2024-04-27 18:05:06
With the Canadian not taking part in the current NHL playoffs, we are starting to focus more and more on the draft side in Montreal.
Remember that the NHL confirmed yesterday that the draft lottery will take place on May 7.
A date to circle on your calendar 😎 pic.twitter.com/6l8PsT3LCb
— DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) April 26, 2024
Obviously, we expect to see Macklin Celebrini be the first player drafted, but after him, things could get complicated. There does not appear to be a clear second option and there are many candidates.
Among the lot, there is Ivan Demidov, a young Russian prodigy who is dominating in his native Russia this season. Remember that CH would be willing to select him, which was not necessarily the case for Matvei Michkov last year.
However, in the last few days, a situation has gone under the radar in Russia: Demidov suffered a major knee injury in the MHL final… and it doesn’t look good, he who was seen on crutches in the following days.
This is not his first knee injury this season: he was on the sidelines in October for the same reason.
Here’s the play (edited for length) in Game 4 where #2024NHLDraft Ivan Demidov was injured.
He showed up for Game 5 on crutches. DNP. #MHLFinals
Appears to be same knee he injured in October. pic.twitter.com/uSSNxakeYb
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) April 26, 2024
His team eventually won the championship a few days later, so Demidov was seen celebrating on the ice with the rest of the group.
He had his crutches in his hand, as did a walking boot on his left foot.
Ivan Demidov celebrates the MHL Championship on crutches.
He completes his draft eligible season with 34 goals and 88 points in 47 games.
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) April 25, 2024
The question now is whether this injury will have any influence on the upcoming draft. Two injuries to the same knee (including this one, which seems particularly important), is something that could possibly scare some teams.
Given equal talent, taking the player who doesn’t have a history of knee injuries becomes a much more interesting idea.
The talent is undeniable for Demidov, who has just scored 34 goals and 88 points in 47 games this season… but let’s hope for him kid that he avoided the worst with his most recent injury.
And above all, let’s hope he can return to top form as quickly as possible.
A lot of
– There will be talent at this tournament.
Lucas Raymond is joining Sweden for the IIHF World Hockey Championship. That tournament looks like it’s going to feature tons of top-end talent with best-on-best hockey now back on the horizon.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 27, 2024
– Michael McCarron fined.
Nashville’s Michael McCarron has been fined $2,000 for goalie interference on Vancouver’s Casey DeSmith.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 27, 2024
– Nice try, as they say.
Seriously, this is top-notch work. They almost got one thing right.
Almost. pic.twitter.com/Y05QMrc5DI
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 27, 2024
– A nice consolation prize.
Cataford was able to compensate for the elimination of the Mooseheads with its AHL debut
A text from @eleblancRDS
— RDS (@RDSca) April 27, 2024
– Oh yes?
It wouldn’t have been too much in 2024.
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) April 27, 2024
#Ivan #Demidov #suffered #major #knee #injury #days