Canadiens ink standout rookie Ivan Demidov to 8-year extension
Montreal locks up its franchise cornerstone with an eight-year deal for the NHL's 2023-24 Rookie of the Year runner-up, ending months of speculation.
Montreal locks up its franchise cornerstone with an eight-year deal for the NHL's 2023-24 Rookie of the Year runner-up, ending months of speculation.
The Montreal Canadiens have locked up their future by signing Ivan Demidov to an eight-year contract extension. The deal, finalized after Demidov’s rookie season in which he finished as runner-up for NHL Rookie of the Year, cements him as the franchise’s cornerstone for the prime of his career. Demidov’s rookie campaign was a revelation.
He quickly established himself as a dynamic offensive talent, finishing second in Calder Trophy voting with 62 points in 79 games. The Canadiens, who selected him 16th overall in the 2023 draft, moved swiftly to secure his services long-term, avoiding the risk of losing him to free agency. 5 million—reflects Demidov’s rising market value and Montreal’s urgency to lock in a generational talent before his price tag exploded.
The deal includes a no-movement clause starting in the third year, giving Demidov control over his future while ensuring he remains a Hab for the foreseeable future. Montreal’s front office is effectively betting on a steep performance curve. By swallowing the risk of an eight-year term, the Canadiens bypass the traditional "bridge contract" route that often sees players explode in value before their second deals.
This structure absorbs a higher cap hit now to secure what projects to be a below-market rate for a first-line winger by the deal's midpoint. It is a high-stakes gamble that ignores the possibility of regression, banking instead on Demidov’s trajectory mirroring the elite production of his comparables. Strategically, this move accelerates the timeline for a franchise that has been mired in a multi-year rebuild.
Locking in Demidov removes the uncertainty that typically plagues developing rosters, allowing management to aggressively pursue complementary pieces rather than hoarding draft capital. The presence of a guaranteed elite scorer changes the calculus for free agents considering Montreal; it transforms the team from a destination for prospects into a potential landing spot for established veterans seeking a supporting role in a rising offense. The contract structure mirrors recent elite extensions like Connor McDavid’s $100 million deal in Edmonton, though Demidov’s AAV is lower due to his draft position and remaining service time.
It also aligns with the Canadiens’ strategy of locking in young talent early, as seen with Cole Caufield’s five-year extension in 2023. 5 million deal signed by Mathew Barzal in 2024. General manager Kent Hughes framed the move as a commitment to winning.
“We see Ivan as the centerpiece of our franchise moving forward,” Hughes said. ” The Canadiens’ roster now features a top-line scorer with elite offensive upside, a rarity in today’s NHL. The no-movement clause ensures Demidov’s long-term buy-in, a critical factor for a player of his offensive caliber.
It also signals Montreal’s confidence in their development pipeline, as Demidov becomes the third homegrown forward to ink a long-term deal under Hughes, following Caufield and Sean Monahan. This trio could form the nucleus of a high-scoring top six for years to come. What’s next: The Canadiens will enter training camp with Demidov as their top-line right winger, flanked by established forwards.
The focus shifts to complementary acquisitions, with the club eyeing a playoff push within the next two seasons. The extension also frees Montreal to pursue mid-tier free agents or draft picks without sacrificing long-term flexibility. Read at ESPN
The Habs are betting big on Demidov as their future face, trading short-term flexibility for long-term stability. Locking him up before his value peaks gives Montreal a generational offensive talent to build around, while shifting the narrative from rebuild to contention. The move signals intent: Montreal won’t wait for free agency to shape its core. It also reflects a broader NHL trend where teams prioritize cost certainty by extending young stars early, reducing the risk of overpaying in a market where elite forwards command nine-figure deals.
ESPNespn.comBy Greg WyshynskiJul 1, 4:57 PMen
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