In the electric aftermath of the Montreal Canadiens’ heart-stopping overtime triumph against the Calgary Flames, a viral moment by rookie sensation Ivan Demidov has set the hockey world ablaze.

But it’s not just his jaw-dropping play that’s stealing headlines—it’s Juraj Slafkovsky’s stunning confession that’s igniting a firestorm of intrigue. The Canadiens’ former first-overall pick, no stranger to the NHL’s brutal learning curve, dropped a bombshell about Demidov’s meteoric rise, hinting at a pace that’s leaving everyone, including himself, in the dust.

At just 19, Demidov’s wizardry on the ice—capped by a dazzling setup that sealed the win—has fans and analysts buzzing: Is this kid the real deal, or is he too good to be true?

With coach Martin St. Louis raving about his “quick mind” and captain Nick Suzuki marveling at his “elite plays,” the hype is deafening. Yet, Slafkovsky’s candid words reveal a deeper story—one of rivalry, respect, and a rookie who’s rewriting the script faster than anyone expected.

What did Slafkovsky say that’s got Habs Nation in a frenzy? And what does Demidov’s blazing start mean for Montreal’s future? Dive in to uncover the secrets behind this game-changing moment!

Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

After the Montreal Canadiens’ last-minute victory over the Calgary Flames, a brilliant overtime play by Ivan Demidov went viral online.

But beyond the goal itself, it was Juraj Slafkovsky’s comment that really caught everyone’s attention.

In his opinion, Demidov is adapting to the NHL much faster than he did himself.

The 19-year-old Russian forward delivered another magical moment Wednesday night in Calgary. It’s wild! Hard to believe Demidov is only playing his 10th regular season game…

He patiently drew two defenders toward him before spotting Mike Matheson, wide open on the other side, for the winning goal.

“WHAT A SETUP BY DEMIDOV” – NHL Status

“Obviously, (Demidov has) got great feet, he’s got great deception, quick hands,” said Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis,

“But he’s got a quick mind, too, so he can execute fast what he sees, and we saw that multiple times tonight.” – Martin St-Louis

That’s what Martin St-Louis said after the game, quoted in an article from Sportsnet.

Juraj Slafkovsky impressed by Ivan Demidov’s quick adaptation

For Slafkovsky, who himself went through an adjustment period when he arrived in Montreal after being drafted first overall, the observation is clear… he thinks Demidov is progressing at an insane pace.

“He’s doing it way faster than I did it,” said Juraj Slafkovsky

You can tell he’s genuinely impressed by his teammate’s confidence and creativity.

And he’s not wrong. In just 15 NHL games (including playoffs and regular season), Demidov already looks comfortable on the smaller North American ice.

His vision, patience, and precision make him such a dangerous player.

Even captain Nick Suzuki has noticed the young player’s maturity:

“Demi’s starting to make elite plays all the time, and he’s learning his way through the NHL.”

– Nick Suzuki

In my opinion, I think we’ve only seen a glimpse of his true potential.