Ivan Demidov – 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Ivan Demidov

2023-24 Team: SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
Date of Birth: Dec. 10, 2005
Place of Birth: Sergiyev Posad, RUS
Ht: 5-foot-11 Wt: 168 pounds
Shoots: L
Position: RW
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2024 first-year eligible

Rankings

The question as to who will follow consensus first-overall 2024 pick Macklin Celebrini has been hotly contested since September. Initially, Cole Eiserman seemed like the best choice with his elite goal-scoring abilities, but he has since slipped out of favour following a less-productive second half of the season. In his place, defencemen Artyom Levshunov and Anton Silayev have gained popularity with their incredible impact on the blue line, but scouts seem divided as to which one is better. But Ivan Demidov has always been there, threatening to take over as the second-best prospect, and with the season winding down, he may have finally secured that spot for good.

Demidov is arguably the most exciting prospect up for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Like Eiserman, he possesses an incredible eye for the net. After initially struggling in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), he was sent down to the MHL, Russia’s junior league, where he immediately caught fire and never looked back. In 30 games with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg, he has 23 goals and 60 points, placing him second overall in league scoring. His point-per-game pace, however, was on another level. Over a full season, he not only would have led the league in points, but he would have been the only 18-year-old to cross 40 goals. In the playoffs, he has been just as good if not better; he’s already up to eight goals and 20 points in just 10 games.

Related: THW’s 2024 NHL Draft Guide

What makes Demidov so dangerous on offence is his patience. By now, most teams know that when he gets the puck, it’s likely ending up in the back of the net, so he frequently is pressured more than his teammates. However, that’s just fine by him, as he will wait for opponents to corner him, drawing in the double- or triple-team, and then quickly passes the puck to an open teammate or, if none are ready, uses a quick change of direction to create a wide-open space for an excellent scoring chance. No space is too small for the crafty Russian, and he has the agility and speed to take advantage of most openings.

Demidov’s patience is evident in his shot, too. He doesn’t have the most powerful release…