Nobody has scored 80 points or more for the Montreal Canadiens since Alex Kovalev (35-49-84) achieved the feat during the 2007-08 season - that is until captain Nick Suzuki scored points 80 and 81 of the 2024-25 campaign against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
🫡 Suzy reporting for duty.
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 4, 2025
Nick Suzuki reached the 80-point mark for the first time, posting three straight multi-point outings to help lead the @CanadiensMTL to three consecutive wins as our NHLPA Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/XbYFXiHq0S
It's likely that Suzuki will eclipse 84 points, he has six games after the Flyers and Habs clash on Saturday night at the Bell Centre. But let's shift our focus to the guy who is expect to score 84 points in a down year. Let's talk about Ivan Demidov, who has high hopes of being the next best Russian player to sport the CH crest, and play for the 24-time Stanley Cup champions.
Montreal has had some tremendously talented players over the years, and since 1996-97, my birth year was '96, the Habs haven't had a player more talented than Kovalev. His puck skill and stickhandling were top-notch, and his skating and vision powered a magician with the puck. No. 27 needed very little space, and he was bullish enough to get his hands dirty to gain any that he might have needed.
Falling in love with the Habs for me in the early 2000s - meant I got to watch the Habs two Russians - No. 79 Andrei Markov on the blueline, and No. 27 Kovalev on the wing. The duo were dynamite together, and it's crazy to think that Kovalev's best days were behind him at that point.
The Togliatti, Russia product came to Montreal after playing 11 seasons split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers. It is with the Penguins, where Kovalev played alongside the likes of Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. In 2000-01, Kovalev had his best statistical season of his career in 79 games (44-51-95) his production was good enough for second on the team behind Jagr (52-69-121).
Back to Montreal, however, where he has the distinction of scoring his second-best season from a point production standpoint of his career. I love Kovalev, and when I find a jersey of his that doesn't cost me $500, I will be purchasing it.
But I think that Demidov is going to come in and turn heads right away with the Habs - a 100-point season feels like a guarantee. Which would push him past Kovalev, who in my eyes has to be the guy he looks up to, as a Russian kid with the Habs. Sure Nikita Kucherov and Jack Hughes are his favourites, but Kovalev was a stud with the Habs.
Demidov, 19, was born December 10, 2005 - meaning he was a newborn when Kovalev played his first full season with the Habs. Kovalev scored 84 points in 2007-08 - Demidov was two years old. It's unlikely he would remember it - but I don't think Kovalev will hold that against him.
Who better to congratulate Demidov when he finally pulls the famous Bleu, blanc and rouge CH sweater over his shoulders for the first time than Kovalev?
It feels like a great passing of the torch, and I think that if anybody should wear No. 27 in Montreal, it's Demidov. Unless of course, he wishes to wear No. 86 or No. 91 - though he may need to strike a deal with Oliver Kapanen for his number.
After scoring 49 points (19-30-49) in 65 games, Demidov has followed up his impressive KHL regular season with five points (3-2-5) through five playoff games. Including two points (1-1-2) in SKA's most recent must-win game.
David Reinbacher skating at Habs practice facility
Laval Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent announced that David Reinbacher suffered a minor injury on March 19 against the Toronto Marlies.
Whatever the injury was, thankfully he was able to skate on Friday at the Habs practice facility in Brossard, Quebec.
David Reinbacher skated in Brossard yesterday 🙏 pic.twitter.com/g9Cgd8fyok
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 5, 2025
Reinbacher is a difference-maker with the puck on his stick - because his vision and instincts are on par with many NHL defensemen, who've played long careers in the league.
I think it's smart to handle his return from injury with caution, but I do believe that he needs to get a few games in before the playoffs.
I think that he could play himself onto the Rocket top pair, and be on their top power play and penalty kill unit.
I am high on Reinbacher, and I believe that he will play for the Habs next season - but first he is going to show what he can do in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.