One of the top young prospects in Russia is coming to the NHL.
On Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced the team has signed forward Ivan Demidov to a three-year, entry-level contract, beginning immediately.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract (2024-25 to 2026-27) with forward Ivan Demidov.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 8, 2025
News release ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/2dy5C9n7Vk
Demidov’s Kontinental Hockey League team, SKA St. Petersburg, announced that the team and Demidov made a “joint decision” to terminate his contract, allowing him to join the Habs this season. SKA still holds Demidov’s KHL rights. So, if he were ever to return to Russia, he could re-sign with the team in St. Petersburg.
The Canadiens took Demidov with the fifth overall pick in last year’s NHL Draft, and it has since led to him having an exceptional season. In 65 games, the 19-year-old posted 19 goals and 30 assists for 49 points, breaking Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov’s record for the most points in the KHL by an Under-20 player. Kaprizov held the previous record of 42 points, which he set during the 2016-17 season with Salavat Yulaeav Ufa.
SKA came up short in the postseason, getting knocked out in the opening round of the Gagarin Cup Playoffs by Dynamo Moscow in six games. Questions rose about Demidov’s future with the team after he wasn’t part of the young players who were set down to join SKA-Neva, the club’s second-tier team in the VHL.
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis assures there are many reasons Habs fans will like Demidov’s game.
“It doesn’t seem to matter whom he plays with or how much ice time he gets – Demidov is as confident as it gets and continues to find ways to produce,” Ellis said. “With two four-point efforts and another three triple nights, Demidov has established himself as one of the most exciting young prospects to come out of Europe in recent memory. Look for Demidov to play a significant role with the Canadiens as soon as October.”
The Canadiens (38-30-9) could use an extra hand in their push for the playoffs. Thanks to their recent stretch of good play. They sit fifth in the Atlantic Division, holding the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Montreal is six points up on the Detroit Red Wings with five games remaining in the regular season.