Ivan Demidov’s viral moment is another sign Montreal has its next star

The clip landed because Demidov still feels new here, even while the spotlight already treats him like a face of the franchise.

He signed with Montreal on April 8, 2025, and the 20-year-old was the Canadiens' 2024 first-round pick, fifth overall.

One year later, the kid is not a curiosity. He is part of a playoff team that has already locked up a berth at 46-22-10.

Demidov has backed that up with 18-43-61 in 78 games, real top-six production on a team that suddenly comes at opponents in waves.

That is why the on-air swear matters less than the reaction around it. Montreal does not laugh at prospects the same way it laughs at stars.

You can almost see his brain race to catch up with the room, then the apology pops out a split second too late.

Fans will laugh at the moment, then file it under proof that the kid is carrying a lot for someone this young.

Demidov's hands and delay game force defenders to hold their gaps longer, and that gives Montreal cleaner second touches in the offensive zone.

That ripple runs through the whole lineup. When a winger can beat coverage without cheating for offense, Martin St. Louis gets more freedom with matchups and man-advantage looks.

It also changes the front office clock. A team with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and now Demidov producing cannot sell patience forever.

So yes, the clip is awkward. It is also the sound of a teenager-turned-prospect-turned-producer realizing the room got very big, very fast.

That is what stars do in Montreal. First they go viral, then they get judged like they are supposed to carry April.

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