Montreal Canadiens Secure Top Prospect Ivan Demidov After Early KHL Contract Termination.
The Montreal Canadiens have announced the signing of top prospect Ivan Demidov, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, after SKA St. Petersburg mutually agreed to release him from his KHL contract earlier than expected. This surprising development accelerates Demidov’s arrival in Montreal, potentially allowing him to join the team before the end of the current season.
SKA St. Petersburg confirmed the agreement via social media, stating that Demidov would join the Canadiens this season while retaining his KHL rights should he not establish himself in the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens subsequently announced Demidov’s signing to an entry-level contract, effective immediately, making him eligible for the Stanley Cup Playoffs should the team choose to utilize him.
Demidov’s early release was unexpected, as KHL contracts typically run until later in the spring. His departure was made possible after SKA’s playoff run ended, freeing him from commitments to their other teams.
Demidov’s performance in the 2024-25 KHL season was exceptional, amassing 49 points in 65 games, a record for a U20 player in the league. This achievement surpasses previous records held by Kirill Kaprizov and Matvei Michkov.
Montreal’s General Manager, Kent Hughes, and other Canadiens executives, including head scout Nick Bobrov, visited Demidov in December, which coincided with a significant improvement in his performance.
The Canadiens now have the opportunity to integrate Demidov into their roster, which already features promising young talents like Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Cole Caufield. This development alleviates concerns about Demidov potentially re-signing with SKA, solidifying his commitment to the NHL.
While it remains unclear when Demidov will make his NHL debut, his arrival in Montreal marks a significant milestone for the Canadiens and their future prospects.