The Montreal Canadiens were in a tricky situation when it came to the contract of Ivan Demidov. For starters, it seemed like Roman Rotenberg and SKA St. Petersburg had no interest in terminating his contract early and allowing him to come to North America. It also seemed like a short-sighted idea for the Canadiens, as bringing him over this season burned one year off his entry-level deal. However, with Montreal on the verge of a playoff spot, the Canadiens took the plunge and signed Demidov to the deal.
After many months of disdain from Canadiens fans to SKA, it's a good move on their part to allow their player the opportunity to follow his dream. Their head coach was playing tough all season with not wanting Demidov to leave the team, but in the end, he honored the wishes of his star player. The team made a point of saying in the release that Demidov will return to Russia if he doesn't find his footing with the NHL team, but I think we all know he will be just fine.
Thank you, Ivan đź‘Ź
— SKA Ice Hockey Club (@hcSKA_News) April 8, 2025
SKA and Ivan Demidov have taken a joint decision which will see the forward join the Montreal Canadiens this season. His KHL rights will remain with SKA. He will return to Saint Petersburg if he doesn’t gain a foothold in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/CsyMPKvE7k
Fans speculated all season about Demidov coming to North America. However, the important thought they were leaving out was that the Canadiens' front office may not have wanted him to come this early. By all predictions, Demidov will be a star in the NHL, and bringing him over in 2024-25 brings him one year closer to cashing in and signing his long-term extension.
Ivan Demidov is going to make an immediate impact in Montreal pic.twitter.com/gaOl8wOI16
— World Hockey Report (@worldhockeyrpt) April 8, 2025
I don't pretend I'm as bright as Kent Hughes and the front office, but it's safe to assume the Canadiens wouldn't have signed Demidov this season if they were in a draft lottery position again. If he is as good as advertised, Demidov could have come over for the last few games of the season, sacrificed the Canadiens a few spots in the draft order, burned a year of his deal, and earned nothing except a couple extra games of experience.
Demidov can thank his new Montreal teammates for receiving this early contract. If they hadn't made their miraculous run out of the 4 Nations Face-Off, he would not have signed his contract until after the season was over. However, with Montreal a couple of wins away from clinching a playoff berth, Demidov will get the chance to play meaningful games at the Bell Centre in 2024-25.
SKA coach Roman Rotenberg said today on BPM Sports that Ivan Demidov personally asked him to go to the NHL to “show off his skills” for the Habs & play against Alex Ovechkin & the Washington Capitals in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/qt8rLOHqif
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 8, 2025
The players better hope they finish the job and earn that playoff spot before he reports to North America. It'll be a slap in the face to the Canadiens' front office if they relinquish that spot now, as bringing over Demidov would become a massive mistake. This move signifies that Hughes and the front office have unlimited confidence in their roster, and that's a good sign for the Canadiens.
The last time the Canadiens signed a player late in the year for a playoff run like this was Cole Caufield in 2021. We know the Cinderella run that spiralled from that move, and there's a chance Demidov makes an even more significant impact than Caufield that spring. Instead of Demidov debuting next season, he is introduced to the league in one of the most intense, exciting sports atmospheres: Canadiens playoff games at the Bell Centre.