"It'd be Better For Demidov to Stay in Russia": Ivan Demidov’s Future Remains Unclear After SKA’s Playoff Exit

Ivan Demidov (Photo by HC SKA)

Ivan Demidov’s future will be decided in the coming days following SKA’s playoff exit. Most likely, he’ll join SKA’s junior team and could suit up for SKA-1946 in the MHL as early as Monday.

“I don’t know about Montreal,” SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg said at a press conference when asked about Demidov’s future. “He’s a SKA player. Honestly, we haven’t thought about Montreal, Quebec, or Toronto. Everything will happen in its time… It would be better for both Nikishin and Demidov to stay in Russia, with SKA."

“Both parties will meet tomorrow or Tuesday to discuss next steps,” a source familiar with the situation told RG.

Because Demidov is still under 20, SKA can assign him to the MHL instead of the VHL, the KHL’s minor pro league. The KHL’s development structure allows U-20 players to continue competing at the junior level if eligible, and SKA is taking advantage of that rule.

While this path keeps Demidov active, it also dims any hopes—however faint—that he might be able to join the Montreal Canadiens organization this spring.

Montreal selected Demidov fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft and remains incredibly optimistic about his long-term future. According to sources close to the situation, the Canadiens are thrilled with his season and very excited about eventually bringing him over to North America.

But they aren’t in the business of forcing a timeline.

That patience will likely only need to hold for a bit longer. SKA holds Demidov’s KHL rights until May 31, 2025, giving the club less than two months of control before the forward is free to sign an NHL contract. Until then, he’s under obligation to remain with SKA—or wherever they choose to assign him, such as the MHL.

For Demidov to accelerate his move to North America, he would need to buy out his current contract, a move that would also require approval from SKA’s team manager, Roman Rotenberg. That’s where things get tricky.

Rotenberg has become known for his tight grip on SKA’s top prospects and isn’t expected to sign off on an early release for a player as valuable as Demidov. While it’s theoretically possible for Demidov to explore that route, sources say it’s highly unlikely to happen before his rights expire in late spring.

Instead, Demidov might finish the year with SKA’s junior team, where he’s expected to play a leading role in their MHL playoff run. He was dominant at the junior level earlier in the season and might enter the postseason as one of the MHL’s most dangerous offensive weapons.

While some fans were dreaming of Demidov joining the Canadiens in time for a spring playoff push, the reality is that his KHL contract—and the politics around it—have always made that extremely unlikely.

The good news for Montreal is that his arrival is just around the corner. Once May 31 hits, Demidov will be free to sign his entry-level NHL deal, at which point he’s expected to join the Canadiens for development camp and potentially challenge for a roster spot next fall.

His mix of speed, creativity, and high-end hockey sense is rare, and even in limited KHL minutes this season, he found ways to flash elite upside. Despite inconsistent ice time and limited opportunities to play on SKA’s top lines, Demidov made the most of his shifts and impressed scouts with his maturity and adaptability.

The Canadiens have been in close contact with his camp throughout the season and are said to be preparing internally for his arrival as early as June 1.

For now, fans will have to settle for watching his final games in Russia, where he’ll look to lead SKA’s junior team deep to another championship victory. The spotlight is still on him, and the countdown to May 31 continues.