Hughes on the status of the rebuild and where the Canadiens are at in their season:
We’re thrilled to have [Demidov] here, but obviously, at the moment the focus is on trying to finish off, with two games left in an 82-game season. Credit to the coaches and the players for getting themselves into this position. We’d be thrilled [to make the playoffs]. It’s just that much more experience for our group as we continue to grow.
Hughes on what about Demidov’s skill level excites him the most:
When we selected him, it was mostly on video. Going over and having the opportunity to see him live is certainly different. He has a unique blend of skill, hockey sense, deception; his ability to move laterally is really unique to me. I always thought that there are certain players that have that ability; some do it at such high speeds. I think [with] his lateral movement, he covers more territory, let’s say east-to-west, in control of the puck. So, let’s see how it is. He’s going to adjust to a different game of hockey here.
Hughes on how he feels Demidov will handle adjusting to a new country, language, hockey system, and more:
I think he’ll have a lot of things to adjust to. He’s a 19-year-old who moves here and left his family behind, so I imagine there a lot of things for him to adjust to. I still think he’s a young man who’s quite mature for his age, but it remains to be seen how we’re able to manage it all.
Hughes on how much interest there has been in Demidov’s arrival:
It’s another part of what makes Montreal the best hockey city in the world. We see it often with soccer around the world. When there’s a passion, there are other aspects that come with it. But, I think I have the impression that Ivan has felt the welcome to Montreal.
Hughes on Reinbacher’s upcoming return to play for the Rocket:
I believe he’s scheduled to play on Wednesday, so we’re just trying to be very careful with his knee and how it reacts. We’re being extremely cautious with David, given his age and we don’t want any setbacks or anything of that nature. But as far as I know, there are no structural issues or anything of that nature.
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