A Rising Star in Montreal

The Montreal Canadiens have scored a major victory by signing rookie sensation Ivan Demidov to a three-year entry-level contract. This exciting 19-year-old forward recently transitioned from a tough KHL playoff exit with SKA Saint Petersburg to making his NHL debut with the Canadiens, where he quickly made waves by scoring a goal and earning an assist in his first game.

Praise from Peers

Cole Caufield, a teammate, enthusiastically commented on Demidov’s talent, saying, "Really bleeping good! His drive, compete level, skating, and puck handling have been incredible to witness." With the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Demidov’s unique style sets him apart.

Malkin Over Ovechkin?

Just before his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut against the Washington Capitals, Demidov was asked if Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s new all-time goals king, was one of his childhood idols. His response? "Uhhhh...I love Malkin much better than Ovi." This cheeky preference certainly caught the attention of the media.

Game Face On

When pressed about the significance of facing Ovechkin in his first postseason series, Demidov pragmatically stated, "I think, yeah a little bit, but now I just wanna help my team win." His focus is clearly on the game ahead rather than the star power of his opponents.

Malkin vs. Ovechkin: A Different Path to Stardom

While Malkin, a likely first-ballot Hall of Famer, and Ovechkin have both achieved superstardom, their journeys have diverged. Malkin is renowned for his playmaking finesse, boasting 1,346 points in 1,213 games, often working behind the scenes with Sidney Crosby on the Penguins.

Anticipation and Surprise

This playoff matchup marks the first time Demidov and Ovechkin will face off. Ovechkin, despite not knowing Demidov personally, acknowledged his talent and potential: "It’s going to be an interesting match. Obviously, he’s a talented guy. We’ll see." Meanwhile, Demidov’s former teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov hasn’t discussed the series with him yet but is likely to share insights later.

Thrilled for the Challenge

Demidov is excited about the challenge of participating in playoffs for two teams across different leagues in the span of a month: "Yeah, it is. It’s cool. I hope here (the result) much better than KHL." He added, "I think it’s a good team; I just want to help win. I will bring the energy. That’s it."

An Element of Surprise

As Demidov approaches Game 1, which will be just his third appearance for Montreal, his relative inexperience could work in his favor. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery recognized the potential threat: "There’s going to be a feeling-out process... He can absolutely be an x-factor."

Significance of Number 93

Demidov sports the number 93 on his jersey—a nod to the last time the Canadiens clinched the Stanley Cup. However, he insists that choosing the number was merely coincidental: "I know last (Habs) Stanley Cup 1993. Just I like this number. If 91 were open, I would take that. But I just like this number."