"If the management of the Canadiens wasn't very fond of Matvei Michkov last year, I'm told that their opinion of Ivan Demidov is quite different. They would have no hesitation to select him if he were available at their pick.
He has only one year left on his contract in the KHL and has refused to sign a contract extension. But one year is not three years as was the case for Michkov, and I'm told that the Canadiens see Demidov as a much more complete player than Michkov.
A source also tells me that the management of the CH has been granted permission to watch several of Demidov's games this season via live video, something they couldn't do last year for Michkov.
The Canadiens might even be tempted to pay the price to move up in the draft and select Demidov, but there are also other forwards they like who could be available at their pick, such as Cayden Lindstrom or Tij Iginla."
- Arpon Basu
