Montreal, Quebec – The Montreal Canadiens are buzzing with excitement as top prospect Ivan Demidov is en route to North America, with his NHL debut anticipated next week. This news follows Demidov’s impressive U-20 season in the KHL and his subsequent signing of a three-year entry-level deal with the Habs.
According to reports from RG’s Marco D’Amico, who broke the news, Demidov is currently traveling from Turkey, where he finalized his Canadian work visa, and is expected to land in Toronto later today, Thursday, April 10th.
«After a brief stop in Turkey to finalize his Canadian work visa, the highly touted Russian forward is officially en route to Toronto,» D’Amico reported. «Demidov is expected to land in the city later today, Thursday, April 10, marking a major step in his transition to the NHL.»
Following his arrival, Demidov will spend Friday acclimating and resting before joining the Canadiens in Toronto on Saturday for their game against the Maple Leafs. D’Amico also confirmed that Demidov’s highly anticipated NHL debut is expected to take place next Monday at the Bell Centre against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Demidov, selected fifth overall by the Canadiens in the 2024 NHL Draft, showcased his talent in the KHL, scoring 19 goals and leading his team with 49 points in 65 games. He also added five points in six playoff games.
«Most likely, I’ll have time to play in the regular season for Montreal,» Demidov stated. «My goal for the rest of the season is to adapt to this new style of hockey as quickly as possible and show what I’m capable of. …I’ve started to understand the pro game better. I read the play better, both in the offensive and defensive zones. I’ve adapted to adult-level hockey.»
The Canadiens, who are on the verge of securing a playoff berth for the first time in four years, are experiencing a surge of success, with young stars like Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki leading the charge. With a strong recent record and a potential playoff matchup against the Washington Capitals looming, Demidov’s arrival could provide a significant boost to the team’s postseason aspirations.
The excitement surrounding Demidov’s debut is palpable, and fans are eagerly anticipating his impact on the Canadiens’ playoff push.