Ivan Demidov: The Canadiens’ Secret Weapon for Playoff Magic
So let’s talk about this kid—Ivan Demidov. If you’re a Habs fan, you’ve probably already heard the buzz, but it’s worth breaking down just how special this 19-year-old might be for Montreal as they enter the playoffs. Honestly, the timing couldn’t be better for a wildcard like him to enter the scene.
From the moment Demidov laced up his skates in the NHL, it was clear the talent was there. And now, even though he’s barely dipped his toes into the league, people are seriously asking: can he actually make an impact in the playoffs this year? Based on recent examples—and Demidov’s own track record—the answer might be yes.
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Sure, it’s rare to see someone jump straight into the NHL playoffs with so little North American pro experience. Most guys need at least a full season in the AHL or a bunch of NCAA games before they even sniff the playoffs. But Demidov isn’t just “some guy.” This is a player who, last year in the MHL, absolutely dominated the postseason with 28 points in 17 games and led his team to the championship. He wasn’t just good—he was named MVP.
Then this season in the KHL, he put up five points in six playoff games for SKA Saint Petersburg. That series didn’t end the way he’d hoped, but get this—he was averaging over 17 minutes per game, including one marathon where he logged more than 27 minutes. That’s not just promising. That’s elite usage.
And we’ve seen young guns do this before. Chris Kreider, Charlie McAvoy, Cale Makar, Cole Caufield—each of them jumped in at the end of a season and found a way to contribute in the playoffs. Demidov could very well be next on that list. In fact, Caufield’s own playoff debut in 2021 still lives rent-free in Habs fans’ heads, and that experience wasn’t too different from what Demidov is stepping into now.
But what really sets Demidov apart isn’t just his skill—it’s his poise. He’s already played in high-pressure situations overseas, and even now, nothing seems to faze him. Just a few days after wrapping up his KHL season, he’s in Montreal, getting massive cheers at the Bell Centre, and boom—two points in his first period. That’s how you make a first impression.
Even Martin St-Louis is impressed. He’s called Demidov “one of the only guys who didn’t seem stressed” as the Canadiens clawed their way into the playoffs. It’s a different kind of maturity, one that you don’t often see in someone this young.
Now, with the Capitals waiting and the Canadiens’ power play in desperate need of a jolt, don’t be surprised if Demidov becomes the X-factor. Coach St-Louis even hinted at using him as a "new card" on the first power-play unit. And with that kind of confidence from the bench, it’s hard not to get excited.
Playoff hockey is chaotic, emotional, and intense. But every now and then, it becomes the perfect stage for a young star to arrive. Ivan Demidov might just be that guy—and if he is, we could be witnessing the start of something seriously special.
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