Change is never easy—especially in the world of professional hockey, where every decision is scrutinized by passionate fans and the stakes seem to climb higher with each passing game. This morning in Montreal, the air was thick with tension and speculation as the Canadiens unveiled a series of bold, unexpected moves following their narrow 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. For those who follow the Tricolore closely, the headlines were already swirling: injuries, mysterious gestures, and now, a power play shakeup that could alter the team’s trajectory for weeks to come.

At the center of this whirlwind is Ivan Demidov, the young right winger whose raw talent and electric style have made him one of the most talked-about prospects in recent memory. Just days ago, Demidov’s place on the Canadiens’ top power-play unit seemed secure—a sign of trust from head coach Martin St-Louis and a reward for the rookie’s hard work since arriving in Montreal. But in a move that no one saw coming, Demidov was abruptly shifted to the second unit, replaced by Zachary Bolduc, whose own sudden rise has fans and insiders buzzing about what’s really happening behind the scenes.

What prompted this dramatic change? Was it simply a reaction to the team’s ongoing struggles with the man advantage—an attempt to shake things up and spark new chemistry? Or is there something deeper at play, a hidden story that only those inside the locker room truly understand? The Canadiens’ recent power-play performance has been nothing short of disastrous, with the team going 0-for-7 against the Bruins and failing to capitalize on crucial opportunities. As frustration mounts, every tweak and adjustment is magnified, every coaching decision dissected for clues about the team’s direction.

But Demidov’s demotion is just one piece of a larger puzzle. In the wake of the loss, the Canadiens have had to contend with a string of injuries, including the news that Kirby Dach will be sidelined for several weeks, forcing the team to call up Joshua Roy and rethink their lineup strategy. Meanwhile, whispers of locker room drama and subtle on-ice gestures—like Tanner Jeannot’s post-fight move toward Xhekaj—have only fueled speculation that something bigger is brewing beneath the surface.

For fans, the question is simple yet loaded with emotion: Was moving Ivan Demidov off the top power-play unit the right call? Will this shakeup pay off, or will it only deepen the team’s woes as they fight to regain their footing in a fiercely competitive league? Head coach Martin St-Louis has earned a reputation for bold leadership and creative solutions, but even his most loyal supporters are watching closely, eager to see if these latest changes will deliver the spark Montreal so desperately needs.

As the dust settles and the Canadiens prepare for their next challenge, the spotlight remains fixed on Demidov and the evolving power-play units. The answers may not come easily, but one thing is certain: in Montreal, every move is a story, and this one is far from over.

Nov 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (93) looks on during warm-ups before the game against the Dallas Stars at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Martin St-Louis, has just made significant changes to the power play, and Ivan Demidov is paying the price.

Things are shaking up today for the Tricolore, following yet another loss, this time 3-2 against the Boston Bruins.

First, we learned that Tanner Jeannot made a subtle post-fight gesture toward Xhekaj that got many people talking:

The Canadiens then revealed Kirby Dach will be out 4-6 weeks with a foot injury, leading to the call-up of Joshua Roy:

But that wasn’t all…

In the past few minutes, the Canadiens made some pretty major changes to the power play.

The young Ivan Demidov pays the price for the Montreal Canadiens’ power-play struggles

I really didn’t see this one coming…

Ivan Demidov has just learned that he’s being demoted to the second power-play unit… ouch.

“Habs have Zachary Bolduc in bumper spot on No. 1 power play at practice this morning with Lane Hutson, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky.”

– Stu Cowan

“Second power-play unit at practice has Oliver Kapanen in bumper spot with Nick Suzuki, Brendan Gallagher, Ivan Demidov and Noah Dobson.”

– Stu Cowan

So Zachary Bolduc has earned a promotion and is placed on the first power-play unit, while young Ivan Demidov unfortunately takes the hit with a demotion and is moved down to the second wave.

Personally, I really don’t believe this was the solution to jump-start the Habs’ power play, but hey, I truly trust Martin St-Louis, so I’m very curious to see what happens next…

And you, do you like these changes?

Do you think it was the right decision to “move” Ivan Demidov off the first power-play unit?

Details to follow.