As Montreal Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov continues to make a name for himself, hockey analysts and scouts find themselves comparing the 19-year-old phenom to some of the all-time greats.
Actually, several NHL insiders and “hockey lifers” were tasked by Eric Engels of Sportsnet to give their thoughts on Demidov after just 10 games this season and 17 NHL contests overall, including five in last season’s playoffs. Afforded anonymity in order to speak openly – really, to speak at all about a player based on so few games, which Engels stressed that many scouts are loathe to do – the experts were asked three questions:
- Who does Demidov remind you of (past or present players) and why?
- What stands out to you most about his game?
- What will he need to work on most to reach his ceiling as fast as possible?
Among the answers given, several respondents said that Demidov reminded them of 2024 Hall of Fame inductee Pavel Datsyuk.
“(A)nd not because of his skating but really because of his deceptiveness one-on-one and his ability to create space for himself and his teammates,” a hockey lifer answered.
“Not only by the way they are always on their inside edges when they have the puck, but in the way the brain, hands and feet are all working together to manipulate defenders and make plays,” one of the scouts stated. “Similar quick and smooth handles with the puck, with great range and body control.”
Other players mentioned included Paul Kariya, Kirill Kaprizov and Macklin Celebrini, while another scout likened Demidov to “a harder-working version of fellow Russian Evgeny Kuznetsov. It’s the east-west movement and the willingness to try anything with no fear.”
Scouts and Hockey Lifers Compare Ivan Demidov to Various NHL Greats
There were also a few mentions of Nikita Kucherov, the Tampa Bay Lightning winger who has won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy. Coincidentally, when Engels appeared on Monday’s episode of “The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro,” Marinaro also said that Demidov reminded him of the two-time Stanley Cup champion, in large part due to his work ethic.
“I believe that [Demidov] could be to the Canadians power play what Kucherov has been to the Lightning power play,” Marinaro said. “Kucherov is a player that’s not only incredibly skilled but he works really hard 200 feet. He’s very passionate about hockey. He works at it 12 months a year. You talk to anybody close to him that will tell you that, you know, at the end of the Lightning season, even if they win the Stanley Cup, within two weeks, the guy’s back on the ice, and there’s a lot of comparisons, I think.”
It’s rare that a 19-year-old gets this kind of attention this early — the comparisons to Pavel Datsyuk, Nikita Kucherov and Paul Kariya weren’t thrown around casually. But with that recognition comes weight.
The scouts were almost unanimous: yes, he has the offense and vision. But sustained success requires a different level of consistency, physical maturity and defensive nuance. One recurring refrain: “He will need to improve his shot and his defensive structure.”
That’s not a knock — it’s a clear pathway. It means Demidov isn’t just here to be fun to watch; he’s here to earn the trust of coaches and defenders alike.
Ivan Demidov Has Already Made His Presence Known for the Canadiens
And frankly, the Canadiens are banking on it. Coach Martin St. Louis promoted Demidov to the top power-play unit, and his presence opposite captain Nick Suzuki altered the look of the unit almost overnight. When a defender is forced to consider “Oh, is that Demidov or Suzuki handling this puck?” then you’ve reached another level of threat.
Here’s the truth: what Demidov is doing so far merits attention, but he’s still at the stage where “could be” meets “so far.” For Montreal, this means being smart — giving him opportunity, but also protecting the long view. Learning to kill shifts in the defensive zone, handling fatigue, playing the dirty areas, handling expectations — those are the details that separate those who flourish from those who flicker.
So what comes next? First: maintain the confidence and keep him involved in high-leverage moments so that his composure grows under pressure. Second: layer in strength and shot development — the move from slick passer to threat-shooter will open another dimension. Third: protect his usage, ensure that the defensive side doesn’t become an afterthought. The offense will grab headlines. The two-way game will secure the legacy.
For fans in Montreal, the message is simple: buckle in. This isn’t a prospect you wait to peak in three years. The flashes are arriving now.
What remains is whether he can turn those flashes into the consistent brilliance the franchise hopes for. If he does? This could be the moment the Canadiens say, “We didn’t draft a star — we built one.” And if you listen to the voices watching, that moment feels not just possible, but likely.
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