NHL reacts after Canadiens hand Ivan Demidov $73M contract

The Montreal Canadiens have locked up one of the NHL's brightest young stars, signing Ivan Demidov to an eight-year contract extension worth $9.125 million annually. The deal, confirmed by agent Dan Millstein, carries a total value of $73 million and begins with the 2027-28 season because Demidov still has one year remaining on his current contract.

Earlier in the day, Millstein teased major news on X before the announcement became official. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman later posted, "Ivan Demidov 8 x $9.125M extension in Montreal."