Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens hits a setback in his native country after being benched

In his KHL debut, Demidov made an instant impact, contributing an assist and coming close to scoring. But despite the strong start, things took a turn in just his third game when Demidov found himself benched for most of the third period, only getting two shifts.

His linemates on SKA St. Petersburg's third line include Stanley Cup champion Evgeny Kuznetzov and Croatian forward Borna Rendulic. However, the chemistry hasn't been ideal. Kuznetzov, despite his four-year deal, has looked disengaged, while Rendulic struggles to keep pace. Despite this, many observers believe Demidov has been the standout player on the line.

Head coach Roman Rotenberg has drawn criticism for how he's handling Demidov, using him as a scapegoat due to his age-a common tactic seen in European leagues. Demidov's ice time has dropped from 14 minutes in his first game to just 10 minutes by his third.

This trend is troubling, considering Demidov's undeniable talent and his strong mental approach to the game. His potential NHL future seems bright, but this mismanagement in his early development is concerning for fans and analysts alike.

The hope now is that Demidov can work his way back into Coach Rotenberg's favor before facing the possibility of being demoted to the MHL (the junior league). Montreal Canadiens fans will need to remain patient, holding on to the promise of his future potential while his path to stardom faces these early roadblocks.

Source: Markerzone
Montreal Canadiens' Ivan Demidov suffers setback in his home country: he has been benched