Canadiens lock up Ivan Demidov with eight-year, $73 million extension
The 20-year-old runner-up for last season's Calder Trophy becomes the latest cornerstone piece signed through 2029-30.
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The Montreal Canadiens have agreed to an eight-year, $73 million contract extension with Ivan Demidov, securing one of their most promising young players before his entry-level deal expires.
The deal begins in 2027-28 and includes close to $40 million in signing-bonus money. In the final three years, Demidov gains 10-team no-trade protection — a significant vote of confidence from the front office.
Demidov, 20, finished runner-up for the Calder Trophy last season after scoring 19 goals and 62 points across 82 games. He added three goals and nine points during the playoffs as the Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference Final.
The extension is the latest win for general manager Kent Hughes and president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton, who have systematically locked up the team's young core. Exactly one year ago on July 1, 2024, the Canadiens announced an eight-year extension for 2022 first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky. Just 10 months ago, they agreed to similar terms with Lane Hutson, the 2025 Calder Trophy winner.
Montreal now has Demidov, Hutson, Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield (a 50-goal scorer), defenceman Noah Dobson, and centre Nick Suzuki all signed through at least 2029-30. The highest cap hit among them is Dobson's $9.5 million average annual value — a reasonable anchor for a core built around players in their mid-twenties.
The front office's next priority is finding an elite linemate for Demidov on the second line. Suzuki, Caufield, and Slafkovsky have run as a trio, leaving Demidov without a truly elite partner. With Montreal prospect-rich and cap space available, the organization is positioned to pounce on any big-time centre or winger available.
