Ivan Demidov is a Special Talent
Canadiens Found Themselves a Superstar in Ivan Demidov
What a debut for Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov. Despite the 4-3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, Demidov left a lasting impact on the fanbase who were waiting for his arrival and a chance to see him dress in a Canadiens sweater.
The Bell Centre was electric. Entering the game against the Blackhawks, many figured this was going to be Demidov's debut when SKA St. Petersburg terminated his contract last week. The anticipation was at a standstill. Everyone knew how skilled Demidov was, but would his skills translate to the NHL level?
If you saw warmups and Demidov’s rookie solo lap, the Bell Centre was packed and the fans were on their feet waiting to get a glimpse of the fifth overall pick from 2024. Remember, this is the same base that went and waited for his arrival at a Toronto airport.
Montreal's fans love their young and skilled players, especially those who can impact a team like Ivan Demidov. It is a special city that knows its hockey, and Demidov even said that after the game on Monday.
Yeah, I love this city and these fans," Demidov said to the media. "It's crazy. But I feel that the fans love me, and it's cool. Yeah, it's amazing."
Those who watched the game saw the skill on display, especially in the first period. There, he recorded his first two NHL points, including his first NHL goal. He was the best player on the Canadiens roster Monday night in the loss.
WELL THAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG! ?
Ivan Demidov picks up his first NHL point with a beautiful assist! pic.twitter.com/hAd53t1qcP
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 14, 2025
Many thought it could not get better with the first point. However, into his fifth shift with the Canadiens, Ivan Demidov tore the roof right off the Bell Centre, recording his first NHL goal.
IVAN DEMIDOV WITH A GOAL AND AN ASSIST IN HIS FIRST FIVE SHIFTS IN THE SHOW ?? pic.twitter.com/ArtdtUI5dE
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 14, 2025
There is always a wrestling connection when it comes to the NHL. Think about the pop he got when the PA announcer at the Bell Centre announced his name. It was the height of the Stone Cold Steve Austin Era. When you heard that glass shatter, the fans went nuts. Similar to skilled players in the Bell Centre.
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Demidov is joining a young and skilled team. You can tell why the Canadiens did not trade their pick last year. When Demidov dropped, GM Kent Hughes, Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton, and the rest of the scouting staff selected him. Ivan Demidov is a special player with special talent.
As Russ Cohen of Sportsology.com, NHLDraftBuzz.com, SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, and The Hockey News told Full Press Hockey, Demidov is a terrific player with a great shot and can skate.
"He's a tremendous skater. The way he kind of circles around the net is terrific. He has a great shot,” Cohen siad. “Up on sportsology.com, I have an old shot map of his. The way he scores is terrific. Whether it's on the power play, he could score five on five.”
There is much to like in Ivan Demidov’s game with the Montreal Canadiens. Again, it is only game one, so this young player has a long career ahead. However, it is not an overreaction to say that he is a special talent, something the Canadiens have not seen in a while.
Montreal has a difference-maker on defense with Lane Hutson. Oh, by the way, Hutson set the new points mark for a rookie defenseman, getting his 65th point of the season to break a tie with Chris Chelios, who had 64 points, recording his 59th assist on Juraj Slafkovsky's tying goal.
Hutson is now one assist away from tying Larry Murphy (60 assists) for the most all-time by a rookie defenseman. You knew Hutson was going to be a special player with the couple of games he played last season.
The feeling is similar for Ivan Demidov. While it is only one game, and there is a lot of hockey left to be played—hopefully playoff games, too—what the young Russian is showing at this level already means everything he went through in the KHL is going to pay off big time in Montreal.
Remember, many people said he was better than Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov. There have also been some comparisons to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov.
One thing is for sure: Ivan Demidov will only get better as a player as he develops and understands the North American game even more.
With this young group of players, the Montreal Canadiens are set up for a nice future. Ivan Demidov is just a part of it.
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