Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov signed an eight-year, $73.2MM contract extension on the opening day of free agency, carrying an AAV of $9.15MM. Considering some of the high-priced deals that have been signed since then, this deal already looks like a bargain. Demidov’s agent Dan Milstein told Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette that his client knew he was leaving money on the table but wanted to do so to allow the team to try to add other pieces to help them win. He also made it clear that he wanted an eight-year agreement over pursuing a shorter-term pact as some other top youngsters have done this summer. Demidov was the fifth overall pick in 2024 and had 62 points in 82 games last season, finishing second in Calder Trophy balloting.
More from the Atlantic:
Bruins defenseman Frederic Brunet finds himself waiver-eligible for the first time heading into training camp. With the team having ample depth on the back end already, com’s Conor Ryan outlines that a move that sends out a defender would be a viable option. Brunet is just 23 and running the risk of losing him for nothing on waivers in a few weeks wouldn’t necessarily be the best asset management. Boston has nine defensemen on one-way deals at the moment and while Charlie McAvoy will miss six games to start the year due to suspension, there won’t be room to carry all nine on the roster, let alone Brunet.
Still with the Bruins, prospect Dans Locmelis has fully recovered from late-season shoulder surgery, relays Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe. The 22-year-old had a solid first full professional season at AHL Providence, tallying 15 goals and 13 assists in 43 games while scoring twice for Latvia in four games at the Olympics. Locmelis could have an outside chance to crack Boston’s roster out of training camp but is more likely to start again with Providence with the hopes of playing his way into an in-season recall.