Ivan Demidov better than Connor Bedard? Major statement for the Habs

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David St-Jean
August 6, 2024 (10:40)

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With the 5th overall pick in the 2024 draft, the Canadiens had no choice but to select a forward, and it is the young prodigy Ivan Demidov who was chosen.

Nick Bobrov and Martin Lapointe have repeatedly said they were surprised and very excited to see him still available at that point, given he was higher on their list.

In short, we've since gotten to know the young forward better and it's clear he has a lot of charisma and seems perfect for an organization like the Canadiens.

Ivan Demidov better than Connor Bedard in puck handling?

According to Sebastian High of Dobber Prospects, the Canadiens' prospect has nothing to envy Connor Bedard, who is set to be one of the best players of his generation.

"But it's with the puck on his stick where he shines brightest. Featuring a near Datsyuk-ian flair, Demidov can dissect defenses all on his own - though he favours possession over trying to do so regularly. He's the best puckhandler we've scouted in the past 3 drafts, Bedard included.

It's not only the mechanics which are fantastic, but the decision-making, creativity, deception, and pace shifts supporting it. He's an unconventional skater with subpar stride mechanics, but his favoured 10-and-2 skating style gives him a tremendous amount of lateral mobility and deception, allowing him to escape small-ice situations with possession against all odds."

According to an expert in the field, Demidov thus has better puck handling skills than Connor Bedard, who is a first overall pick and a remarkable hockey player.

This is a very impressive and encouraging statement for what's to come! I don't know about you, but I'm even more excited to see him in action after such a comment.