Dementyev: Demidov and Slafkovsky will be the faces of the NHL

Agent Alexei Dementyev expects Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov to become the faces of the NHL, and credits Montreal's planning for it.

"At the moment Montreal have very good strategic planning," Dementyev said. "They have signed long-term contracts with key players who will be productive for several years, Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov. In the near future they will be the faces of the NHL. Demidov has a very good circle around him. He is a strong and very distinctive player."

Dementyev also recalled Sergei Plotnikov, who played on the same SKA line as Demidov. He said he asked Plotnikov what he made of the player.

On 1 July, Demidov and the Canadiens agreed an 8-year extension with a cap hit of $9.15m.

If both players develop as Dementyev expects, Montreal will have their two key forwards under contract for several seasons at a fixed cost.