Top Executive Sheds Light on Ivan Demidov's Future with the Montreal Canadiens
Photo credit: Screenshot
We may now know when the young star will join the NHL after Ivan Demidov was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The young core of the Montreal Canadiens is extremely talented, and even though players like Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson are currently playing in the NHL, the team still has some highly skilled prospects in waiting to breakthrough.
Ivan Demidov, an 18-year-old winger selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, is the most well-known of all of those. Despite his youth, Demidov has demonstrated that he is capable of playing at the highest level in Europe.
Despite only playing in 16 games this season with Ska St. Petersburg and recording a respectable 5 goals and 9 points, there's been a lot of criticism, with some urging him to arrive in North America sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, given his KHL contract, that is just not possible. Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens' executive vice president of hockey operations, has now addressed the matter.
"We are in contact with his team over there, and we obviously would like him to play much more. It's a situation beyond our control and can be frustrating, but we are satisfied with his performance when he gets the ice time he deserves."
When asked if we could see Ivan in Montreal this year, Jeff responded:
"Due to the relationship between the NHL and the KHL, we have to respect his contract over there. He has only one year left on his contract with SKA. We will be patient with him and look forward to seeing him in Montreal."
When asked if we could see Ivan in Montreal this year, Jeff responded:
"Due to the relationship between the NHL and the KHL, we have to respect his contract over there. He has only one year left on his contract with SKA. We will be patient with him and look forward to seeing him in Montreal."
Although it is regrettably not possible for fans hoping to see Demidov in a Canadiens or Laval Rocket uniform this season, Gorton's statement that he only has one year remaining on his current contract suggests that he will be in Montreal shortly after. Demidov has already demonstrated that he is capable of producing at a high level at the age of 18, and with a possible third line spot available for the upcoming season, expect to see him in Montreal alongside injured David Reinbacher as the future star formally arrives in Montreal.
Latest 10 stories
