Could We Be Seeing Ivan Demidov Much Earlier Than Expected?

19 year old Russian superstar Ivan Demidov was selected 5th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in last year's draft, and has had a showcase season in Russia playing for SKA Saint Petersburg this season. But with Demidov expected to join the Habs next season after his current KHL contract runs out, recent turns of events in Russia may mean Demidov could be putting on a Canadiens jersey much earlier than we thought.

Being a pivotal part of SKA’s team this season, and being their leading scorer heading into the playoffs, it was announced that SKA would make Demidov a healthy scratch for SKA’s next game, and is expected to remain scratched throughout the entire KHL playoffs. But why? Demidov’s KHL contract ends on the 31st of May, and is under contract until at least after the playoffs have ended, but recent reports believe there is a chance Demidov could exercise his buyout clause in order to join the Canadiens for the end of the season. 

Demidov is arguably one of the hottest prospects in the NHL right now, and has had an amazing year in Russia, with all signs pointing at his NHL career starting as early as next year. But SKA’s recent decision to bench the all-star almost definitely confirms his exit. There has always been a mutual feud between the KHL and the NHL, and the decisions regarding Demidov’s involvement in their playoff run most likely is down to politics. Demidov has made it clear the entire season that he doesn't plan to re-sign with SKA ,and report to Montreal next season, but a spiteful move by SKA may indicate some discourse between Demidov and the Canadiens have recently come to light.

But it is not as easy as it seems. The rumoured ‘buyout clause’ in Demidov’s contract isn't so simple. Unlike players like Nikishin, Demidov is still an MHL eligible player, and had SKA be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, Demidov would be made to report to the MHL to fight in their playoff campaign. The only way the Canadiens could grant Demidov the option to leave the MHL and come and join the Habs is if they got to the Stanley Cup finals, a very long shot at getting the young Russian to north America earlier.

Demidov’s situation is definitely not what he or Montreal would have wanted ideally, but a potential debut for Demidov next season is still on the cards, and could well be a full time Canadien next season due his tricky situation this year.