In the ever-intensifying debate over who belongs in the pantheon of all-time hockey greats, a surprising omission has caught fans and analysts off guard: Ivan Demidov, the young Russian right wing who dazzled the hockey world with his sublime skills and electric presence, has found himself edged out in many discussions about the game’s greatest players.
Demidov, 19, was hailed as the next generational winger coming out of Russia, drawing early comparisons to legends like Pavel Bure and even Connor McDavid. With a career that took off like a rocket, his KHL highlights were appointment viewing. After being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with a top-three pick in 2024, the anticipation for his NHL impact was sky-high.
But now, in the whirlwind of offseason rankings, social media polls, and legacy-defining lists of “Top 50 Players of All Time,” Demidov is conspicuously absent—or relegated to the margins. And fans are asking: Why?
A Star on the Rise
Ivan Demidov’s resume is hardly lacking. By 18, he had already logged top-line minutes in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, outperforming veterans and showcasing a lethal combination of speed, vision, and creativity. His ability to cut through defenders and make impossible plays look routine had scouts drooling.
In international play, he was a standout for Russia’s U18 and U20 squads, averaging nearly two points per game in his last international season. Analysts were convinced he would become a franchise cornerstone once he transitioned to North America.
Indeed, when he finally made his debut with the Canadiens this season, he didn’t disappoint. With 68 points in his rookie year—including 28 goals—Demidov showed why he had been labeled the most skilled Russian prospect since Kirill Kaprizov.
Yet in the feverish conversations around the “best of all time,” he seems to have been prematurely passed over.
Numbers vs. Narrative
One of the reasons Demidov might be overlooked is simple: longevity. Most lists heavily favor players with decades of elite production. Legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, and Sidney Crosby didn’t just dazzle—they did it for 15-20 years. Demidov, by contrast, has only played one NHL season.
“It’s not fair, but that’s how it goes,” said NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes. “You can have all the talent in the world, but until you’ve done it over a decade, people won’t give you that ‘all-time great’ label.”
In a league that values endurance as much as skill, the bar is set higher than ever. Especially for young players, the pressure to deliver not just highlights, but hardware—Stanley Cups, MVPs, scoring titles—is intense.
A Victim of Timing?
Some also argue that Demidov may be a victim of poor timing. In the current NHL landscape, a new crop of stars is surging to the forefront. Connor Bedard has exploded in Chicago. Matvei Michkov is already being compared to a young Ovechkin. And the league is still riding the historic waves of players like McDavid and Auston Matthews.
In this crowd of emerging superstars, Demidov’s brilliance can feel like just one of many. It’s a problem of saturation—there are simply too many young phenoms competing for attention, headlines, and ultimately, legacy.
“He’s like a fifth Beatle right now,” joked TSN’s Darren Dreger. “Everyone knows he’s got the goods, but he’s not in the center of the spotlight just yet.”
The Russian Factor?
Unspoken but present in some corners of the hockey world is the perception challenge that Russian players continue to face. Political tensions, KHL contracts, and general bias have historically influenced how some Russian stars are perceived in North America.
Demidov, despite choosing the NHL path early, still faces questions from some fans and pundits about his “commitment” and “adaptability,” criticisms not always leveled at North American players.
“There’s always been a weird double standard,” said former NHL player Ilya Kovalchuk in an interview. “If a Canadian has a slow rookie start, it’s ‘give him time.’ If a Russian scores 68 points but doesn’t speak fluent English in interviews, it’s ‘he might not adjust.’ It’s tiring.”
What’s Next for Demidov?
Despite being the odd man out in current “best of all time” conversations, Demidov’s journey is just beginning. Most experts agree his ceiling remains sky-high. His rookie season already puts him ahead of most first-year players in NHL history, and with another summer to bulk up and train, expectations for his sophomore year are enormous.
“He’s not just a flashy player,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis. “He’s a worker. He wants to be the best. He’ll get there.”
For now, fans may debate his place in the all-time hierarchy. But if his trajectory continues, Ivan Demidov won’t be on the outside for long.
