Putting in Perspective of Why Demidov is on PP2

Lavoie-Martel explains that it would make sense to split up Hutson and Demidov for the sole reason that nobody else can bring the puck up ice as smoothly as either of these guys. Therefore, to get good clean zone entries on both units, the Habs can confidently trust them either way. Dobson is a good skater with the puck, but his stick handling of the puck is far from the level that Demidov brings. 

Lavoie-Martel also brought up the fact that all that Patrik Laine can do on the power-play is fire the puck from the left circle. As shown in Training Camp, nobody can find Laine as seamlessly on the 2nd unit like Demidov. This is one of the reasons that the 2nd unit had good spurts throughout the preseason, as Demidov and Laine connect so well offensively. 

The reality that Habs fans must face is that the Canadiens can’t play both on the first unit, which is why balancing it out is the way to go. The first unit already has a main trio that cannot be moved in Hutson, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield (who basically plays Laine’s exact role on PP1 but with a bit more movement), who are dominant on the power-play together. 

Adding Bolduc to that unit over Demidov will bring a completely different element that nobody else brings to the top unit. Demidov plays a similar role to Suzuki as the distributor from the right half wall. As he gets more confident with his shot, Demidov could also be a double threat with his wrister in that spot as well.

Nonetheless, Demidov actually plays where Suzuki plays best on the power-play, so placing those two guys on separate units to allow their two best playmaking forwards to do what they do best. Both forwards have great shots, but will always be more comfortable setting up their teammates as their first decision, meaning having Suzuki on one unit and Demidov on the other is what will make the Canadiens’ power-play more dangerous and improve their overall team offense greatly.

I will admit, Lavoie-Martel’s reasoning behind Demidov being on the 2nd unit to play a similar puck carrier to Hutson does make a lot of sense. However, when we see how the players line up on the power-play, I see it more as a way to separate Suzuki and Demidov so that they can both play from their power-play office, respectively.

Why do you think that Ivan Demidov is on the 2nd power-play unit? Is it because he needs to prove himself more, for carrying the puck up like Hutson, or to be the premier playmaker like Suzuki?