Canadiens Analysis
IT’S OFFICIAL! Ivan Demidov Signs with Canadiens; Full Analysis
It’s official, the Montreal Canadiens have signed top prospect Ivan Demidov. His entry-level contract kicks in immediately, which means he will burn the first year of the deal, a common situation for elite prospects.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract (2024-25 to 2026-27) with forward Ivan Demidov.
News release ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/2dy5C9n7Vk
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 8, 2025
Beyond the fact that Demidov will add an elite offensive presence to the mix, which would fit nicely on the second line, there’s a lot to like when it comes to the Canadiens’ immediate future.
MUST READ: Canadiens Lineup Decision: Welcome to Montreal, Ivan Demidov
Consider the additions made to the lineup this season. Not only did the Habs graduate Lane Hutson, the top defenceman prospect in the hockey landscape, they also signed Jacob Fowler, one of the best goaltending prospects available.
By signing Demidov, the Habs have now graduated their top prospect at every position within a calendar year. Remember, this is a team that did not draft and develop much talent for over 10 years, with the lone exception being fourth-liner Jake Evans.
The Canadiens also in great shape to make the playoffs, just three years into their rebuild.
Oh, and they’re among the youngest teams in the league.
Once 19-year-old Demidov is in place, they may very well be the youngest club in the league, and the youngest club to every qualify for the playoffs.
They are the second youngest team (25.88) only behind Buffalo. That will change when they add Demidov. They would also be the youngest team in NHL history to make the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/3K1IqFCdeF
— MC (@hanelutson) April 8, 2025
Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks
There’s still a lot of work left to do.
The Canadiens will want to solve the No.2 centre issue, providing Demidov with a high-end centre to ensure he’s in a situation conducive to thriving. They also need to improve their defensive depth, as the pairings tend to struggle unless Hutson is involved.
Hell, they may not even qualify for the playoffs next season, especially if some of their Eastern Conference counterparts stop underperforming.
However, there’s no denying that Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes have done a masterful job planning and executing the rebuild, and they did so while keeping a clear and open line of communication with fans, reassuring them every step along the way.
Full marks must be given to team captain Nick Suzuki as well.
He put all the pressure on his shoulders when Hughes challenged him to bring this team to the next level. Not only did he respond, he also clearly led by example, becoming one of the most productive centres in the league. Keep in mind, the Canadiens stumbled out of the gates this season, leading to a significant amount of stress among fans, as it appeared the team had taken a step backwards.
Of course, responding to adversity has become the theme of the season, and it should serve them well if they make the playoffs, but it also speaks to the fact that Canadiens have had to work harder than most to overcome early deficits.
In other words, I’m not convinced the rebuild is over, not yet, but you’d be hard-pressed to suggest many other NHL clubs have a brighter future than the Montreal Canadiens.
OK, lots to unwrap here…
Finally, we get our elite winger, but…
I’m thinking he does not light the NHL on fire like Lane H did because of one big reason. No matter how “elite” a winger is, he needs a bigtime center to compliment him. No elite winger can do it himself most nights. We have a case in point with us now. P. Laine. Notice he has only a few 5 on 5 goals this season…and his assists/per game numbers are way down compared to previous seasons. Reason? Lack of a true #2 center to make plays, feed him the puck, and bury his own chances.
I hope he kicks ass in these last few games and in the Playoffs. But don’t be surprised if Demi is “limited” in what he can do…until a true #2 center is found.
There are Tavaras, Nelson, Bennett, and Granlund available via free agency. Any one of these is a big upgrade over an injured Dach or Newhook or Dvorak. And we got the $$$ for one this offseason. We get one of these guys, then Demi will cook with gas.
And yes, another top Right Dman is also needed. Pionk or Ekblad, also UFAs, would compliment Lane very nicely on that top line. And we got the $$$ for one of these as well.
Making a trade can work to, but then you have to give up assets. I’d rather spend the $ on UFAs at this point. Its really almost no longer a “rebuild” situation now.
So this can be done!
On that note, I am working on a piece about the No.2 centre issue. I thought I had a few more days, but things moved a little quicker than anyone expected.
You mean you’re not an article producing robot?!
Shame Marc, shame!
haha
To tell you the truth, I’ve actually had to take some time off, just because I desperately needed to take care of a million things in my private life, and I realized the Habs were going to make the playoffs, which means I won’t get a day off in a while. So I reserved two days in May/April, and it really helped.
Anyhow, I’ll try to get that piece out by tomorrow, and I do appreciate the support/patience.
Take at least a week off. We love your work but you have to look out for yourself. There’s a ton of other websites churning product. Some of the best post quality material here and there. You’re not an essential service. No one here will hold it against you. We love your work. A happy Marc is a rested Marc which produces a productive Marc.
Thanks, Marc!
Laine is a really bad example. He can barely play hockey! Nothing to do with his Center .
Demi will dominate.Dvorak is UFA. I’d give Joshua Roy a shot at C with Demidov.
No, he’s NOT. He CAN play hockey. He’s nearly a pt per game for his career. If he played on a top line with Kut or McCin, he’d have a pt per game. He’s 7th on the team in scoring, but would have been 3rd or 4th had he played all season and not been hit by that cheap shot in pre-season…and that’s on a team with no legit center for him. Roy…are U kidding me? Wow…
He’s a poor skater and puck handler. He’s a power play specialist who basically scores with a one timer from the left, top of the circle. This does not make him an exceptional hockey player. Demidov will be much better suited playing with a far more versatile,faster and talented winger. Without a doubt! Yeah Roy and Demidov will be very well suited to each other. The team doesn’t really have suitable candidates to form a line to best suit Demidov.
Good grief the rebuild is nowhere near over!!! The team as it stands is one of, at best, mediocre talent and will have 6 players over 30 yoa!. And a center for Demidov? lol.who ya gonna put on his wing?
You simply no nothing about hockey and this team…what games have you been watching? Go check this, they are the second youngest team (25.88 yrs old) only behind Buffalo. That will change when they add Demidov. They would also be the youngest team in NHL history to make the playoffs.
2nd youngest team with 6 players over 30 certainly tells us sumtin.
1. What about the possibility of Demidov being the 2C for now between Laine and Newhook? I know he played wing this year in the KHL, but wasn’t he a C in the past?
2. On another note, we have had a pretty stellar record in 1-goal games the past 2 seasons. That bodes well for playoff hockey too.
That’s not a bad idea. If they “tinker” with that in these last 4 games of the regular season, then that could be a possibility for the playoffs. But they would need to tinker with it first to see…
Still, I would get a UFA center for next season….let’s not even just slightly have a chance of him getting ruined like Galch, et al. He’s an elite winger – he stays there next season and beyond.
Unless he goes Lane Hutson in the playoffs as a centre! Then we have a “centre controversy” in MTL…..
Tip of the hat to Mr Hughes!!
The implications are very exciting.
I suspect he joins Newhook and Laine on the second unit, allows him a bit of safe harbour while acclimation occurs, but I expect him to have a significant impact there. Hutson drives Laines pp production, I suspect way over half his goals have Hutson as the primary assist. What if Demidov is able to create similar opportunities for Laine or at least multiples of what’s he’s getting now 5v5? That leverages that weapon and he starts scoring much more at even strength. Weve seen enough clips ( thank you Marc) of ivans release on the fly to know that he’s not predictable- he can really wire the puck, so goalies can’t just play the shot or the pass. Demidov will drive significant incremental production from the second line. And what happens when Hughes resolves the 2C opportunity in the next year or so? I think we could become an elite offensive team. I am very excited to see how his skills translate to the NHL and glad the wait is almost over.
Then there is the powerplay. It should climb into a top 10 producing special team from our current rank of 19th because now we have an even better first and second unit. I’m not sure I don’t move Caufield to unit 2 instead of Slafkovsky or at least tinker as Laine has diminished Cole’s shooting profile in the first unit and we would be without a net front guy on unit 1 if Juraj goes to the second unit. Either way, both units get a nice upgrade. Caufield has 3 powerplay goals since the end of November- almost 4.5 months. First 2 months he had 7 as the primary shooter. He’d get way better looks on unit 2 as the centrepiece of that unit.
You know, if I’m the Caps, Habs just got my attention.
Welcome Yvon Demidov,lol
Super excited by this, of course, but you kinda have to feel a little bad for Tyler Thorpe today. Completely overshadowed and forgotten already. I really like that kid.
Also, just imagine if we had been able to build this type of team for Price while he was still playing? It’s a crying shame that we may have a Stanley Cup team in the near future and he won’t ever get his name on the Cup. Although… he’s technically still on the payroll, so….