Why is everyone bullish on Canadiens’ rookie Ivan Demidov? His skill? Yes, because Demidov is one of the most exciting, skilled players to have landed on the shores of the island of Montreal in many years. But more than that, it’s the way he is being deployed because he is not confined to just a fourth line or marginal role. Martin St. Louis eases rookies into the lineup by focusing on their main skill set, in this case, Demidov’s offensive talent, and gives them more opportunities than a restrictive defensive role, a philosophy he has used before with other rookies such as Lane Hutson. He puts a priority on playing collectively, where players are expected to play a defensive scheme that is designed to launch a transitional play. This allows individuals to use their speed and offensive skills to stand out. This allows him to build their confidence while adding to their responsibilities and ice time incrementally, allowing them to minimize their errors while showcasing the skills that got them to the NHL.
Why is he seen as a Calder Trophy-calibre rookie? Because Demidov’s game has a natural flair. What becomes obvious as soon as he steps onto the ice is his excellent puck-handling skills. Demidov has an incredible set of hands, but it is his impressive level of puck control and creativity that has set him apart from most young players today.
He manages not only to maintain control even in tight areas or when being marked closely but he also manages to adapt quickly. He can change his angle of attack with some edgework or a punch turn. He can do this due to his confidence with the puck, which allows him to generate scoring opportunities seemingly out of thin air.
He is skilled at making controlled zone entries. His use of speed and puck-handling skills allows him to open lanes. He uses speed changes to create separation and has the confidence to attack the net immediately. While this play didn’t amount to a shot on net, it is a scoring chance he generated on what seemed to be a harmless rush.
While he will improve his top speed and first-step explosiveness as he adds strength, it is Demidov’s skating mechanics that are his main strength in this area. He is proficient with the “10-2 skating style” (also called a mohawk), where he uses a heel-to-heel motion to turn by shifting weight from one foot to the other, with the “10” and “2” referring to the feet’s position in a clock-like face. He is also adept with the use of the “anchor point” as a stabilization technique, where the top hand is kept near the hip while the player uses the heel of the foot on which he wants to change direction. His deceptive edgework, offensive vision and his unpredictability keep his opponents on their heels, and that provides him an additional split second that allows him to find seams most players wouldn’t, which is another attribute that has set him apart.
Demidov displays several skills all in this one play. He joins the transitional attack, building speed up in the neutral zone. He makes a quick reaction to the broken play, a missed pass to Carrier at centre. He was able to corral the bouncing puck by reaching back behind his body and bringing it forward under control, all while retaining speed and keeping his head up the entire sequence. He then forces the defender back over the blue line because of that speed, allowing for a controlled zone entry. Once he draws Dunn in, he identifies Newhook streaking to the net. Once he sees Dunn go off balance, Demidov makes a hard stop, takes one step inwards to reset himself, turns in and places a hard, accurate pass through traffic, to an open Newhook who only needs to have his stick on the ice to redirect the puck into the net
He is still a rookie, so fans will need to remember that he’s still learning how to employ those skills on every shift. In the first five games of the season, he has averaged only 14:21 per game, but 2:44 of that has been on the power play. He still needs to improve his defensive play, but his desire to be a difference maker at both the offensive and defensive end has been on display.
He is set in his position on the power play, doing his job in helping win the faceoff. Once he is set on the half wall, he is positioned to scan the entire ice surface. He quickly identifies that the pass from Laine will be cut off and quickly adjusts from offence to defence. He turns up ice and uses strong, long strides while cutting at an angle to reduce the distance to the puck carrier on the breakaway and build speed. He overtakes not only Dobson but also catches Foligno as he reaches the high slot. Most rookies would use their stick to hamper the puck carrier, or even take a penalty; instead, Demidov uses his body positioning to force Foligno to his backhand, then uses physical contact to gently separate the player from the puck. More plays like this will allow the coaching staff to trust him in any situation, allowing him to gain more ice time
Demidov is learning what it takes to compete at the NHL level. It isn’t just about systems or talent; it is mental, it is about confidence. His belief and ability to remain calm when he is in control of the puck give him an edge as he is not only capable of creating plays in the offensive zone, but also willing to make the attempt when most players would make the safest play or dump the puck into a corner. It is this poise that will allow him to accelerate his development and make him a favourite for the Calder Trophy in 2025-26.