MONTREAL — Fresh off a thrilling postseason run that saw the Montreal Canadiens push all the way to the Eastern Conference Final, the franchise has solidified its long-term core. General Manager Kent Hughes secured a major milestone by locking up forward Ivan Demidov to an eight-year, $73.2 million extension alongside goaltender Jakub Dobes (three years, $16.07 million). However, it is the selfless motivation behind Demidov’s deal that has captured the attention of the hockey world.
Why Ivan Demidov Decided to Take a Team-Friendly Discount
According to player agent Dan Milstein, the 20-year-old rising star intentionally prioritized roster depth over maximizing his personal payday. Despite holding significant leverage following an impressive rookie campaign, Demidov instructed his management team to finalize a deal that left ample salary cap flexibility for the front office.
«If I had it my way, the deal probably would have looked a little different,» Milstein revealed. «Ivan basically said he wanted the eight-year deal. He wanted it done quickly and wanted to leave room financially for Montreal to get even better. His exact words were, ‘We’re in a great situation. I feel like we’re going to be winning for many years.'»
The decision leaves the Canadiens with nearly $10 million in available cap space as they prepare for training camp and their preseason opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sept. 19.
A Rising Cornerstone Positioned for Long-Term Success
Selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Demidov quickly established himself as a dynamic offensive presence. After appearing in two regular-season games at the tail end of the 2024-25 campaign, the Russian forward skated in all 82 regular-season games during 2025-26, recording 19 goals and 43 assists before adding nine postseason points.
Milstein noted that by committing to an eight-year term early, Demidov aligns himself with the team’s culture while positioning himself for another major contract in his prime. «My client, at the age of 28 or 29, will be able to sign whatever deal’s available at the time,» Milstein stated, adding that Demidov remains «grateful and gracious» for the organization’s faith in him after just 84 career games.