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Expert Explains Why Ivan Demidov Shouldn't Be a First-Liner for the Canadiens Yet

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Manuel Meza | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 7:12 PM ET

The Montreal Canadiens are having an excellent start to the 2025-26 NHL season, with a record of 6-2-0.

Martin St. Louis's team defeated the Calgary Flames (1-6-1) by a score of 2-1 in their last game on Wednesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Among the players with the most points are Nick Suzuki (11), Cole Caufield (8), and Lane Hutson, who is tied with Ivan Demidov (6).

Demidov, 19, recorded 49 points in 65 games last season with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, and this season he started on the right foot in the NHL, with one goal and five assists in the first eight games.

However, an expert believes he should not yet be a front-liner.

Canadiens' Ivan Demidov Makes His Linemates Better

The Hockey News reporter Karine Hains pointed out in one of her recent articles that, despite Demidov's good performance, he should not yet accompany Suzuki, 26, on the first line.

The reason is that Demidov makes his linemates, Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen, play better, which significantly benefits the team.

"Is it time to put Demidov on the first line? I don’t think so," Hains wrote. "Not that he doesn’t have the talent to play there, we’ve seen he can have some definite chemistry with Suzuki, but right now, he makes his own linemates better, and the Canadiens have two very effective lines on the attack, so why mess with that?"

Newhook, 24, and Kapanen, 22, have five and four points so far, respectively, forming, along with Demidov, one of the most competitive second lines in the league.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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