Habs Headlines: Demidov has ceiling of elite NHL scorer

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Nick Bobrov and Martin Lapointe feel they pulled off a heist getting Ivan Demidov at fifth overall. [Canadiens.com]
• While other teams could only see Demidov’s highlights, Bobrov was able to watch him practice in person in Saint Petersburg. [The Athletic]
• Aatos Koivu’s mother was first to notice he’d been selected by Montreal as they watched the event at home. [NHL.com]
• Aatos was just one of several sons of former NHL players drafted on Saturday. [NHL.com]
• Tall forwards were the target of the Canadiens over draft weekend. [La Presse]
• The Canadiens earn an A- grade for their work at the draft. [The Athletic]
• The depth chart has been updated with the 10 new prospects added in the 2024 NHL Draft. [Organizational Depth Chart]
• Some forwards the Canadiens could have their eyes on in free agency. [Journal de Montreal]
• Some controversy in the crease wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Canadiens. [Montreal Gazette]

Around the league and elsewhere

• That’s a wrap on the centralized NHL draft format, which is set to switch to individual war rooms next year. [TSN]
• At the very end of the draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring the signing rights of Chris Tanev, aiming for a long-term contract. [TSN]
• Despite the Tampa Bay Lightning clearing significant cap space by trading both Mikhail Sergachev and Tanner Jeannot on Saturday, Steven Stamkos appears set to hit the open market. [NHL.com]
• Stamkos and Jake Guentzel lead the crop of free agents. [NHL.com]
• Guentzel might be the target of all the freed Lightning cap space. [Sportsnet]
• Jeff Skinner’s three remaining contract years will be bought out by the Buffalo Sabres. [NHL.com]
• Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Mikey McLeod, and Cal Foote, four of the members in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case, will become unrestricted free agents on Monday if they are not tendered qualifying offers. [Sportsnet]