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Originally Posted by stemit14
Does anyone know if there any “Russian factor” concerns with Demidov that could lead to him dropping in the draft? I’m not especially intrigued in the flames targeting him but I’m wondering if there are certain players that might drop simply due to teams worrying about picking a player that’s playing/committed to russia (similar to Michkov last year).
If I had to pick a player that I could see going higher in the draft it’s Cayden Lindstrom… the raw skill, speed and size he has while playing center is a difficult package to pass over. Most lists have him outside the top five right now but I could see I’m jumping up into that group.
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Exactly right about Lindstrom. As for the Russian factor, it's real and always present, and with the state of the world these days, it's only getting worse IMO. Ask Flyers' prospect G Ivan Fedotov how much Russia likes to lose it's players to their enemies. Up until now, it hasn't affected the NHL bringing their top prospects over much, but it often takes a few years for said players contracts to expire in the KHL. However, it may get harder-Fedotov was supposed to come to NA this season, but he signed a 2-year contract with the KHL (I suspect he didn't have much of a choice) after being arrested and forced into his mandatory military service, that prevents him from going to the NHL. The Flyers have appealed to the IIHF.
Demidov's deal in the KHL lasts until the end of 2024-25. His 64 points in 44 MHL games last year is a record for U-18 players, and he might be better than Michkov. I still see him dropping a few spots, as Michkov did.