VIDEO: The Ivan Demidov Goal Every Canadiens Fan Needs To See

The plaudits keep pouring in for Montreal Canadiens' Russian prospect phenom Ivan Demidov. His eye-popping goal this morning (early evening) in the KHL (one of two in the first period, actually) is the latest example of why Habs fans cannot wait for their 5th overall pick in last year's draft to arrive.

Ivan Demidov… holy ****!! https://t.co/0m1BJQyVN8
— Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) January 3, 2025

Demidov was just named the Rookie of the Month for December in the KHL (joining his organizational brethren Lane Hutson who accomplished the feat in the NHL). Demidov recorded six points in seven games for SKA St. Petersburgh.

Overall, the 19-year-old has 10 goals and 26 points in 38 games, averaging about four shots per game, and has a terrific plus/minus rating of +19... And he's doing all of that in a minuscule 11:28 average time on ice per game (though that has deservedly increased of late).

He started today's big game against CSKA on the first line for SKA, and after that two-goal first period performance, we're certain his TOI will continue to rise.

An NHL Eastern Conference executive told Sportsnet's Eric Engles this week that he believes that Demidov will automatically be the Canadiens' best player immediately upon his arrival in Montreal.

“He’s a bona fide superstar, who will arrive in Montreal and immediately make an impact,” the exec said.

His KHL contract expires this spring, and Habs fans can expect to see Demidov in North America in 2025.

Last season, with SKA's Junior club, he recorded a spectacular 23 goals and 60 points in 30 games with an insane +47 rating.