Ivan Demidov just delivered a major update on his future in Montreal
Ivan Demidov and Martin St-Louis look headed toward the next big Canadiens decision, and this one feels like a formality now.
Montreal wants a long-term extension.
Demidov wants one too.
That is why this story already feels different from a normal rookie-contract discussion.
There does not seem to be much resistance on either side. Kent Hughes said the Canadiens see Demidov as a core player and would ideally sign him long term rather than short term.
Demidov was just as clear.
He said he likes the city, the team, the group in the room, and wants to stay in Montreal. When asked if he wanted a long-term deal done quickly, his answer was simple: «Yeah.»
That is the part Canadiens fans should hear loudest.
This is not a player dragging his feet or sounding unsure about the future. This is a 20-year-old star already talking like someone who sees himself planted in Montreal for a long time.
Canadiens fans are buzzing after Ivan Demidov's latest comments about his future
The file lays out why the timing matters.
Demidov becomes eligible to sign on July 1, and a new CBA is set to take effect on September 16. Under the current agreement, an extension can run 8 years, while the new setup would trim that maximum to 7 years and cap signing bonuses at 60 percent.
So this is not only about belief in the player.
There is a real business reason for both sides to get moving before mid-September. Demidov has a financial reason to lock in the extra term and bonus structure, while Montreal has a chance to secure a franchise winger before the cap rises even higher.
And Demidov has already earned that faith.
He led all NHL rookies with 62 points and 19 goals, then added 9 points in 19 playoff games during Montreal's run to the Eastern Conference Final. He did that while averaging only 15:30 a night.
The comparisons inside the room matter too.
Lane Hutson's 8-year, 70.8 million deal is mentioned as a baseline, and projections in the file place Demidov around 9 million annually on an 8-year contract.
That would be a massive commitment.
It also could age beautifully for Montreal if Demidov keeps climbing the way everyone around the team expects. Captain Nick Suzuki called him a team-first player, and Hutson described the winger's work ethic as something that pulls more out of everyone around him.
The strongest detail may have been Demidov's message to agent Dan Milstein.
«Just do your job.» Then he explained the job is getting the deal done as quickly as possible and making it as long as possible.
That sounds like a star who already knows exactly where he wants to be.
Source : Reports of a long term contract for Ivan Demidov in Montreal
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