The Montreal Canadiens have been busy this summer. Despite acquiring Noah Dobson, there are more items on the to-do list to attend to. Trading Carey Price’s contract to create salary cap flexibility and acquiring a second-line center are two major boxes left to check. But there is a lot about this current roster that GM Kent Hughes likes.
In a recent interview ahead of the GM meetings in Detroit, Hughes spoke with Eric Engels of Sportsnet. Hughes shared some of his thoughts on Ivan Demidov. He summed up Demidov with one word that will excite Canadiens’ fans.
Kent Hughes on Ivan Demidov
Engels had a wide-ranging conversation with Hughes. They spoke about everything from Carey Price’s contract to Nick Suzuki’s leadership and expectations for Patrik Laine‘s second season in a Habs sweater.
Hughes also shared a glowing review of Demidov, including how “obsessed” he is.
“Incredible work ethic and he’s a great kid,” Hughes said to Engels. “He’s always smiling, he loves the game, and he’s obsessed with getting better. We’ll see what he can do.”
“I think he’s going to be a very, very good hockey player for the Montreal Canadiens for a long time, but we’re not putting all that hope on him in October of 2025.”
In the same article, Engels wrote that “Demidov’s been doing two-a-day sessions in Brossard five days a week all summer.” In the very least, that displays a commitment to preparation. That is a handy trait to have when it comes to a new season with new expectations.
Demidov had a great season in 2024-25. He recorded 49 points in 65 KHL games before coming over to North America. The fifth overall draft pick in 2024 then played two regular season games, recording two points and skating 13:43 a game. The 19-year-old added another two points in five playoff games.
Demidov is the “Complete Offensive Package” From His Draft Class
While Hughes and company aren’t putting pressure on Demidov, his talent is creating expectations. NHL.com has him pegged as one of their breakout candidates for this season.
“Some are suggesting this forward could become the next Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Wouldn’t that type of player become a nice option for Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis?” wrote senior draft writer, Mike G. Morreale on July 13, 2025. “The 19-year-old is as dynamic as they come and was, perhaps, the most complete offensive package from the 2024 NHL Draft class.”
“He’s a player who wants the puck, thrives on the challenges to generate scoring chances, and possesses elite skills and attributes. All signs point to him becoming a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the NHL rookie of the year.”
Demidov Isn’t Carrying the Weight of the Franchise on His Shoulders
Demidov is the kind of player that will thrive on a team filled with other great, young players. And those young players can only help Demidov. Not only on the ice, but Hughes believes the fans will have fewer expectations for Demidov because of what they want to see out of other Habs.
“What’s going to benefit him is there’s a whole slew of other players on our team that our fan base has all kinds of expectations for. They want Cole Caufield to get 40 goals,” Hughes said to Adam Kimmelman in August. “They want Lane Hutson to do something. So I feel like in that regard, they have expectations for a whole set of really young hockey players that are in our market.”
“I feel like it’s a little bit different than other players that may arrive in a market where they’re now going to be the savior.”
Demidov may not be the Canadiens’ savior, but he’s poised to have a great season and help push the team further into the playoffs.
Kent Hughes’ 1-Word Ivan Demidov Message Will Excite Fans