There might not be a player with more anticipation around him entering the 2025-26 season than rookie sensation Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens.
The fifth overall pick from the 2024 NHL draft has drawn a buzz unlike many others, thanks to his brilliant talent and production as a teenager.
Demidov spent the majority of last season with St. Petersburg SKA of the KHL, racking up 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 65 games. Those kinds of numbers are almost unheard of for a player of his age in that league, and it quickly translated over during his brief stint in Montreal at the end of the year.
As he now prepares for his first full season at the NHL level, expectations are sky-high. They won’t be easy for Demidov to live up to, though Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton believes he’s ready to meet them. Here was what he had to say about the rookie winger on Monday, which RDS shared on X (formerly Twitter).
“I don’t think it’s too soon. It wasn’t for Lane to do what he did. It’s not too soon for Ivan to do what he wants to do. So, can he drive a line? We think he can. Can he do it tomorrow? I don’t know; we’ll find out. But I think early signs are pretty good,” Gorton said.
Ivan Demidov sera de toute évidence en uniforme avec les Canadiens lors du début de la saison! Pour ceux qui doutaient… 😉 pic.twitter.com/5VX8x4GsXj
— RDS (@RDSca) September 15, 2025
The 19-year-old made an immediate impact upon joining the big club late last season, tallying two points (one goal, one assist) in the two games he played.
Demidov dazzled at Saturday’s prospects game
In what should surprise nobody, Ivan Demidov’s tremendous skill set was on full display during the Canadiens’ prospects games against the Jets on Saturday.
First, there was this nifty move to send a defender flying into the boards behind his own net.
Ivan Demidov just broke a man’s ankles pic.twitter.com/I1SsAorIl9
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) September 14, 2025
And then this beautiful breakaway goal to tie the game with just 1:52 remaining in the third period.
IVAN DEMIDOV EST BEL ET BIEN RÉVEILLÉ
CAN CONFIRM IVAN DEMIDOV IS AWAKE
WPG 3, MTL 3#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/dvVt44FIs6
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 14, 2025
The city of Montreal and the Canadiens fanbase cannot contain their excitement for this kid, and it’s totally understandable. The Bell Centre was packed and rocking for a rookie showcase, just to see Demidov in action.
There are plenty of others that will make a case for themselves to win the Calder Trophy in 2025-26, but it’s hard to imagine anyone having a better chance than Ivan Demidov.
