Ivan Demidov is doing more than just living up to the hype - he’s carving out a place in Canadiens history with every shift. The 20-year-old Russian rookie added two assists in Montreal’s thrilling 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night, marking his 10th multi-point game of the season. That’s a milestone no Canadiens rookie has hit this quickly - through 50 games or fewer - since Gilbert Dionne back in 1991-92.
Let that sink in: in a franchise that’s seen legends come and go, Demidov is now in a conversation that includes Dionne, Guy Lafleur, Chris Chelios, Kjell Dahlin, and Mats Naslund. That’s not just good company - that’s sacred territory in Montreal hockey lore.
Through 50 games, Demidov sits at 11 goals and 43 points. That ties him with Chelios (1984-85) and puts him just behind Lafleur’s 46 points at the same point in his rookie campaign.
Dahlin still holds the pace-setting mark with 57 points in 1985-86, and both Dahlin and Naslund share the Canadiens’ rookie record for a full season with 71 points. But Demidov’s trajectory?
It’s got that kind of potential - and then some.
Since making his NHL debut last April 14 against Chicago - where he wasted no time by putting up a goal and an assist - Demidov has consistently shown flashes of brilliance. And it’s not just the points.
It’s how he plays the game. Veteran defenseman Mike Matheson summed it up best: Demidov is one of the rare players who can stickhandle without even looking at the puck.
That’s elite-level control and vision - the kind that doesn’t just show up on the scoresheet, but changes the flow of a game.
Head coach Martin St. Louis sees it, too.
“There’s players that see certain things,” he said after practice on Wednesday. “I feel that he understands the game that’s in front of him.
But he also knows the game that’s behind him.” That’s a coach’s way of saying Demidov isn’t just reacting - he’s processing, anticipating, and manipulating the ice like a seasoned pro.
What makes that even more impressive is how young he is. At 20, most players are still finding their footing.
Demidov? He’s dictating pace, reading plays two moves ahead, and making passes that leave even his teammates shaking their heads.
Just ask Lane Hutson, who buried his ninth goal of the season off a slick second-period feed from Demidov. “He’s real good at reading the play and putting the puck in a good spot for me,” Hutson said.
“It was a really nice pass. I think he’s understanding the timing out there, where guys are going to be.
I think he has a lot more, too.”
That’s the scary part - the ceiling is still rising.
Cole Caufield, who netted the game-winner with 15 seconds left, might’ve said it best. “I like watching him from the bench,” he said.
“Being out there with him, he’s an incredible player who’s getting better each and every day. He’s definitely special to be a part of every day.”
The Canadiens have a long and storied history of rookies lighting up the league, but what Demidov is doing right now feels different. It’s not just about stats or milestones - it’s about the way he sees the ice, the way he moves, and the way he makes the players around him better.
And if this is just the beginning, Montreal fans might want to buckle up. Because Ivan Demidov isn’t just part of the Canadiens’ future - he’s already reshaping their present.