Ivan Demidov hasn't been playing very much this season. 

The Montréal Canadiens draft pick, in his final season with SKA over in the KHL, has averaged just six minutes per game over his past five contests. 

It's frustrating for Demidov's development, especially for the Canadiens, but par for the course with SKA when it comes to players that aren't committed to the long-term KHL plan. 

Ice time goes to loyal veterans while youngsters sit on the bench, no matter the guarantees the team may have given to NHL organizations.

It's an old-school mentality, and it makes less and less sense every year in the shifting hockey landscape. Younger players are more skilled than ever. They often represent a team’s best chance at competing and winning—not just in the future, but right now. SKA should have the