Many scouts think Ivan Demidov’s skating is a problem

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Many scouts think Ivan Demidov’s skating is a problem

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Sep 24, 2024 5:07 PM ET

Corey Pronman seems to have a habit of being harsh when he talks about Canadiens prospects.

For example?

In a recent ranking of the best players / prospects aged 23 and under, he put Ivan Demidov 17th on the list, which caused a reaction. But in the text, he refers to the Russian as a player with a below-average skating stroke.

This caused a reaction because Demidov is dexterous on his skates.

He’s able to pivot easily on himself and that allows him to be more creative on the ice.

The following video is a good example:

GREAT STUFF FROM DANIEL HERE. BEST IN THE BUSINESS.

Big reason why he returned so quick.

Technical / Tactical Skating during RTP with #2024NHLDraft Ivan Demidov

@daniel_bochner IG: danielbochner pic.twitter.com/ygDYZTHYfG

– Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) January 11, 2024

Arpon Basu went to “confront” Pronman about this and asked him to explain why he wrote this in his text in the first place.

Pronman defended himself by saying that several other scouts in the league shared the same opinion.

Pronman acknowledges that Demidov is a powerful skater, but finds the player’s technique awkward because his knees constantly bend inward as he moves around the rink:

I’d say most NHL scouts I’ve discussed this with think his skating stroke is a problem, rather than a strength. – Corey Pronman

Canadiens prospect rankings under the microscope: Corey Pronman defends himself https://t.co/FWPG4cMobX

– The Athletic Montreal (@TheAthleticMTL) September 24, 2024

It’s true that Demidov isn’t the most explosive skater on the ice.

That said, the fact that he’s so agile while pivoting on himself is one of his finest qualities.

Demidov takes his inspiration from Kirill Kaprizov, and it’s true that there are similarities when you see them moving around and changing direction so easily:

Kirill Kaprizov in 3v3 OT is just electric pic.twitter.com/BhHzrrqufO

– Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) January 17, 2021

Maybe Demidov will have to work on his speed at some point and improve his technique, but to say that his skating is a problem… Well, that’s another way of looking at it.

Overtime

– Wow!

Ratings: 433,000 people (average per minute) watched the @CanadiensMTL prep game yesterday on @RDSca.

They were around 300,000 for the 1st prep game a year ago. #Buzz

– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) September 24, 2024

– The guys are having fun.

Lindy Ruff posed a challenge.

Practice would end if Mattias Samuelsson hit the empty net … right on the mark. pic.twitter.com/bD9DTsLwkL

– Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) September 24, 2024

– It’s going to be a beautiful moment.

Juraj Slafkovsky & Filip Mesar will play against their childhood friend Simon Nemec tonight pic.twitter.com/9sdH2ssCx6

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 24, 2024

– It’s off to a great start!

A Utah W. pic.twitter.com/wSWTK5xl26

– NHL (@NHL) September 24, 2024

– Go listen to the chronicle.

Here’s the hole where the ball went in last Sunday.@SoccerQuebec should never accept that a game that has the potential to send young people to represent QC in national championships in Canada is played with a net like this.

Chronicle: https://t.co/holVVcJrNk https://t.co/R97N3ifvPR pic.twitter.com/CBdrBwA4Sm

– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) September 24, 2024

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: