Top prospect Ivan Demidov to suit up for Canadiens in debut game against Blackhawks

The Canadian Press

· Posted: Apr 14, 2025 11:49 AM EDT | Last Updated: 11 minutes ago

Top imaginable Ivan Demidov volition marque his highly anticipated NHL debut Monday erstwhile the Montreal Canadiens big the Chicago Blackhawks with a accidental to clinch a playoff spot.

Demidov skated connected the close helping of Montreal's 3rd enactment alongside centre Alex Newhook and winger Joel Armia astatine Monday's greeting skate.

Demidov had been expected to articulation the Canadiens adjacent season, but signed an entry-level declaration past week aft helium was abruptly released by SKA Saint Petersburg of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League much than a period earlier his declaration ran out.

The 5th wide prime successful past year's NHL draught — considered possibly the champion imaginable yet to play a crippled successful the league — led SKA successful scoring with 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) successful 65 games this season, mounting a caller KHL grounds for under-20 players contempt having inconsistent crystal time.

Canadiens fans person been buzzing with excitement since Demidov's arrival.

The 19-year-old Russian with dazzling endowment touched down connected Canadian ungraded Thursday astatine Toronto's Pearson Airport, wherever a ample radical of Habs faithful eagerly waited to greet him.

Many much watched from home. Montreal-based podcaster and vigor big Tony Marinaro streamed Demidov's airdrome accomplishment unrecorded connected X, formerly Twitter, and reached a precocious of 175,000 viewers.

Demidov skated with the Canadiens' extras Saturday greeting astatine Scotiabank Arena but sat retired Montreal's matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs aboriginal that day.

His introduction into the lineup comes astatine a clip of precocious stakes for Montreal.

The Canadiens (39-31-10) held the 2nd chaotic paper successful the Eastern Conference with 88 points, 3 much than the Columbus Blue Jackets with 2 games remaining for some teams.

Montreal has already missed 2 opportunities to clinch aft back-to-back losses to the Ottawa Senators and Toronto. Columbus, the lone different squad that remains successful the hunt, has won 4 straight.

The lowly Blackhawks (23-46-11) were second-last successful the wide NHL standings. Montreal wraps up its regular play astatine location Wednesday against the playoff-bound Carolina Hurricanes.