Canadiens' Ivan Demidov: Tickles twine for equalizer
Rotowire
Demidov scored a goal on four shots and went plus-2 in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Senators.
The Canadiens couldn't hold onto their 2-0 lead from the first period, but Demidov helped save the day. He scored with 2:23 left in regulation to force overtime, where Alex Newhook capitalized on a turnover for the game-winner. Demidov has four points over his last three games and has shown impressive consistency for a 19-year-old rookie, as he's yet to be held off the scoresheet in consecutive games. Through 12 outings, he has three goals, seven assists, 14 shots on net and a plus-4 rating while filling a middle-six role.
... See More... See Less
Canadiens' Ivan Demidov: Stacks up three more points
Rotowire
Demidov scored a goal and added two power-play assists in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Canucks.
The goal was just the second of the year for Demidov. The 19-year-old has yet to go multiple games in a row without a point, and this was his second multi-point effort of the campaign. He's at nine points (nine shots on net), six PIM and a plus-3 rating through 10 contests. Demidov and Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer are emerging as the early favorites for the Calder Trophy this year. With Demidov rising to the top power-play unit Saturday, his offense should remain steady as long as he can hold that role.
... See More... See Less
Canadiens' Ivan Demidov: Makes impact with two-point effort
Rotowire
Demidov scored a goal and added an assist in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime win over the Kraken.
Both points came on impressive plays from the 19-year-old. Demidov set up the game's opening goal with a slick cross-ice pass to Alex Newhook early in the first period, then sent the game to OT late in the third by out-waiting Joey Daccord and flipping a backhand shot over the netminder after he went down. Demidov has a goal and three points in four games to begin his first full NHL campaign, as the fifth overall pick in the 2024 Draft looks to live up to his preseason hype.
... See More... See Less
Canadiens' Ivan Demidov: Not playing Saturday
Rotowire
Demidov (wrist) won't play in Saturday's preseason finale against Ottawa, per Patrick Friolet of RDS.
Demidov participated in Saturday's morning skate, and he is trending in the right direction to be available for Wednesday's regular-season opener against Toronto. Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen won't play in Saturday's exhibition game, either, and they are projected to be Demidov's linemates going into the 2025-26 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Canadiens' Ivan Demidov: Two points in NHL debut
Rotowire
Demidov produced a goal and an assist in Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to Chicago.
Making his NHL debut, the fifth overall pick in the 2024 Draft wasted no time making an impact for the Canadiens, setting up Alex Newhook for the game's opening tally six minutes into the first period before scoring his first career goal later in the opening frame. The 19-year-old had an impressive 19 goals and 49 points in 65 regular-season games for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL this campaign before coming to North America, and Demidov figures to have a significant role in the playoffs for Montreal -- assuming the Habs don't let a wild-card spot slip through their fingers in the final days of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Canadiens' Ivan Demidov: Debuting Monday
Rotowire
Demidov (not injury related) will be in the lineup against the Blackhawks on Monday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports
Demidov, who was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, will make his highly anticipated debut for the Canadiens. Prior to joining Montreal, the 19-year-old winger put together a fantastic campaign with SKA St. Petersburg, racking up 19 goals and 30 assists in 65 regular-season games. If he can bring that scoring touch to the NHL, Demidov could bolster the Habs' postseason chances.
... See More... See Less
Canadiens' Ivan Demidov: KHL deal voided
Rotowire
Demidov will not return to KHL club SKA St. Petersburg and is expected to join the Canadiens, the Russian team announced Tuesday.
Demidov racked up 19 goals and 30 assists in 65 games for SKA this season and had originally signed with the KHL team for another year. Instead, the 2024 fifth-overall pick is expected to sign an entry-level deal and join the Habs for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
