Ivan Demidov is expected to remain out of the Montreal Canadiens lineup for several more weeks, according to his agent, after the young forward passed the end of his original recovery timeline.
The Canadiens initially announced on October 6 that Demidov would miss two to four weeks with a lower-body injury.
The club did not identify the specific injury at the time.
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Ivan Demidov’s return timeline has changed
Demidov’s agent, Dan Milstein, said in a podcast interview that the 20-year-old has several more weeks of recovery ahead before he is ready to return to game action.
Milstein also indicated that Demidov suffered a fracture near his ankle during the Canadiens’ pre-season schedule and continued playing before the injury was fully diagnosed, according to reports on Thursday.
The Canadiens have not publicly confirmed the fracture or replaced their original injury description with a more detailed medical diagnosis.
Montreal’s communications department said an update on Demidov’s condition was expected Friday, November 6, in the club’s local time zone.
How the injury happened
Demidov is believed to have been hurt while blocking a shot during Montreal’s pre-season game against the Ottawa Senators in Trois-Rivières.
He played in the Canadiens’ first two regular-season games before being removed from the lineup.
In those two games, Demidov recorded one goal and one assist.
The initial two-to-four-week estimate suggested he could return in late October or early November, but that window has now passed.
The forward has reportedly resumed skating on his own, although he has continued to use a protective boot during his recovery.
What Demidov’s absence means for Montreal
Demidov’s absence removes one of Montreal’s most important offensive options from the lineup, particularly on the power play and in transition.
The Russian winger established himself as a major contributor during his rookie season, recording 19 goals and 43 assists in 82 games while leading all NHL rookies in points.
Montreal agreed to an eight-year, US$73.2-million contract extension with Demidov in July, underlining his importance to the organization’s long-term plans.
The Canadiens have relied on their depth while he has been unavailable, with players such as Kirby Dach, Zachary Bolduc and other young forwards taking on larger roles.
Montreal received a boost Thursday when captain Nick Suzuki returned from an upper-body injury against the Utah Mammoth.
Dach also returned to the lineup for that game.
What happens next
The next significant development is expected to be the Canadiens’ medical update on Friday.
That update could clarify the nature of Demidov’s injury, whether he has resumed skating with teammates and whether the team has established a more specific return target.
Until the club provides that information, there is no confirmed date for Demidov’s return to the Canadiens’ lineup.
Montreal will have to manage the situation cautiously because returning too quickly from an ankle-related injury could risk prolonging the absence.
For now, the club’s confirmed position remains that Demidov is unavailable because of a lower-body injury, while the latest projected timeline points to several more weeks on the sidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will Ivan Demidov be out?
His agent says Demidov could miss several more weeks, but the Canadiens have not confirmed a specific return date.
What injury does Ivan Demidov have?
The Canadiens have officially described it as a lower-body injury. His agent has said Demidov suffered a fracture near his ankle, but the team has not publicly confirmed that detail.
When did Ivan Demidov last play?
Demidov played in Montreal’s first two games of the 2026-27 regular season before being removed from the lineup.
How many points did Demidov record before his injury?
He recorded one goal and one assist in two games.
When will the Canadiens provide another update?
The team said an update was expected Friday, November 6, 2026, in Montreal.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, the original injury timeline, Demidov’s early-season statistics and his contract details were checked against official Montreal Canadiens and NHL information.
Disclaimer: The reported fracture and extended recovery timeline remain subject to confirmation by the Montreal Canadiens.