Canadiens Expected to Move Quickly on Ivan Demidov Extension
The Montreal Canadiens appear poised to make Ivan Demidov a major part of their future, and all signs point toward a contract extension becoming a priority once July arrives. Demidov has quickly emerged as one of the organization's most important young players, and recent reporting suggests Montreal is expected to move aggressively to secure a long-term deal.
According to Sportsnet's Eric Engels, an extension isn't merely speculation anymore—it has become the expected outcome. The timing is important. With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on Sept. 16, the Canadiens have financial incentives to act sooner rather than later. Signing Demidov before that deadline would allow Montreal to structure an eight-year contract with greater signing-bonus flexibility. Waiting could reduce those options and make negotiations more restrictive.
Demidov Is Already Looking Like a Core Piece.
From Montreal's perspective, this is exactly the type of player you don't overthink. Demidov already looks like a foundational piece of the Canadiens' future. He's producing in key situations, earning significant power-play opportunities, and showing that he's capable of driving offence rather than simply benefiting from the talent around him.
The playoff sample has only strengthened that view. As the pressure has increased, Demidov has looked increasingly comfortable. He's creating chances, producing points, and showing the kind of confidence teams want to see from future stars.
That's often the moment when organizations stop viewing a player as a promising prospect and start viewing him as a cornerstone.
This Isn't About Demidov’s Potential Anymore.
One of the most interesting aspects of Demidov's development is how quickly the conversation has changed. Early on, the focus was almost entirely on potential. Could he become a star? Could he handle bigger responsibilities? Could he translate his skill set into meaningful NHL production? Now the discussion feels different.
At some point, organizations stop evaluating potential and start planning around certainty. Demidov looks like he's approaching that threshold. The Canadiens aren't simply projecting what he might become anymore. They're beginning to see evidence of what he already is.
Teams can hesitate when they're paying for upside. They're much more comfortable committing when they believe they're paying for future production that's already starting to reveal itself.
The Canadiens Have a Structure He Fits Into.
Montreal's internal leadership structure also makes this decision easier. Captain Nick Suzuki continues to set the tone for the organization both on and off the ice. Around him, the Canadiens are building a group of young players expected to drive the next competitive era of the franchise.
Demidov fits naturally into that picture. If Suzuki serves as the stabilizing force, Demidov is increasingly looking like one of the offensive engines. His skill set complements the core the Canadiens are trying to build, and that's another reason the organization has little incentive to delay a long-term commitment.
Why Waiting to Re-Sign Demidov Doesn't Make Much Sense.
There's also a simple reality facing Montreal. Players with Demidov's ceiling don't become available very often. When one develops inside one’s own system and starts validating the expectations placed on them, organizations typically don't spend much time debating the next step.
They sign the player, build around him, and figure out the rest later. The contract range already being discussed—somewhere in the $8 million to $10 million average annual value range—feels less like a gamble and more like early pricing on a player who could eventually outperform the deal if his current trajectory continues.
That's why the timing matters. The Canadiens don't need to rush because they're afraid of losing Demidov. They need to move quickly because every sign suggests his value is still climbing.
What's Next for the Canadiens?
All indications point toward Montreal making Demidov's extension one of its top offseason priorities. The financial advantages of acting before the current CBA expires provide one reason to move quickly. Demidov's development provides an even stronger one.
The Canadiens appear to have found a player capable of becoming a central figure in their future. If that's the case, waiting may not provide any real benefit. For Montreal, this increasingly feels less like a question of whether an extension gets done and more like a question of when.