The KHL’s leading scorer won’t even see the ice in the playoffs – and that’s actually great news for the Montreal Canadiens.
Ivan Demidov, the dynamic forward who’s been lighting up Russia’s top league, has been benched for the entire playoff run by SKA Saint Petersburg. He’ll be watching from the press box or, at most, serving as the team’s 13th forward.
SKA’s head coach Roman Rotenberg confirmed the rumors that had been swirling for days.
It’s a shocking move to sideline the league’s best player and top scorer. But there’s more to this story than just hockey decisions.
Hockey insiders say this is SKA’s way of punishing Demidov for repeatedly turning down their contract offers. The talented Russian forward seems to have his sights set on the NHL – specifically, Montreal.
For the Canadiens, this unexpected development could be a blessing in disguise. With Demidov safely in the press box, there’s no risk of injury before they can potentially sign him.
The timing couldn’t be better for Montreal. If Demidov keeps refusing to sign with SKA, he could be wearing the bleu-blanc-rouge within weeks.
It’s a high-stakes game of chicken between one of Russia’s powerhouse teams and their brightest star. And right now, it looks like the Canadiens might be the real winners.
