Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov out two to four weeks with lower-body injury
The 20-year-old forward, who led all NHL rookies in scoring last season, will miss Montreal's home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes.
MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens will be without forward Ivan Demidov for two to four weeks due to a lower-body injury.
The team announced the news Tuesday, one day after Demidov missed practice for what was initially called a therapy day.
"I don't think it impacts the way we're going to play, and if anything it gives opportunity to somebody else to make some plays and I feel like we have the depth for that," Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said.
READ MORE: Oilers' Nugent-Hopkins out for season opener with lower-body injury
READ MORE: Winnipeg Jets claim goaltender Clay Stevenson off waivers from Washington
The 20-year-old has one goal and one assist in two games this season.
How did the injury occur?
The team did not disclose how the injury occurred.
Demidov missed practice time earlier in the pre-season after blocking a shot with his foot in a game against the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 21 in Trois-Rivières, Que.
Who will replace Demidov in the lineup?
Kirby Dach took Demidov’s place on the second line next to centre Alex Newhook and winger Juraj Slafkovsky for Tuesday's game.
Forward Florian Xhekaj also entered the lineup ahead of the home opener.
"The way our lines are shaped, I think we have depth down all of them, and we can come in waves, and I'm confident that we can keep going, knowing that we lost a pretty good piece," St. Louis said.
What is Demidov's recent history with the team?
Demidov led all NHL rookies with 62 points last season, scoring 19 goals and adding 43 assists in 82 games, and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy.
He also had three goals and six assists for nine points in 13 Stanley Cup playoff games, helping the Canadiens reach the Eastern Conference final.
Montreal selected him fifth overall in the 2024 NHL draft.
In the offseason, the Canadiens signed Demidov to an eight-year, $73.2-million contract extension that carries an average annual value of $9.15 million.
According to PuckPedia, the Canadiens have Demidov, captain Nick Suzuki, forwards Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, as well as defensemen Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson and Kaiden Guhle signed through the 2029 -30 season.
What is Demidov's background before the NHL?
While playing with SKA St. Petersburg in Russia’s KHL in 2024-25, he scored 19 goals and had 30 assists for 49 points in 65 games.
During the previous season with St. Petersburg’s junior team in the MHL, Demidov had 23 goals and 37 assists for 60 points in just 30 games.
What is the team's schedule and record?
The Canadiens, who are 1-0-1 this season, hosted the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in their home opener on Tuesday.
Carolina defeated Montreal in five games in last season's Eastern Conference final en route to winning the Stanley Cup over the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Canadiens opened the season with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, then dropped a 6-5 decision in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Garbutt Disposal reported in September that Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was also expected to miss about two weeks with a lower-body injury.
With files from Sportsnet, The Globe and Mail and Daily Faceoff