- Agent Dan Milstein says Ivan Demidov pushed for the eight-year deal and wanted it signed fast
- The $73.2 million extension starts in 2027-28 and carries a $9.15 million cap hit
- Read below for what Milstein told the Montreal Gazette about the money his client passed on
Ivan Demidov could have held out for a bigger number. His agent says he never wanted to.
Dan Milstein talked to Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette this weekend, and he did not pretend the price on the eight-year extension was his idea.
“If I had it my way, the deal probably would have looked a little different. Ivan basically said he wanted the eight-year deal. He wanted it done quickly and wanted to leave room (financially) for Montreal to get even better.”
Our Sunday post put that line between the 20-year-old winger and the agent who wishes he had argued longer:
Asked why a player that young would take less, the agent answered with Demidov’s own words.
“His exact words were, ‘We’re in a great situation. I feel like we’re going to be winning for many years.’ He wanted to leave money on the table so they can sign other players.”
He signed on July 1, the first day he was eligible. Eight years, $73.2 million, a $9.15 million cap hit that kicks in for 2027-28.
An $11.5 million signing bonus is attached to it, plus a 10-team no-trade clause over the final three years.
Two days later, Anaheim matched Philadelphia’s five-year, $90 million offer sheet on Leo Carlsson. Colorado gave Cale Makar eight years and $163.2 million. With the cap sitting at $104 million, Montreal’s number looks better every week.
Milstein pointed to where his client lands when the deal runs out.
“My client, at the age of 28 or 29, will be able to sign whatever deal’s available at the time. That will probably be four or five times bigger than what it is today. He’s grateful and gracious. There are no regrets.”
The raise came fast because the production did. Demidov played all 82 games as a rookie for 19 goals and 43 assists, more points than any other first-year player in the league.
Matthew Schaefer still took the Calder unanimously. Demidov answered with three goals and nine points in the spring as Montreal reached the Eastern Conference final, where Carolina closed it out in five.
Take a look at the night the Bell Centre figured out what it had, his NHL debut in April 2025:
Kent Hughes has roughly $9.7 million in space and no new forward to show for the summer. Kirill Marchenko, a Milstein client and a friend of Demidov’s, has been tied to Montreal all summer at a $3.85 million hit.
Demidov handed Hughes the room. Hughes still has to spend it.
