Habs fans, time to freak out: top prospect Demidov is coming to Montreal

The Montreal Canadiens are getting closer to booking a spot in the NHL playoffs. If they do, it looks like some serious backup is on the way.

Ivan Demidov, the team's top prospect who is projected to be an impact player in the league, just signed an entry-level contract with the Habs. 

Demidov, who was drafted fifth overall in the 2024 NHL draft, has played the last two seasons with SKA St. Petersburg in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League, known as the KHL.

This past season, Demidov scored 19 goals and 30 assists for a 49-point total in 65 games — a team best at only 19 years old.

Prior to the Canadiens inking Demidov to his first NHL contract, Habs fans were already in a frenzy on social media.

In a series of messages posted to its account on X, the 19-year-old's KHL team announced a "joint decision which will see the forward join the Montreal Canadiens this season."

"We have no doubt that Ivan will achieve plenty of victories and lift lots of trophies," reads one of the messages. "Good luck! Montreal, look after our guy."

Demidov's arrival will electrify a fan base that is starved for playoff hockey after missing out on the postseason the last three years.

Quebec Premier François Legault added to the flood of reaction pouring in on social media with a post on X that simply read: "WOW!"

The Canadiens currently hold the final wildcard playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a six-point lead over Detroit Red Wings. The two teams face off Tuesday night at the Bell Centre.