Rule Change Creates Urgency in Negotiations Between Canadiens and Demidov

The Montreal Canadiens and Ivan Demidov may not need months to hammer out a long-term deal — and a looming NHL rule change is a big reason why.

While Lane Hutson’s eight-year, $8.85 million AAV contract came together because the Canadiens and GM Kent Hughes were prepared to wait, Montreal doesn’t really have that luxury with Demidov. There’s now a ticking clock.

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With the NHL expected to eliminate eight-year contracts after September, both sides are motivated to get a deal done sooner rather than later. The Canadiens want Demidov signed for as long as possible. Demidov wants to stay. Ensuring the maximum term is still on the table, the Canadiens need to get his extension done before eight years comes off the table.

With Hutson, the Canadiens were patient. They allowed talks to stretch deeper into the season before finalizing an agreement that ultimately came in below some market projections. That pressure was felt by Hutson, as he got off to a bad start and ultimately came back to the Habs wanting to get his deal done and put all the stress of not knowing behind him.

It worked out well for Montreal, which now has a budding star and future Norris Trophy candidate on a team-friendly deal.

In any other situation, Hughes might take the same approach while negotiating Demidov’s deal. Only, he can’t. Not if he wants eight years to be part of the equation. Like Hutson, Demidov is viewed as a franchise cornerstone, and there’s strong incentive from both sides to lock in cost certainty early. Hutson’s contract is a bit of a comparable — even though the two play different positions.

There Is Urgency To Get This Done: Will Demidov Use His Leverage?

Demidov’s situation carries added pressure that Hutson’s didn’t. The rule change could accelerate talks and limit the kind of prolonged negotiation seen in Hutson’s case. At the same time, it gives Demidov leverage that Hutson didn’t have. Whether or not he uses that leverage remains to be seen.

The Canadiens have already said they want this done and that they want a long-term deal.“There is no doubt we see Ivan as a core player of our team,” Hughes said. “Ideally, we would sign him to a long-term contract rather than a short-term contract.”

The good news is that Demidov wants to stay and he sees what Montreal is building.

“We talked a little bit about that,” Demidov said. “Just saying to each other that it’s important to stay here for a long time because the group that we have here is a (Stanley) Cup team.” He added, “This is a team that’s going to win, not only one Cup, but I think a couple more,” Demidov said. “That’s my expectation. That’s what I see in this team.”

There’s also the pressure to keep the momentum going. The Canadiens are disappointed with their playoff exit, but pumped about how far they went and how bright their future is. Getting a Demidov deal done only adds to the excitement that roster will feel about what comes next.

And, if they can do a deal on or just after July 1, Hughes has money to build around this already great, relatively inexpensive core.

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