The name of Ivan Demidov, a 19-year-old Russian hockey prodigy, has been on the lips of fans since he signed an entry-level contract last week with the Montreal Canadiens.
And the anticipation of seeing him suit up in his new red, white and blue uniform is growing as he is set to make his NHL debut Monday at 7 p.m. against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Bell Centre.
The prized recruit will have an opportunity to show off his skills as his team plays to clinch a playoff spot.
“I feel he’s excited. He’s a kid who loves being on the ice, he’s passionate about it,” head coach Martin St-Louis told reporters Monday morning.
St-Louis says he and the coaching team are gradually showing Demidov “a few things” and are trying not to “overcoach” him.
“I want him to have fun, I want him to enjoy himself while trying to have intentions to help the team,” added St-Louis.
When asked about the team’s newest star, general manager Kent Hughes painted a picture of a young man who is both humble and confident.
“He has a unique blend of skill, hockey sense, deception, his ability to move laterally is really unique,” Hughes told reporters at a media scrum.
Decisive moment for Montreal
Demidov skated on the right wing of Montreal’s third line alongside winger Joel Armia and centre Alex Newhook at Monday’s morning skate.
Demidov had been expected to join the team next season, but was suddenly released by SKA St. Petersburg in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League, known as the KHL, over a month before his contract ended.
The fifth overall pick in last year’s NHL draft — considered perhaps the best prospect yet to play a game in the league — led SKA in scoring with 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 65 games this season. Demidov set a new KHL record for players under 20, even though his ice time was inconsistent.
The Russian rising star arrived in Canada on Thursday and skated with the Canadiens’ extras Saturday morning at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, but was sidelined for Montreal’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs later that day.
Montreal is facing high stakes as they make a key change to their lineup.
The Canadiens (39-31-10) held the second wild card in the Eastern Conference with 88 points — three ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets — with both teams down to their final two games.
Montreal has already missed two chances to secure a spot in the playoffs after consecutive losses to the Ottawa Senators and Toronto. The Columbus Blue Jackets, the only other team that remains in the hunt, has won their last four games.
The Blackhawks (23-46-11) sit second-last in the overall NHL standings.
Montreal will close out its regular season at home on Wednesday against the playoff-bound Carolina Hurricanes.
