Ivan Demidov Out 2-4 Weeks With Lower-Body Injury: Montreal Canadiens Update
- Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov will miss two to four weeks with a lower-body injury, the team announced Tuesday.
- The Canadiens announced the diagnosis Tuesday, confirming that Demidov did not participate in the morning skate ahead of their game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
- Kirby Dach will move onto the second line alongside Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook to cover for the injured winger.
Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov will miss two to four weeks with a lower-body injury, the team announced Tuesday. The 20-year-old winger’s absence marks his first missed game as a member of the Canadiens, interrupting a campaign that immediately follows a standout rookie season where he finished second in Calder Trophy voting.
Timeline of Demidov Injury And Missed Practices
The Canadiens announced the diagnosis Tuesday, confirming that Demidov did not participate in the morning skate ahead of their game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The forward was absent from practice the previous day due to what the club classified as a therapy day. Demidov previously missed a pair of pre-season practices after blocking a shot with his foot.
Kirby Dach Moves to Second Line
Kirby Dach will move onto the second line alongside Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook to cover for the injured winger. Meanwhile, Florian Xhekaj enters the lineup to make his season debut for Tuesday evening’s home opener. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis told reporters that he feels confident in the team’s depth to absorb the loss of a productive player.
“I don’t think it impacts the way are going to play,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “If anything, it gives opportunity to somebody else to make some plays. I feel like we have the depth for that, the way our lines are shaped. I’m confident we can keep going knowing that we lost a pretty good piece.”
Martin St. Louis
Demidov Signs Eight-Year Contract Extension
Demidov has recorded two points, consisting of one goal and one assist, through the first two games of the season. That output includes a goal and an assist during a 6-5 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Last season, the forward played in all 82 regular-season games, leading all rookies with 62 points on 19 goals and 43 assists, before adding nine points in 19 playoff games. On July 1, Demidov signed an eight-year, $73.2 million contract extension carrying an annual cap hit of $9.15 million that begins next season and runs through the 2034-35 season.
Canadiens Matchup Against Carolina Hurricanes
Montreal enters Tuesday’s contest with a 1-0-1 record, having opened the schedule with a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs before falling to Pittsburgh. The game serves as an Eastern Conference Final rematch against the Hurricanes, who eliminated Montreal in five games during last year’s postseason. Puck drop is scheduled for Tuesday evening.