The Canadiens’ search for a new winger for Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki might not require a trade or a free-agent splash after all.
For weeks, the conversation has circled around outside options such as Matthew Knies and Patrick Kane. But there’s a growing case that the answer could already be sitting inside the organization: Ivan Demidov.
That idea has been gaining traction because Montreal clearly wants to put Demidov in a position to succeed, and the easiest way to do that might be to elevate him right onto the top line with Suzuki and Caufield. Tony Marinaro has discussed that possibility over the past few hours, and on paper it fits. Demidov’s vision and creativity would give that duo another layer of offense.
Of course, that move would create another puzzle for Martin St. Louis to solve.
If Demidov joins Suzuki and Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky would be pushed to another line, potentially with players like Oliver Kapanen and Alex Newhook. That’s not exactly the cleanest setup.
Still, Slafkovsky has already shown he can handle more responsibility. During the 2026 Olympics with Slovakia, he proved he’s capable of driving his own line against the NHL’s best players.
Training camp should start to reveal how Montreal wants to arrange its forwards, but the final answer will come from the games themselves. Line combinations can look great in theory; the ice is where they get tested.
And Demidov has already given the Canadiens plenty to think about. In his rookie season, he put up 62 points while skating with linemates who finished between 30 and 50 points. Put that production next to Suzuki and Caufield, and it’s easy to see why this possibility is turning heads.
In Other News...
John Marinos 8-Year Utah Deal Just Fueled Canadiens Blue Line Debate
John Marinos new eight-year extension in Utah adds another data point to the ongoing blue-line salary conversation around Montreal. At $6.75 million per season, the deal sits in the same neighborhood as several Canadiens defensemen and helps frame how different teams are valuing role, production and upside on the back end. Marinos contract also removes one more notable name from next summers unrestricted free agent market, narrowing the pool for clubs still looking for help on defense.
For Montreal, the comparison is especially useful because Kent Hughes has assembled a defense corps with a wide range of price points and responsibilities. Kaiden Guhle, Mike Matheson, Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson all occupy different tiers, and Marinos number only sharpens the debate over where the sweet spot really is for roster construction. It is the kind of contract that can make a teams own blue line look either disciplined or expensive, depending on how much value it gets from each role. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Add A Young Forward Who Could Climb Faster Than Expected
The Laval Rocket have added another young forward to their pipeline, giving a 23-year-old left winger a fresh chance to push his way into the American Hockey League picture. The move fits the kind of low-risk, upside-minded depth signing that can matter for a Canadiens organization always looking for players who can grow into larger roles if their development keeps moving in the right direction.
He already has a bit of familiarity with the Rocket after appearing in three games with the club last season, and his path has taken him through the QMJHL and ECHL before this latest step. A one-year two-way deal for the 2026-27 season gives him a clear runway to try to establish himself in Laval, with the next stretch of his career likely to determine how quickly he can climb from organizational depth to something more. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens May Finally Have A Real Answer At Center
The Canadiens have spent plenty of time looking for help down the middle, and the search keeps circling back to the same basic need: a center who can stabilize the second line without forcing the front office into a reckless overpay. Morgan Frost has emerged as an intriguing name in that conversation, with his contract viewed as manageable and the acquisition price expected to stay within reason, which matters for a team trying to improve without emptying the cupboard.
Frosts profile also fits the kind of move Montreal has been exploring, since he brings recent production and enough offensive touch to at least make the idea worth serious discussion. The question now is whether the Canadiens can turn interest into something more concrete while they keep sorting out the long-term picture at center, including the possibility of waiting on Michael Hage as part of the bigger plan. [Read more 🡒]