What Happened
General manager Kent Hughes told Sportsnet that Ivan Demidov is progressing in his recovery from a lower-body injury sustained on Oct. 3. Although the forward was initially given a two-to-four week timeline, more than a month has passed since his last game action. Hughes noted that Demidov is currently skating with the team and has not experienced any setbacks, but an exact return date remains undetermined.
Key Details
- Demidov has been out since Oct. 3 with a lower-body injury.
- Initial recovery estimate was two to four weeks.
- The 20-year-old forward is currently skating with the team.
- No specific timeline for return has been announced.
- Hughes stated no setbacks have occurred during recovery.
What It Means
The extended absence exceeds the initial projection, highlighting the uncertainty often associated with lower-body injuries. While the lack of setbacks is a positive sign, the absence of a firm timeline means the Canadiens must continue to manage their forward group without Demidov in the near term.
What's Next
The Canadiens return to action Saturday in a road game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Demidov still out.