Ivan Demidov Breaks Free From KHL, Clears Path to Join Montreal Canadiens
Big news in the hockey world, and if you're a Montreal Canadiens fan, this one’s especially electric— Ivan Demidov is on his way to North America . Yes, you heard that right. After much speculation, the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft has officially terminated his contract with SKA St. Petersburg, opening the door for him to join the Canadiens this season .
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At first, it looked like Demidov’s journey would take a detour through Russia’s VHL or even the MHL—the second-tier and U21 leagues—after SKA’s KHL playoff run ended at the hands of Dynamo Moscow. Reports indicated he might be bouncing between their affiliate teams, squeezing every last bit of development out of his Russian tenure. But today’s news flips the script entirely. SKA and Demidov have come to a mutual agreement: he’s free to pursue NHL action with the Habs immediately. His KHL rights will remain with SKA, so if things don’t click in the NHL right away, he could technically head back. But let’s be honest—Montreal’s rolling out the red carpet.
Why the buzz? Well, Demidov isn’t just any prospect. He smashed the U20 scoring record in the KHL this season with 49 points in 65 games, surpassing the likes of Kirill Kaprizov. That’s elite territory. And if that’s not impressive enough, he was SKA’s leading scorer again in the playoffs, tallying five points in six games before the early exit.
The timing couldn’t be better for Montreal. They’re pushing hard for a playoff spot, and adding Demidov to the mix could be a serious X-factor. Imagine him sliding into the lineup with that high-end offensive instinct, smooth skating, and playmaking vision—he could spark some instant chemistry. Even if he starts lower in the lineup, his skill ceiling is sky-high, and fans are salivating at what he could bring not just this year, but for seasons to come.
So, what now? All signs point to Montreal signing him to his Entry-Level Contract right away. If that happens fast enough, we could actually see Demidov on NHL ice before the regular season ends—and potentially even suiting up for the postseason. The countdown is officially on.
It’s not every day you see a top Russian prospect jump ship mid-year to make his NHL debut. But with Demidov, this moment feels monumental. Montreal may have just added a franchise-altering talent, and hockey fans everywhere are about to find out just how real the hype is.
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