Montreal sealed winger Ivan Demidov with an eight‑year extension that carries a $9.125 million average annual value. The 20‑year‑old, represented by Dan Milstein, will join the roster under a new deal starting in 2027‑28 after his entry‑level contract expires. The deal also includes performance bonuses tied to playoff appearances and total ice time, further rewarding his rapid development.

Demidov arrived from the KHL in 2025, appearing in two regular‑season and five playoff games before exploding in his first full campaign. He posted 19 goals, 43 assists and 62 points in 82 contests, tallying seven power‑play markers and leading all rookies in scoring. His performance earned a near‑Calder win, finishing second to Matthew Schaefer and quickly became a fan favourite.

The extension ties Demidov to a youthful core that already includes Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson, all secured through 2030. With five emerging stars on contract, Montreal gains salary‑cap certainty and a forward line capable of challenging the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens now possess a locked‑in top‑six group for the remainder of the decade and a marketable brand for Montreal.