“Most Likely VHL or MHL”: Demidov’s Camp Aims for NHL, But SKA’s Trophy Push May Delay Move to Canadiens

Ivan Demidov (Photo by HC SKA)

Now that SKA St. Petersburg’s KHL season has ended earlier than expected, attention turns to top prospect Ivan Demidov and his long-speculated move to the NHL. While the Montreal Canadiens—who selected Demidov fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft—are reportedly eager to bring him over, sources close to the situation say it may not happen as quickly as fans hope.

A report from Sport Express confirms that the Canadiens are “waiting” for Demidov. Although it’s not news that the Canadiens would love to get Demidov in time for the NHL Playoffs, it’s not as rosy as has been reported.

Sources close to the player told RG that his camp will attempt to negotiate a contract termination with SKA—though they’re not optimistic about the outcome.

“Demidov’s camp will try to bring him over to the NHL this season, but the chances are slim,” one source told RG. “Most likely, he’ll play in the VHL or MHL instead.”

The main reason? SKA’s front office is refocusing their priorities after a disappointing first-round exit from the KHL playoffs. With the franchise’s hopes for a Gagarin Cup dashed, leadership—particularly head coach and executive Roman Rotenberg—is now set on winning trophies at the lower levels, which could keep Demidov in Russia for the spring.

A team source familiar with the decision-making process at SKA explained the situation bluntly.

“No NHL team is going to guarantee a top-six spot to a player when their entire season depends on making the playoffs. That kind of talk is complete nonsense,” the SKA source said. “If SKA had advanced past the first playoff round, Rotenberg might have let Demidov go. But now, that’s off the table. SKA is focused on winning a trophy—at least in the MHL or VHL.”

Demidov, widely considered one of the most talented Russian prospects in years, has made it clear he wants to accelerate his development. Despite limited exposure in the KHL, his creativity, elite skating, and scoring ability have made him a fan favorite and a central piece of Montreal’s future. But organizational priorities at SKA may delay his North American debut.

Interestingly, sources say Demidov has his own preference about where to play next.

“Demidov himself would like to play in the VHL alongside his brother, but the club isn’t really sold on that idea,” the source added.

 “Rotenberg’s main goal now is to win in the MHL and VHL to make up for the failure in the KHL. That’s all he cares about—he wants to prove that the SKA development system works.”

This dynamic creates a complex situation. While Demidov’s camp explores legal or procedural avenues to release him from his contract, SKA holds the final say—and for now, they’re keeping him close.

The organization’s desire to win at the developmental level, coupled with Demidov’s age and lack of extensive KHL minutes, makes it unlikely they’ll agree to let him leave before this offseason.

Alexander Nikishin Delayed As Well?

Complicating matters further is the precedent set by other SKA players, such as defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who’s also been the subject of NHL speculation. A source close to his situation told RG that, for now, no formal negotiations are underway.

This added bureaucratic hurdle could also slow down any attempts by Demidov to relocate to North America. While NHL teams are still interested, the process of extracting a young Russian player from SKA remains politically and contractually difficult.

For Montreal, the wait for Demidov might extend another year. While his talent is undeniable, his path to the NHL is shaped as much by SKA’s internal goals as it is by his own readiness. If Rotenberg is determined to prove SKA’s development pipeline can deliver trophies—even at the MHL and VHL level—then fans in Montreal may have to be patient before seeing the prized prospect in a Canadiens sweater.

Until then, Demidov’s next steps remain tied to an organization with a very different timeline—and a very different set of priorities.