The moment Ivan Demidov’s stick sliced through the Utah air, sending the puck past a stunned Mammoth goalie and igniting the Canadiens bench, you could almost hear the collective gasp of Montreal fans watching from thousands of miles away. In a single, electric flash—a photo frozen in time—Demidov stood out among the chaos: arms raised, eyes blazing, his name echoing through the arena as the scoreboard tilted in the Habs’ favor. But as the celebrations faded and the ice was cleared, a new and unexpected debate began to simmer, one that has quickly become the talk of the city.

Because while Demidov’s heroics helped erase a dangerous deficit and secure a thrilling 4-3 victory for Montreal, the real story wasn’t just about the goals. It was about the minutes. Or, more precisely, the lack of them. As the stats trickled in after the final horn, a single number jumped off the page: 12 minutes and 52 seconds. That’s all the ice time Ivan Demidov saw, despite being one of the most dynamic and productive players on the roster—a player who, in just three weeks, has transformed the Canadiens’ offense and put up 18 points with a style that demands attention every time he touches the puck.

The image of Demidov, caught in the glare of the arena lights, is now at the center of a growing storm. On social media, fans and analysts alike are asking the same question: Why is Montreal’s breakout star spending so much time on the bench, especially when the team needs a spark? The contrast is stark—while teammates like Jake Evans, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Zachary Bolduc routinely log 16 to 18 minutes per game, Demidov’s ice time remains stubbornly low, even as his impact grows with each shift.

Martin St-Louis, the Canadiens’ head coach, has been open about the challenges of managing minutes in the heat of battle. He’s admitted that, at times, he loses track, especially late in games when the pressure is highest. But the spotlight on Demidov’s usage is now brighter than ever, and the questions are getting louder. Is this simply a matter of oversight, or is there a deeper strategy at play? Should Demidov be given a bigger role, especially as he quietly pushes toward a 67-point pace while averaging less than 15 minutes a night?

The debate isn’t just theoretical. It’s personal, emotional, and urgent. Every shift Demidov misses feels like a lost opportunity, every minute spent on the bench a potential turning point in a season where every point matters. The Canadiens are riding a wave of momentum after back-to-back wins, but beneath the surface, the tension is building. If things don’t change soon, the calls for more Demidov will only grow louder, and the pressure on St-Louis to adjust his game plan will reach new heights.

For now, the image remains: Ivan Demidov, the spark of Montreal’s offense, waiting for his next chance to change the game. And as the Canadiens prepare for their next challenge, one thing is clear—the story of Demidov’s ice time is far from over, and its next chapter promises even more drama, debate, and, perhaps, a breakthrough that could redefine the team’s season.

Photo of Ivan Demidov vs Utah Mammoth, Martin St-Louis

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov scored 1:27 apart early in the third period, helping the Canadiens erase their deficit and defeat the Mammoth 4-3 on Wednesday in Utah.

Another wild game – and another interesting reaction from Jakub Dobes. As observers of the Habs, we’re getting used to it.

After a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes, Montreal completely collapsed in the second period. André Tourigny’s men turned the situation around in five minutes, taking advantage of repeated mistakes by the Habs. Especially by Alex Carrier who was partly to blame on all three goals.

But the Canadiens finally found their rhythm at the right moment to secure a second straight win.

On the bright side, I thought Adam Engstrom handled himself very well for a first NHL game, even if his partner Alexandre Carrier clearly had a more difficult night. Suzuki and Bolduc were also very strong. And Demidov, once again, made the difference when it mattered.

The ice time of Ivan Demidov is becoming a real issue

Even though Ivan Demidov once again scored a big goal to help the team, another thing has been catching everyone’s attention since yesterday:

He played only 12 minutes and 52 seconds.

That is very little for a guy who already has 18 points, who has been playing high-impact hockey for three weeks, and who is dangerous every time he touches the puck.

On social media, several well-known people expressed their surprise. Some reminded everyone that Martin St-Louis had already said he sometimes loses track when managing minutes late in games.

Others think that a player like Demidov should play at least 16 minutes, especially when he changes the offense as much as he does.

“Ivan Demidov is quietly on pace for 67 points while playing 14:30 a game”

While players like Jake Evans, Juraj Slafkovsky, and even Zachary Bolduc often play between 16 and 18 minutes, I find that Demidov is still underused despite everything he brings.

Many are wondering why he spends so much time on the bench when the team needs a goal. And honestly, I really understand these reactions.

If his ice time does not change soon, this topic is going to come back even stronger.