MONTREAL — If you’ve been watching the Canadiens this season, there’s one name that keeps popping up on highlight reels: Ivon Demidov. The 20-year-old Canadian winger has already carved out a reputation as a player who doesn’t just make plays — he makes moments. Every time he steps onto the ice, it’s clear that what we’re witnessing is not just skill, but a rare combination of instinct, intelligence, and ice-cold composure.

So what makes Demidov so electric? It comes down to three key traits that separate him from the rest of the pack.

1. Poise and Patience with the Puck
Demidov doesn’t rush. He waits, reads the play, and strikes at exactly the right moment. Take his goal against the Seattle Kraken earlier this week — he held onto the puck long enough to throw the goaltender off balance before calmly depositing it into the back of the net. Or consider his assist on Alex Newhook’s goal: Demidov waited for Vince Dunn to falter, then slid a perfect pass across the ice for the tap-in. That level of patience and timing isn’t taught; it’s innate. Watching him work in tight spaces, you see a player who knows precisely when to act and when to wait — and that split-second judgment often decides games.

2. Deceptive Passing
If patience is the art of timing, Demidov’s second weapon is deception. In preseason games, he hooked up with Patrick Line on multiple goals, using his feet, eyes, and body to mislead defenders and create passing lanes that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Against the Toronto Maple Leafs, defenders were fooled by his feints and body language before the puck magically appeared on Line’s stick. Against Ottawa, it was the same story: Demidov’s mind and body work in tandem, forcing opponents to play the wrong game while he dictates the right one. His vision and timing make him not just a scorer but a creator, a player who elevates everyone around him.

3. Evasiveness on the Ice
Finally, there’s his ability to navigate pressure. Unlike some forwards who rely purely on speed or quickness, Demidov welcomes the challenge. He absorbs contact, waits for the right moment, and then uses subtle edge work and pivots to slip free. Often the puck barely moves, but he creates space for himself — the split-second opening he needs to make a play or take a shot. It’s a form of ice chess: he doesn’t just evade defenders; he controls the tempo and forces opponents into mistakes without ever seeming hurried.

Watching Demidov in action, it’s easy to see why early-season chatter has him pegged as the favorite for the Calder Trophy. He embodies a rare mix of maturity and creativity, poise and deception, patience and daring. At a time when young NHL stars are often celebrated for flash over function, Demidov delivers both.

For Montreal, this isn’t just a breakout player — it’s a franchise-shaping presence. Last year, Lane Hudson won the Calder, and now the Canadiens could have back-to-back winners, signaling a new era for the storied organization. Fans are already flocking to arenas, cameras in hand, hungry to witness what could be the start of an illustrious career.

The sky is the limit for Ivon Demidov. At 20, he’s not just playing the game — he’s rewriting what it means to be an NHL rookie. And if the Canadiens harness his talent correctly, they could be building more than just a playoff team: they could be creating a dynasty, one electrifying play at a time.