Ivan Demidov’s new deal with Montreal is already turning heads, and not just because of the number on the contract.
The Canadiens winger signed an eight-year, $73.2 million extension on the opening day of free agency, a pact that carries a $9.15 million average annual value. In a market that has since seen several expensive deals come in, it already reads like a sharp piece of business for the Canadiens.
Demidov’s agent, Dan Milstein, told Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette that his client understood he was giving up money in the process, but wanted to do it so the team could keep building around him. Milstein also said Demidov preferred locking in an eight-year agreement instead of taking a shorter-term route like some other top young players have done this summer. The 2024 fifth overall pick put up 62 points in 82 games last season and finished second in Calder Trophy voting.
Across the division, Boston has a roster squeeze to sort through on the blue line.
Bruins defenseman Frederic Brunet is waiver-eligible for the first time as camp approaches, and with the team already carrying plenty of depth on defense, Conor Ryan notes that moving out a blueliner could be one possible solution. Brunet is 23, and the risk of losing him for nothing on waivers in a few weeks makes the situation tricky from an asset-management standpoint. Boston currently has nine defensemen on one-way contracts, and even with Charlie McAvoy set to miss six games to open the season because of suspension, there still may not be enough room for all nine, much less Brunet.
There is better news for another Bruins young player.
Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe reports that prospect Dans Locmelis has fully recovered from late-season shoulder surgery. The 22-year-old put together a strong first full pro season with AHL Providence, finishing with 15 goals and 13 assists in 43 games.
He also scored twice for Latvia in four Olympic games. Locmelis has an outside shot at making Boston’s roster out of training camp, though the more likely path is another season in Providence and a chance to earn an in-season call-up.
In Other News...
Brendan Gallagher Sent Canadiens Fans A Clear Message After His Exit
Brendan Gallagher is already framing his next stop in familiar terms after his move from Montreal to Vancouver. In a recent interview, the longtime Canadiens winger said he wants to bring a steadying presence to the Canucks, with an emphasis on helping younger players and reinforcing the habits that make a team function beyond the box score.
Gallagher also spoke about the value of culture, and how his years in Montreal left a lasting mark on the way he views leadership. His comments pointed to an approach built around patience, accountability and setting a tone in the room, a reminder that even as he changes organizations, the lessons from his Canadiens tenure are coming with him. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Fans Will Recognize Who Stepped Into Logan Cooleys Scuffle
Summer hockey can still carry a little bite, and Logan Cooley found that out in Pittsburgh during an IC Hockey 3v3 Elite League game. What started as a confrontation with Artem Kulakov escalated quickly, turning into a brief scuffle that brought a familiar face into the mix for Canadiens fans keeping tabs on former Laval Rocket players.
Peter Laviolette III stepped in once the gloves came off, adding a Montreal connection to an otherwise routine summer skirmish. Cooley was the player who set things in motion, but he did not stay involved after the fight between Kulakov and Laviolette broke out, leaving the moment to unfold without any further escalation. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Rookie Camp Has Two Names Fans Should Track Closely
The Canadiens will open rookie camp on Sept. 11 with 23 players headed to the CN Sports Complex in Brossard and the Slush Puppie Arena in Gatineau, where the first real look at this prospect group will come in exhibition games against the Jets and Senators. It is the sort of stretch that can quickly separate the names with a path from the long shots, especially for a club that is always watching for the next player to make himself useful in a hurry.
Two of the players worth tracking are Tyler Thorpe and Luke Mittelstadt, each bringing a different kind of intrigue. Thorpe arrives as a big winger with a year of pro experience under his belt, while Mittelstadt comes in as a defender with a long college rsum and the kind of two-way profile teams like to test in a setting where details matter as much as highlight plays. [Read more 🡒]