Generations of kids spent their childhood trying to answer the question “Where’s Waldo?”, but that was an easy task compared to trying to answer the interrogation that’s on the mind of every Montreal Canadiens’ fan this offseason: Who will be the Habs’ second line center?
Depending on who you ask, the replies go from Kirby Dach to Zach Bolduc to “Kent Hughes is just about to pull a big trade, I can feel it!” or even to: Ivan Demidov would be the perfect fit at the second line pivot.
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But what does the man himself believe? Well, unlike what has been reported in the last day or so, Demidov has never said that it was outside of the realm of possibilities that he would play center and that it wasn’t something that interested him at all. According to RG.org’s Marco D’Amico, the young Russian said he would have to see if he could play at center. He has done it in the past, as a junior player, but never in the KHL.
PSA: Ivan Demidov never refused to work on his faceoffs this summer.
I was asked why he isn't an option for 2C and brought up a quote from Ivan back in February. He just wasn't confident in being able to play C because of faceoffs. https://t.co/bMvjWIfglvpic.twitter.com/iuH4dwGw1Q
— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) July 14, 2025
Humble as they come, Demidov also added that face-offs would be the key factor, and he doesn’t always win them. The rookie will play wherever the Canadiens ask him to play, but he’s not confident that he could play center in the NHL. He didn’t say anything controversial, and any claims that he might have an attitude problem are false. He didn't refuse to work on his draws this offseason either.
I don’t know how the idea could even be entertained given the fact that the player has elected to stay in Montreal this Summer and is diligently putting in the hours at the Canadiens’ Brossard training facilities instead of enjoying the sunshine and the scorching weather. Last weekend, he even appeared in a shootout showcase in Boisbriand to please the fans, and he’s also set to play in the Living Sisu LSHL three-on-three league this Summer.
Could Demidov end up being the Canadiens’ second-line center? Maybe, but right now, it doesn’t seem likely, especially given the fact that the youngster typically doesn’t lack confidence, and he confesses he doesn’t know how good he could be playing that position.
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
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