The biggest steal of the year belongs to Kent Hughes according to a journalist
It was known that Kent Hughes had the necessary experience to identify talent, but now a journalist from The Athletic has even referred to a true steal of the year accomplished by Kent Hughes.
The selection of Ivan Demidov is among the top 100 NHL prospects according to Scott Wheeler.
Many experts called it a big catch for the Canadiens, but Wheeler, a credible and respected journalist in the NHL sphere, qualifies the selection of the 18-year-old Russian as the steal of the year at the fifth rank.
The future looks bright for the Canadiens, who have spoken three times in the top-5 of the amateur draft over the past three years. Canadiens fans can seriously hope for a more than competitive team in the long term. There is even talk of a team that could dream of major honors in five or six years when the core is mature.
According to an expert ranking, no less than six young Canadiens players are among the top 100 NHL prospects.
As reported by the site DansLesCoulisses, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic has revealed his annual list of the top 100 NHL prospects, and what a pleasant surprise it is to see that Ivan Demidov, chosen fifth by the Canadiens in the last draft, ranks third among the best prospects behind Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov. This means that the forward could well establish himself as a top-6 player by the end of his KHL contract in 2025 with the Canadiens.
Ivan Demidov est immédiatement l'un des trois meilleurs jeunes joueurs au monde, au niveau de Macklin Celebrini et Matvei Michkov
What an acquisition, and what a player!
With the publication of such a ranking, Canadiens fans, who have been waiting for conclusive results for ages, can look forward to some talent in the short or medium term.
Ivan Demidov is not the only prospect in the organization, as there are five other quality prospects. Unsurprisingly, the American defenseman who excelled in the NCAA with Celebrini, Lane Hutson, ranks 21st. He is even ahead of a certain Shane Wright (24th). Remember that many fans had strongly criticized the choice of Slafkovsky over Shane Wright. Two years later, the giant Slovak has proven his general manager right.
The Canadiens' fifth selection in 2023, David Reinbacher, ranks 38th. The Canadiens' second first-round pick in 2024, Michael Hage, arrives in 41st position, which is very interesting. Nearing a confirmed role in the Canadiens lineup in 2024-2025, Joshua Roy (68th) and Logan Mailloux (79th) are the other two team prospects in the top 100.
It should be noted that Scott Wheeler also included the names of Jayden Struble and Owen Beck among those who "just missed the cut." This means that the Canadiens can take pride in the flourishing future of their prospects.
It would be an understatement to say that the future looks very promising within the organization. The only thing left to see... Will the development of these prospects be as good as advertised?
Credit: DansLesCoulisses
Liste des meilleurs espoirs de Scott Wheeler: six patineurs du CH dans le top-80
| POLL | ||
After watching Scott Wheeler's list, at which rank do you place Ivan Demidov in the top-100 NHL best prospects? | ||
| Top-2 | 97 | 50.5 % |
| 3rd | 41 | 21.4 % |
| 4 or 5 | 33 | 17.2 % |
| Over the top-5 | 21 | 10.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
