Ivan Demidov, the young forward for the Montreal Canadiens, is making significant strides in his NHL debut season. As of April 2026, he has accumulated 61 points, consisting of 18 goals and 43 assists in just 78 games. This performance positions him well among recent rookies, especially noteworthy considering he celebrated his 20th birthday in December.
Jon Cooper’s Praise for Ivan Demidov
Jon Cooper, head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, recently commended Demidov’s talent and potential. Before a matchup between the Lightning and the Canadiens, Cooper remarked that comparisons of Demidov to his star player, Nikita Kucherov, are warranted. He stated, “From what I’ve seen, his future looks bright—he looks like he’s going to be fantastic.”
Skills and Comparisons to NHL Stars
Jon Cooper highlighted the necessity for Demidov to continue learning and gaining experience in the game. This encouragement shows that the coaching staff sees a promising future for him within the league.
Demidov himself has acknowledged that he models his game after both Nikita Kucherov and Kirill Kaprizov, two players known for their offensive prowess. Their playing styles have each led to multiple seasons with over 100 points, setting high expectations for Demidov’s career.
Anticipation for Playoffs
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Demidov will perform in the upcoming playoffs. Last year posed challenges for him as he adjusted to North American hockey. However, with more experience under his belt, he is expected to showcase his skills more effectively this time around.
Conclusion
In summary, Ivan Demidov is quickly establishing himself as a key player for the Montreal Canadiens. With praise from coaches like Jon Cooper and a solid performance as a rookie, the future looks bright for this young star as he continues to develop in the NHL.
