The Montreal Canadiens announced Ivan Demidov will be out for two to four weeks with a lower-body injury.

Demidov was not on ice for the morning skate with the Canadiens, according to Eric Engels. Previously, Demidov did not practice yesterday either for a ‘therapy day’. Through two games, the young Russian has a goal and an assist for two points and is in the final year of his entry-level contract. He also missed two preseason games, having blocked a shot with his foot against the Senators.

After 62 points in 82 games last season, finishing second in Calder Trophy balloting, the former fifth overall pick in 2024 signed an eight-year, $73.2MM contract extension on the opening day of 2026 free agency, carrying an AAV of $9.15MM beginning after this season. He added nine points in 19 playoff games in Montreal’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Considering some of the high-priced deals that have been signed since then, this deal has been considered a bargain. Demidov’s agent Dan Milstein told Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette that while he was leaving money on the table, Demidov wanted to help the team to try to add other pieces to help them win.  He was also open about how he wanted an eight-year agreement over pursuing a shorter-term deal, as some other young talents have done this summer.

The loss of Demidov hurts Montreal in need of a more effective top-six overall. His missing time creates a problem for the Habs’ depth, as it’s likely that Kirby Dach will slot up to play alongside Alex Newhook and Juraj Slafkovsky. Florian Xhekaj is set to make his season debut on the fourth line with Jake Evans and Josh Anderson.

Xhekaj skated in just five games last season for the Canadiens, scoring one point. Arber’s brother is known as your prototype bottom-six plug-in professional. He’s known for his off-puck decision-making, as well as his ability to be a pest in the net-front. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, deflecting on-coming pucks and pushing off defenders in the process is his bread and butter. Montreal originally selected him 101st overall in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

The next game Montreal plays, tonight against the Hurricanes at 7 p.m. ET, will be Demidov’s first missed game as a member of the club.

More to come.