Every franchise hopes its young stars become worth a blockbuster contract, but making that commitment after only one full NHL season always invites debate. Ivan Demidov forced the Canadiens into that conversation with an impressive rookie campaign that has already established him as a centerpiece of the franchise’s plans.
Montreal acted before his price climbed even higher, although not everyone believes the deal reflects his true market value.
Jay Rosehill Reacts to Ivan Demidov’s $73M Extension
Demidov officially signed an 8-year, $73.2 million contract extension on July 1 that begins with the 2027-28 season and carries a $9.15 million average annual value.
The deal also includes substantial signing bonuses and a ten-team no-trade clause during its final three seasons, making it one of the biggest long-term investments in the Canadiens’ recent history.
Montreal’s confidence in Demidov stems from what he accomplished during his rookie season. The 20-year-old led all NHL rookies with 62 points, finishing with 19 goals and 43 assists across 82 games. He followed that performance by adding nine points in 19 playoff games as the Canadiens advanced to the Eastern Conference Final, while also finishing as the Calder Trophy runner-up.
Despite these achievements, former NHL winger and enforcer Jay Rosehill questioned why Demidov accepted far less money for a player with his ceiling. After the contract became official, Rosehill posted on X, “8 years for Demidov under 10 mill. Wow. Millions upon millions left on the table.”
Rosehill’s point reflects where the NHL salary cap is headed rather than what Demidov has already earned. With the cap expected to continue rising, another elite season or two could have placed the young winger among the league’s highest-paid forwards.
By signing now, Montreal bought out all of his remaining restricted free agent years and several unrestricted free agent seasons before his value could climb even further.
Demidov, however, made it clear that his priorities extend beyond maximizing every dollar. Speaking with Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, he said, “Money’s a big part of your life because without it you can’t have something. But for me, the main thing is hockey. It’s the No. 1 in my life. That’s what I think. Money never going to be over hockey in my life.”
Why Montreal Believes Demidov’s Contract Will Age Well
The extension strengthens an already impressive foundation assembled by Montreal’s front office. Once the contract takes effect in 2027-28, Demidov will become the Canadiens’ highest-paid forward and the second-highest-paid player behind Noah Dobson, whose cap hit sits at $9.5 million.
Just as importantly, Montreal has maintained an internal salary structure with every cornerstone player earning less than $10 million annually.
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Demidov now joins Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Dobson as part of a core that is locked in well into the next decade.
If the salary cap continues rising as projected and Demidov builds on his remarkable rookie season, the Canadiens could ultimately view this agreement as one of the league’s most valuable long-term contracts.
