The pre-season hype surrounding Ivan Demidov was immense. Pegged by most as the favourite to win the Calder Trophy, the 19-year-old entered Montreal with the weight of a franchise’s expectations on his shoulders. Eight games into his rookie campaign, it’s safe to say he isn’t just meeting those expectations; he’s fundamentally altering the team’s offensive landscape.
The Montreal Canadiens are sitting at 6-2-0, good for first place in the Atlantic Division in this young season, and while Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are carrying their share of the load, the rookie is a primary catalyst for this early success. He isn’t just flashing potential; he’s delivering game-changing, elite-level moments.
Putting a Stamp on the Game
If you need a single data point to understand Demidov’s impact, look no further than the 2-1 overtime win against the Calgary Flames on October 22. With the game on the line, Demidov “put his stamp on this result,” as one observer noted.
The play was a masterpiece of patience, vision, and skill. Taking a pass just inside the offensive blue line, Demidov cut to the middle, drawing the defender’s attention. But instead of forcing a low-percentage shot, he applied the brakes, skated backward toward the boards, and held the puck. He protected it, scanned the ice, and waited… and waited… until Mike Matheson activated from the point and found open ice. Demidov then threaded a perfect, cross-ice pass onto Matheson’s tape for the one-timer and the win.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Earlier in that same game, he made a quick, high-skill pass to find Oliver Kapanen for a quality chance and later drove the puck directly into the crease himself for a shot.
This is what elite players do. They don’t just participate in the play; they dictate its terms. And in the game’s most critical moment, the rookie dictated the outcome.
The ‘Demidov Effect’ on the Second Line
Perhaps Demidov’s most significant contribution thus far isn’t even on his own scoresheet, but on his linemates’. His presence on the second line with Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen has been transformative. For the first time in recent memory, the Canadiens can roll two legitimate scoring lines, a luxury that fundamentally changes how opponents must defend them.
The numbers are stark. Newhook, a player whose speed and playmaking flair often seemed muted last season en route to 26 points in 82 games, is now playing with a creative equal. Through nine games, Newhook has seven points and is on pace for a 64-point season.
The effect on Kapanen is even more pronounced. After managing just two points (and no goals) in 18 games last season, Kapanen already has four goals. He is on pace for a 55-point campaign, finding the soft areas of the ice while Demidov draws defenders and delivers the puck.
Together, they form one of the league’s most effective second units, all because Demidov—who describes himself as more of a playmaker than a scorer—is elevating everyone around him.
“Elite Plays All The Time”
This ability to elevate others stems from a skill set that has coaches and teammates buzzing. Head Coach Martin St. Louis pointed to the dual threat Demidov possesses: “great feet, he’s got great deception, quick hands.”
But St. Louis was quick to add the most important part: “He’s got a quick mind, too, so he can execute fast what he sees.”
That “quick mind” is what allows him to make deceptive, cross-ice passes that other players wouldn’t dare attempt, and it’s what allowed him to process the overtime situation against Calgary and wait for the perfect play to develop.
Captain Nick Suzuki, who leads the team with 12 points, sees a player settling in with remarkable speed. Demidov, Suzuki noted, is “starting to make elite plays all the time” and is learning the nuances of the NHL game effectively.
Statistically, Demidov’s production (1 goal, 5 assists for 6 points) already places him fifth in team scoring. It’s a remarkable start for a 19-year-old, and it validates the perspective of fellow first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovský, who observed that Demidov is adapting to the NHL at an “insane pace” and “way faster than I did it.”
The Deployment Dilemma
Demidov’s rapid adaptation and high-level performance have created a “good problem” for Martin St. Louis: What do you do with him next?
This has sparked two major debates among analysts and fans.
First, should he be moved to the top line with Suzuki and Caufield? The consensus answer here is a firm “no.” The “Demidov Effect” on Newhook and Kapanen is too valuable. Breaking up that unit to create one “super line” would sacrifice the team’s newfound offensive depth, which has been the very key to its 6-3-0 start.
The second debate, however, is far more compelling: Should Demidov be on the first power-play unit?
Right now, the answer from many is an unequivocal “yes.” The Canadiens’ power play is clicking at a middling 18.5%. Demidov’s vision, patience, and passing are precisely what the man-advantage needs. The spot along the right boards—the playmaker’s traditional office on a 1-3-1 setup—seems tailor-made for his skill set, a spot currently occupied by Slafkovský.
St. Louis has, predictably, preached patience. The coach stated he is “breaking Demidov in slowly” and will “let the behaviour talk” to see if his play organically merits the promotion.
The counter-argument is that the behaviour is already talking. It’s shouting. Demidov is, as Slafkovský termed him, a “big weapon,” and the team is willingly keeping that weapon in the sheath during critical offensive-zone situations.
It’s a delicate balance. A coach wants to protect a young player and manage his development. But when that young player is already making elite plays, winning games in overtime, and transforming an entire line, the “break-in” period may already be over. The Canadiens have a superstar in the making, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify not using him in every high-leverage situation possible.
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