The Montreal Canadiens' future has looked increasingly promising over the last few seasons, and that has only grown following the team's Eastern Conference Final appearance this past postseason. Now, the organization has taken another significant step toward building a long-term contender for the Stanley Cup, as they have signed Ivan Demidov to an eight-year contract extension worth $9.1 million annually, beginning with the 2027-28 season. More importantly than the dollar fig

Entering this past week the Montreal Canadiens, according to multiple hockey stats websites, had anywhere from about a 92-94% chance to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. Now, after back to back losses at home against two California teams they had just lost to the week prior in the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks, their playoff odds are still currently strong at about 80%, but they have set themselves up for a huge upcoming week with multiple Eastern Conf