The Montreal Canadiens have reached a long-term agreement with forward Ivan Demidov, signing the young star to an eight-year contract extension worth $73 million, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet (@FriedgeHNIC).
The deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $9.125 million. The massive commitment solidifies Demidov as a central figure in Montreal's long-term plans. This extension follows a trend set by the Canadiens' front office of locking up core players to max-term deals early in their careers to provide salary cap certainty and build around a young nucleus.
The $9.125 million AAV reflects the team's confidence in Demidov as a premier talent in the league. As the Canadiens continue their push toward contention, securing the Russian playmaker ensures their offensive core remains intact for nearly a decade. Further details regarding the structure of the contract or potential trade protection have not yet been released.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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