Habs take Demidov 5th overall, Celine Dion makes pick

The Montreal Canadiens drafted Russian winger Ivan Demidov with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.

Ivan Demidov

Iconic Quebec-born singer and Vegas resident Celine Dion made the selection.

Demidov is a highly skilled winger with arguably the best hands in the draft. He's a dangerous threat as both a passer and a shooter.

He didn't make much of an impact during his four-game stint in the KHL this season, but he dominated Russia's junior league, finishing four back of the league lead in points despite skating in 24 fewer games.

There's always some level of concern about a player who has a modest frame and an unorthodox skating stride like Demidov, but his skill is so far off the charts that he's bound be a high-end point producer in the NHL who can run a power play from the flank.

Still, Demidov needs at least one more year of seasoning - maybe even two - before playing in the NHL. He's signed for one more year in Russia, so expect him to spend the 2024-25 campaign in the KHL. Ideally, he could come to North America afterward to hone his craft with an NHL player development staff. He could begin 2025-26 in the AHL while pushing for a job with the big club that season or the year after.

Demidov said Friday that he doesn't have a Canadian visa so he won't be able to attend Montreal's development camp, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu.

What they're saying

"He is the most purely skilled player in the draft and is extremely creative in making plays with the puck," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman, who ranked Demidov No. 8 on his board and compared him to Detroit Red Wings phenom Lucas Raymond. "He has an excellent motor, attacks the net consistently, and competes hard to win pucks. Demidov created scoring chances seemingly every shift this season."