Montreal Canadiens management evaluate second line options for Ivan Demidov

The Montreal Canadiens are currently assessing internal and external options to address long-standing issues on their second line. Entering his second NHL season, Ivan Demidov finished his rookie campaign with 62 points but saw limited ice time during high-leverage situations. Head coach Martin St-Louis frequently managed the workload of both Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky by restricting their usage in the final minutes of close games. While Demidov spent significant time alongside rookie Oliver Kapanen, the duo struggled to maintain control of shots despite maintaining a positive goal share at 5v5. Management has monitored the trade market for established centers to bolster the top-six, though no acquisitions have been finalized. The team remains committed to keeping the first-line trio of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Slafkovsky intact given their performance.

• 7:14 PMYahoo Sports — Demidov Conundrum: Canadiens Second Line Options