Skip to article
The Sporting Page Real Analysis. Not Corporate

NHL

Canadiens lose Ivan Demidov for two to four weeks

Montreal announced the forward’s lower-body injury Tuesday, with Kirby Dach taking his place on the second line.

By TSP Staff
Ivan Demidov carrying his stick while skating in a white Canadiens jersey.
Ivan Demidov in the photograph accompanying NHL.com’s October 6 injury report. Capture date not specified. · Credit: Justin Berl / Getty Images, via NHL.com

Ivan Demidov will miss two to four weeks with a lower-body injury, the Montreal Canadiens announced Tuesday.

The team did not say how the injury occurred. Demidov missed Monday’s practice after Montreal initially described his absence as a therapy day, The Canadian Press reported.

The 20-year-old has a goal and an assist in two games this season. He recorded 62 points in 82 games as a rookie last season and was a Calder Trophy finalist.

Kirby Dach moved onto the second line alongside Alex Newhook and Juraj Slafkovsky, with Florian Xhekaj entering the lineup for Tuesday’s home opener against Carolina. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Mountain Time.

Sources and notes

  1. Canadiens injury announcement: https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/ivan-demidov-out-two-to-four-weeks-oct-6-2026
  2. The Canadian Press via CityNews: https://montreal.citynews.ca/2026/10/06/ivan-demidov-lower-body-injury/
  3. NHL.com injury report and photograph: https://www.nhl.com/news/ivan-demidov-injury-status-update-october-6-2026
  4. Official NHL October 6 schedule: https://www.nhl.com/schedule/2026-10-06