Demidov left Tuesday's game with a wrist injury, but the Canadiens said he was pulled for "precautionary reasons." Demidov was also held out of the lineup for Saturday's preseason finale, but there's no concern for his availability for the season opener on Wednesday.

Demidov did not finish Tuesday's preseason game but appears to be on the mend after practicing on Thursday. It's unclear if the 19-year-old will play in Montreal's preseason finale on Saturday but his availability for their season opener seems promising.

With Montreal off on Wednesday, Ivan Demidov's injury update will have to wait until Thursday after the 19-year-old prospect left Tuesday's preseason game vs. Ottawa following a slash from Nick Cousins. Demidov is the current favourite to win the Calder Trophy after putting up 19 goals and 49 points in SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) last season.

Demidov was selected No.5 overall in last summer's NHL Draft and was fantastic in the KHL this season. The 19-year-old led St. Petersburg SKA with 49 points (19G / 30A) in 65 games. Demidov should make an instant impact in the Canadiens' middle-6 and should be added immediately in keeper/dynasty leagues.

Demidov was the fifth-overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday. The 19-year-old forward spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in the KHL, tallying 49 points (19G / 30A) in 65 games.