HIGHLIGHTS
- The Montreal Canadiens signed top prospect Ivan Demidov to an entry-level deal
- Demidov led the KHL in U20 scoring and will boost the Habs’ playoff push
- Read on for details and analysis of Demidov joining the Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are getting a huge boost to their playoff chances, as top prospect Ivan Demidov has signed his entry-level deal and will join the team for the remainder of the season.
Demidov, the 5th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, has been tearing it up in the KHL this year. The 19-year-old winger led SKA St. Petersburg in scoring with 49 points in 65 games. That point total surpassed Kirill Kaprizov for the most ever by an under-20 player in the KHL.
Now, Demidov will try to bring that elite offensive talent to North America and help the Habs secure a postseason berth. Montreal currently holds the final Wild Card spot in the East, six points up on Detroit. With five games left, they’re hoping Demidov can provide an extra gear.
“My goal for the rest of the season is to adapt to this new style of hockey as quickly as possible and show what I’m capable of,” Demidov said. The youngster has been working on his English and even picking up some French phrases.
Canadiens fans are hoping Demidov can make a Cole Caufield-like impact. Caufield burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2021, catching fire in the playoffs and helping lead Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final.
Expectations will be high, as Demidov and Calder candidate Lane Hutson could form a dynamic young duo for years to come in Montreal. Some are even speculating the Habs could have back-to-back Calder winners if Demidov lives up to the hype.
It’s an exciting time for a franchise in the midst of a rapid rebuild. The Canadiens have assembled an impressive collection of young talent, from Nick Suzuki and Caufield to Juraj Slafkovsky, Kaiden Guhle and more. Adding a potential superstar like Demidov into the mix makes them a must-watch team down the stretch and into the postseason.
The high-flying Habs will look to overwhelm opponents with speed and skill. Demidov is expected to slot into the top-six and could form a dangerous partnership with 47-point scorer Patrik Laine. If the defense can hold up, Montreal will be a scary draw in the playoffs.
Buckle up, Habs fans. Ivan Demidov is coming to town, and the quest for the Cup starts now. The future in Montreal just got a whole lot brighter.
