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The advice of Ilya Kovalchuk for Ivan Demidov

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Mar 16, 2025 5:01 PM ET

Ilya Kovalchuk announced his retirement this week.

He will have had a superb career in the end!

The former CH player was also interviewed by RG Media as part of an interview and Ivan Demidov was discussed. Kovalchuk spoke of his compatriot as a super guy… but he also gave him some advice.

Kovalchuk played in Montreal and knows the market.

He knows what it takes to be successful here… And he also knows that in Montreal, hockey is important for fans.

This is why Kovalchuk wants Demidov to be ready to face the music.

He must be ready to face the reality of playing in a city where hockey is a real religion. Every move he makes will be scrutinized by management and the media. – Ilya Kovalchuk

He also advises him to get involved in the community so that fans appreciate him even more:

Former NHLer Ilya Kovalchuk took some time to talk to @TheRGMedia on some hot topics in the NHL:

– Advice for #GoHabsGo Ivan Demidov
– Encouragement for #LetsGoFlyers Matvei Michkov
– What are the #LetsGoPens doing?!
– How #gojetsgo have evolved since move from Atlanta

https://t.co/9XG0QFgBBb

— Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) March 16, 2025

In fact, Ilya Kovalchuk is right.

We’re already talking a lot about Ivan Demidov while he’s playing in Russia, in the KHL… And it’s sure and certain that all eyes will be on him as soon as he arrives in town.

The hype surrounding the CH’s prospect is enormous, after all.

And everyone is eager to see him make his first strides in the Tricolor uniform!

It’s cool to see a former CH player who was appreciated in Montreal take the time to give indications to a young player like Demidov.

Kovalchuk – who had his share of success in the NHL – knows that his compatriot has the talent to be one of the best players in the NHL in the near future and I imagine that’s why he wants to see him succeed too.

In rapid fire

– It’s getting back on track for Elias Pettersson.

Elias Pettersson in the last two weeks:

6 games
— 4 goals
— 6 points
— 11 hits (3rd on Canucks)
— 59.4% on faceoffs (1st on Canucks)

Here’s every notable time he puck touch from last night, look out for

1. stickhandling out of dangerous scenarios
2. quick passes to collapse D pic.twitter.com/P7pZG4kKiY

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) March 16, 2025

– Well done.

Another page of history in the career of the Penguins captain. https://t.co/ONBHMI4ODf

— TVA Sports (@TVASports) March 16, 2025

– I agree!

The more the season progresses, the more I think we’ll have to consider Florian Xhekaj as a serious candidate for the 4th line of the #CH next season.

Of course, it all depends on his training camp. We must not rush things.

But considering that he will not be… pic.twitter.com/iJOxc6IinY

— Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) March 16, 2025

– Not ideal, that.