Ivan Demidov, SKA Saint Petersburg (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Montreal Canadiens Sign Ivan Demidov to Entry-Level Deal

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Jacob Billington | Last updated Apr 8, 2025 3:30 PM ET

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward prospect Ivan Demidov to a three-year entry-level contract and he is expected to join the team shortly.

Thank you, Ivan

SKA and Ivan Demidov have taken a joint decision which will see the forward join the Montreal Canadiens this season. His KHL rights will remain with SKA. He will return to Saint Petersburg if he doesn’t gain a foothold in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/CsyMPKvE7k
— SKA Ice Hockey Club (@hcSKA_News) April 8, 2025

Demidov, who was selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, has been one of the top prospects outside of the NHL. He finished out his season in Russia, playing with SKA St. Petersburgh, and has been released from his contract in the Kontinetal Hockey League (KHL).

Despite being released from his KHL contract to make the move to the NHL, SKA will still retain Demidov’s rights in the league, if he should look for a return to Russia’s top league.

Ivan Demidov, SKA Saint Petersburg (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

In 65 KHL games this season, Demidov scored 19 goals and 49 points. This point total surpassed Kirill Kaprizov for the most points by any player under the age of 20 in one season. What Demidov did this season in Russia is unheard of, and he could be a huge impact for the Canadiens as they look to clinch their playoff berth over the next few games.

Demidov has an excellent skill set. He has excellent puck-handling abilities and playmaking skills and should fit into the Canadiens’ top-six as soon as this season.

The Canadiens have a very strong group of young players. Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki have already established themselves, and don’t necessarily fall into the “young player” category anymore, but with Juraj Slafkovsky, Oliver Kapanen, Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, and others making impacts this season, they have a very strong future ahead of them.

It isn’t just about the future. Not many people had the Canadiens making the playoffs in 2025, but they are currently in, and have a promising path to making the playoffs. They have a lot of great pieces, and could be a team that will look to upset one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and the hope is that Demidov can be a part of that.