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Ivan Demidov - Montreal Canadien

Hughes was asked about Demidov and reiterated his belief that Demidov will be in Montreal next season. In the interim, however, the options are widely variant. “He’s under contract to Saint Petersburg, which is a world-class organization,” Hughes said. “If he’s playing in Saint Petersburg in the KHL, I think it’s a great environment for him to be playing in for a year. The coach Roman Rotenberg has done a nice job with Carolina’s prospect (Alexander) Nikishin there, who’s had a real nice progression developmentally. We think if Ivan’s there, he’s in a great place. If he’s not in the KHL, then we have to see what those options are. They’re probably not as optimal as being in Saint Petersburg.” It is my belief that should one of those sub-optimal situations comes to pass for Demidov next season, such as spending a third season in the junior MHL, the Canadiens are hoping there would be a way to convince Saint Petersburg to let him out of the final year of his contract, much like they just let Matvei Michkov of the final two years of his. But if Demidov is playing in Saint Petersburg, that wouldn’t even be necessary. They would be happy to have him develop there for a year.
 
It's been reported here in Philly that the Flyers would have taken Demidov, not Lindstrom, had Waddell been able to trade them the 4OA pick. He wanted three first rounders from Briere, nos. 12 and 32 this year, and their first next year.
 
Yeah, but the Flyers then traded 12 and 32 anyway, and arguably "wasted" 13 on a likely middle six center. Given all that, I think I would have made the trade with CBJ and gotten Demidov (or a potential no. 1 center in Lindstron).
 
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