KHL Rookie of the Year: Ivan Demidov among the finalists

Surprise… or not.

Ivan Demidov has just learned that he has been officially nominated for Rookie of the Year by the KHL, which made the announcement on the league’s social networks.

Semyon Vyazovoi and Yegor Surin also received the same honor.

Ivan Demidov, Semyon Vyazovoi, Yegor Surin are the finalists for KHL Rookie of the Year Award: https://t.co/fwBmiBVyv7#KHLAwards pic.twitter.com/RLW5umv3Xs

– KHL (@khl_eng) May 16, 2025

Because Demidov collected 19 goals and 30 assists in 65 games in his first full season with SKA, his chances of winning the title are excellent.

In fact, I expect him to win.

Not only did Demidov, who was often the Rookie of the Week in the Russian league, get points en masse at 18, but he was spectacular on the ice.

He’s a no-brainer in my book.

So it’s interesting to note that the Canadiens organization has a finalist for Rookie of the Year in the two best leagues in the world: the KHL and the NHL.

Because yes, we must remember that Lane Hutson is a finalist in the NHL – and he has a chance of winning the title.

The three finalists for NHL Rookie of the Year: Macklin Celebrini, Lane Hutson and Dustin Wolf pic.twitter.com/srK1Y0ZMEk

– NHL (@NHL_EN) May 5, 2025

IF all goes well, Hutson and Demidov will win the title in their respective leagues in 2024-2025, and the Russian will succeed the American in 2025-2026, in his first full season on the Bettman circuit.

The Calder has eluded the Canadiens organization for decades… and now, more than ever, it could take root in Quebec.

overtime

– Happy birthday, Corey Perry.

Happy birthday to former Canadiens Corey Perry, who turns 40 today. He had 19-11-30 totals in 81 regular-season games this season with the Edmonton Oilers and has added 5-2-7 totals in 11 playoff games. #Habs pic.twitter.com/vERaozl7kX

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) May 16, 2025

– Logan Hensler (potential Habs target) compares himself to Jake Sanderson.[RG media]

– Um…

“You play this time of year against one team, there gets to be a little bit of hate out there. That’s ok.”

Pete DeBoer had this to say about the scrums at the end of the game. pic.twitter.com/QNnOwsLjYq

– BarDown (@BarDown) May 16, 2025

– It’s going to be a bumpy ride at the draft.

Been hearing that unprotected 2026 picks could be the asks from certain teams, rather than using picks from this draft.

Also being told that teams have prepared the notion of asking for 2026 picks to move down as well.

– Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) May 16, 2025