Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
When the Montreal Canadiens walked up on stage in Las Vegas at the 2024 NHL draft, the biggest name on the board was Russian winger Ivan Demidov. An uber-talented, highly skilled playmaker who has the flash and flair of the most exciting players in the world while bringing the drive and motor that makes good players great. The decision was easy for the Canadiens, selecting Demidov who instantly became the most intriguing prospect that they’ve had in at least a decade.
When interviewed in his post-selection scrum in Vegas, the charismatic young forward was saying all of the right things. He spoke about bringing the same “Mamba Mentality” to Montreal that NBA legend Kobe Bryant once brought to Los Angeles. He said that he’s ready to be the game-breaking talent that Montreal has been missing. He made jokes that he was already learning French, parroting “Bonjour” with a laugh.
Most importantly, Demidov said that after the 2024-25 season where he is contracted to play with St. Petersburg in the KHL, that he will be coming to North America to join the Montreal Canadiens.
Habs fans were ecstatic with the addition to their prospect pool. They knew that the year wait would be well worth the reward because the allure of Demidov’s talent was nearly unknown to the fanbase. Fans were prepared to post every point on X and put together highlight mixtapes for TikTok and Instagram. There would be no moment of intrigue that would go undocumented thanks to the incredibly passionate fans of Le Habitants.
Demidov showed out in KHL pre-season action, posting great results and looking like a dangerous offensive player for St. Petersburg. His agility, skill, and playmaking were legitimate difference-making factors for the KHL club. Worries about Demidov’s playing time in his final KHL season looked to be a bit misguided as his talent was winning out and earning him regular reps and good offensive opportunities.
Through his first nine games in the KHL, Demidov was averaging just over 13 minutes of action every night. He played at least 10 minutes on the low end and reached 16 minutes on one occasion. Demidov recorded seven points in those first nine games, highlighted by a four-point night in the game which saw him given the most ice time. Demidov certainly looked to be earning his roster spot and a regular shift throughout the season’s first month. His impressive play earned him KHL Rookie of the Month.
As the…