvei Michkov, showing how strained relations have presented challenges for various teams, including the Canadiens. The Flyers faced significant difficulties in securing Michkov’s exit from Russia.
Importantly, the KHL does not have a player transfer agreement with the NHL via the IIHF, complicating the process of bringing players to the NHL compared to leagues like Finland’s Liiga. A recent example of a smoother transition is Oliver Kapanen, who can remain in the NHL despite his Finnish contract.
Bill Daly recently addressed the concerns of Canadiens fans seeking immediate access to players like Ivan Demidov, expressing skepticism about a swift agreement between the two leagues. He affirmed, however, that players will always aspire to play in North America, noting that many have still managed to enter the NHL despite the lack of official communication with the KHL. Daly stated that the best Russian players are motivated to compete in the top professional league, which is recognized as the NHL, and have discovered ways to do so without direct involvement from the NHL or its teams. He believes there has been no decline in the influx of players into the league during this period.
It seems that this situation will persist for a while, with prospects needing to fulfill their commitments in the KHL before officially transitioning to the NHL. Recently, it was reported that Demidov turned down three contract offers from SKA Saint Petersburg last month, indicating that he is not looking to extend his commitment to the KHL, especially with his contract expiring next spring and the possibility of joining the Canadiens.
In summary, Bill Daly suggested that while a player like Ivan Demidov could eventually join the NHL, it is unlikely to happen in the near future; for this season, such a transition remains improbable.
