Patrik Laine Unimpressed by Arrival of Canadiens' Newest Phenom Ivan Demidov
Photo credit: © Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Not everyone seems to be a fan of Ivan Demidov's arrival with the Canadiens, as Patrik Laine doesn't appear to be too eager to have him in the lineup.
It doesn't sound like Patrik Laine is too excited about the impending arrival of Ivan Demidov. Laine may be worried about team chemistry being disrupted, and doesn't seem to be a fan of many people already calling Demidov the "savior."
"There are guys who are injured, during this playoff run. It's certain that a 19-year-old Russian who has never played a game in North America and who enters the locker room with a reputation as a savior with 1 or 2 games to play in the season It can be disturbing."
Laine's concerns must be taken as a veiled reminder not to get ahead of ourselves. The "savior" mentality isn't necessarily popular in the locker room, and not everyone wants to be first in line to rush out and title an incoming player the next superstar.
"I know he's Russian and he's a left-handed player. That's not much. I don't really watch the KHL. Yeah, I mean, he looks super talented. I think European hockey is a bit boring. Big rinks, fewer chances. Slower pace. Less skating. I like it here with the smaller rinks. It's an adaptation for all young players, they have to experience it. It's the league with the best players, and right now, entering the playoffs, it's not an ideal time to do it."
- Anthony Martineau
- Anthony Martineau
Laine and many other players are requesting patience on Demidov
Patience, in his humble way, is what Laine is requesting. The gap between the KHL and the NHL is immense, and there is much Demidov needs to prove in North America.
There is some justification for toning down the hype and just letting Demidov settle in and get used to the playing style of his Canadiens teammates.
Laine, according to NHL analyst Jean-Charles on the JiC show, is the type of fellow who tunes hockey out as soon as he leaves the rink, and therefore, he may never have seen Demidov play.
His skepticism, therefore, may not be personal, but a declaration of what he thinks. Veteran disdain for rookies isn't new. Even LeBron James was not a favorite among seasoned veterans when he entered the league in 2003.
It has zero to do with hate, but this is just the way professional sports work, as veterans want to see rookies prove themselves before making a proper judgment.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 12 | 138 ANSWERS Patrik Laine Unimpressed by Arrival of Canadiens' Newest Phenom Ivan Demidov Do you believe Ivan Demidov will ruin the chemistry in the Canadiens lineup? | ||
| Yes | 48 | 34.8 % |
| No | 90 | 65.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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