The Montreal Canadiens will be forced to play without forward Ivan Demidov for the foreseeable future after the team announced he is sidelined with a lower-body injury. The organization confirmed on Tuesday that the young winger is expected to miss between two and four weeks of action.
Demidov did not participate in Tuesday’s morning skate ahead of the Canadiens’ home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes, a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference final. According to Habs Eyes on the Prize, the forward had already dealt with multiple therapy days since the start of training camp and missed Monday’s practice due to a therapy day designated by the club.
Early-Season Production and Recovery Timeline
The 20-year-old forward has appeared in both games for Montreal this season, recording one goal and one assist. His most recent appearance came in Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he scored the tying goal and finished the contest before the injury prompted medical evaluation.
Heavy reported that because NHL teams are not required to disclose specific medical details beyond the general area of the body, the exact nature of the ailment remains unconfirmed. However, hockey analyst Tony Marinaro noted via social media that Demidov had not appeared entirely like himself since blocking a shot off his foot during a preseason game against the Ottawa Senators roughly 15 weeks prior.
An absence lasting two to four weeks means Demidov will likely miss between seven and 12 games. Team management opted to address the issue early in the schedule to ensure full recovery rather than risking a lingering physical problem that could hamper his performance over an 82-game campaign.
Impact on the Canadiens’ Roster Depth
Losing a top-six forward creates an immediate tactical challenge for Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis. Last season, during his standout rookie campaign, Demidov played in all 82 regular-season games, finishing second in Calder Trophy voting and earning an NHL All-Rookie Team selection after tallying 62 points on 19 goals and 43 assists. He added nine more points in 19 postseason matches.
With Demidov out of the lineup, the Canadiens must adjust their secondary lines. While players like Oliver Kapanen are eyed for eventual returns to stabilize forward depth, other options such as Florian Xhekaj may be called upon to fill active roster roles while the team navigates the opening month of the schedule without one of its most productive young talents.