"Demidov has "some defensive acumen"... what? No he's a defensive issue in the KHL and as much as I think SKA has been over the top with it, its part of the reason for his low minutes, and thats playing on the wing, not at centre."
Have read it more than once that he has decent defensive awareness. If I come across an article mentioning it again, I will post it for you. The chief reason for his low minutes is petty coach/manager/owner Rotenberg "punishing" Demidov for wanting to leave the KHL after this season is over. It's curious how Demidov's ice-time substantially rose *immediately* after the Habs brass paid a visit.
"But to think hes immediately gonna be an NHL centre and on a line with two other defensive liabilities in Ehlers and Laine. Wow. That line might set records for xGA and goals against."
Might not also. I think their offense would outweigh their defensive shortcomings. Demidov would be no worse defensively than Dach - that would be a difficult feat. And if not Dach, then who? Cozens? Mittelstadt? Neither of those are defensive stalwarts.
"Then you have Newhook at centre, position that the team wont put him at this year."
No, because they using him to fill out their top-6 and hoping in vain he can be a solution there, as they paid a fairly big price to get him to play such a role. When he played center briefly last year, I found he was better. 3rd line center would give him even more favorable matchups.
"Yeah i dont see that as a lineup."
Fair enough.