The buzz was undeniable. Last night at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, a crowd of eager Canadiens fans gathered near the arrivals gate, hearts pounding in anticipation. They weren’t waiting for just anyone—they were waiting for the guy. Top prospect Ivan Demidov, flanked by his girlfriend, stepped through the security doors to a chorus of cheers and chants. His wide grin—part joy, part disbelief—said it all.
Sammy and Aniello Cavallaro, the driving forces behind the brand The Sick Podcast, were present, along with an estimated 50ish other Habs’ fans to welcome Demidov to Canada. He was very happy and had a smile the entire time. Canadiens’ Assistant-GM John Sedgwick accompanied him and his girlfriend. The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro had over 180,000 people watching the livestream, waiting for Demidov to arrive at the airport.
Montreal Canadiens fans already had reason to be optimistic about a potential playoff push. But the arrival of Demidov? That’s taken the excitement to a whole new level. For the first time in what feels like ages, the spotlight has shifted—however briefly—from Lane Hutson to the young Russian phenom.
Ever since RG Media editor Marco D’Amico broke the news that SKA St. Petersburg had agreed to release Demidov from his KHL contract, followed by confirmation of his NHL Entry-Level deal with the Canadiens, the story has dominated every platform—media, blogs, podcasts, radio shows, social media, you name it. And honestly? Who can blame them?
Within hours of the Canadiens announcing Demidov would wear No. 93, the team had his jersey printed and ready for sale. Hours later? Sold out. All sizes. Both colours. Gone.
Expectations and Reality
Demidov’s arrival brings more than just hope to the Canadiens—it’s a shot of adrenaline to the entire NHL. During a recent episode of The Sick Podcast – The Eye Test, agent Dan Milstein told Jimmy Murphy and Pierre McGuire that his client “doesn’t even know how good he is.” That kind of humility might not last long—not in a hockey-crazed market like Montreal.
Let’s face it: this is a 19-year-old kid, in a new country, with his young girlfriend by his side and no parental supervision. Throw in a fat contract and sudden superstar status, and you’ve got a pressure cooker. It’s a recipe that requires careful handling.
We’ve seen this before. Just ask Juraj Slafkovsky, whose every shift is still under a microscope. The Montreal market isn’t just passionate—it’s demanding. And while fans should be excited, expectations must be tempered.
The Canadiens know this. They’ll do everything they can to support Demidov on and off the ice. Captain Nick Suzuki and other team leaders will be crucial in easing the transition. And don’t underestimate the influence of Martin St-Louis—perhaps the perfect coach to mentor a creative, high-skill forward finding his way in the NHL.
When Will He Debut?
First things first: Demidov needs to get settled, shake off the jet lag, and adjust to the time zone. But he’s expected to be on the ice with the team soon, and while no debut date is set in stone, all signs point to Monday night at the Bell Centre against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Yes, those Blackhawks—the team that passed on Demidov at the draft, opting instead for fellow Russian Artyom Levshunov. According to Matias Brunet, Chicago even tried to trade up with Columbus to snag Demidov before Montreal could. Talk about a storyline.
If he slots in Monday, don’t be surprised to see him on the second line, flanking Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook. A possible lineup shakeup could look like this:
Caufield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky
Laine – Newhook – Demidov
Gallagher – Dvorak – Gallagher
Heineman – Evans – Armia
That would keep Michael Pezzetta as the 13th forward, while Joshua Roy and Oliver Kapanen could be sent back to Laval for their playoff push.
The Future Is Now
After years of asking for patience, Canadiens fans are finally seeing the payoff. With blue-chip goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler turning pro, one of the NHL’s youngest rosters, and the Laval Rocket potentially clinching their division tonight—the future isn’t just on the horizon. It’s here. And it’s blindingly bright.
So grab your sunglasses. Jump on the bandwagon. Because the Canadiens are swinging that window of opportunity wide open—and it might just stay that way for a long, long time.
