Ivan Demidov practices with Alex Newhook and Joel Armia

It’s D-Day.

After taking his first strides on Quebec soil yesterday, Ivan Demidov was present at the Habs’ practice in Montreal, ahead of tonight’s game against the Blackhawks.

And once again, he was expected.

Ivan Demidov trains for the first time at the Centre Bell ! #Canadiens #LNH pic.twitter.com/CcG9zoI7Iw

— RDS (@RDSca) April 14, 2025

Naturally, we were wondering which players the Russian would practice with. Alex Newhook was at the center, which is not exactly a surprise…

But it was Joel Armia who was with them.

Ivan Demidov is with Alex Newhook and Joel Armia.

— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) April 14, 2025

As the first trio is untouched and Christian Dvorak’s is not either, this means that Patrik Laine practiced with Jake Evans at center – and Oliver Kapanen.

I wonder how Laine finds this…

More details to come…