Canadiens Camp Notes: Ivan Demidov Out Again

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Canadiens Camp Notes: Ivan Demidov Out Again

Originally posted on The Sick Podcast | By Nick Lariviere | Last updated Sep 24, 2026 3:55 PM ET

For the second day in a row, forward Ivan Demidov had a therapy day and wasn’t on the ice at Montreal Canadiens training camp.

Demidov was replaced by Kirby Dach on his line with Oliver Kapanen and Juraj Slafkovsky during Thursday’s on-ice session. When asked about an update on Demidov’s status, Martin St. Louis kept it brief with the media.

“Demidov is day-to-day, I think?” St. Louis told reporters.

Vice President of Hockey Communications Chantal Machabée jumped in and corrected St. Louis by saying, “Therapy Day.”

The media pressed further on whether it was normal to have two therapy days in a row, leaving Machabée to defend Demidov’s status.

“No, it happens sometimes. Nothing there,” said Machabée.

Following practice, Arpon Basu reported that Ivan Demidov is nursing a bruise from a blocked shot during Monday night’s preseason game in Trois-Rivieres. He also stated that Demidov is expected to return to the ice on Friday and play in Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

Ivan Demidov is nursing a bruise after blocking a shot in Trois-Rivières on Monday, which is why he’s been off the ice the last two days (three if you include the day off Tuesday). I’m told he’s expected to skate tomorrow and play Saturday.

— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 24, 2026

The Montreal Canadiens held their first Intrasquad scrimmage of training camp on Thursday. Team Red walked away with a 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Jayden Struble, Tyler Thorpe, and an empty netter by Josh Anderson. The scrimmage included one 20-minute period of 5-on-5, before playing another eight minutes at 4-on-4 to close out the game.

In case you missed it and would like to watch it, the scrimmage is available on YouTube.