MONTREAL — Top prospect Ivan Demidov is coming to Montreal earlier than expected.
Demidov, the Canadiens’ fifth-overall pick in last year’s NHL draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract Tuesday to join Montreal this season after terminating his contract with SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League.
The highly talented Russian forward was anticipated to sign with the Canadiens before next season. He was under contract until May 31 with Saint Petersburg, which was eliminated from the KHL playoffs on Sunday.
The 19-year-old led SKA in scoring with 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 65 games, setting a new KHL record for under-20 players despite having inconsistent ice time.
Montreal fans feverishly followed Demidov from afar this season as the six-foot-one, 192-pound winger with world-class hands piled up highlight-reel plays in Russia.
Now they’ll see it first-hand with the Canadiens approaching a playoff spot.
Montreal had a six-point cushion over the Detroit Red Wings for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot before Tuesday’s matchup between the two Atlantic Division teams. The Canadiens had five games remaining, one fewer than the Red Wings.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2025.
The Canadian Press
