Ivan Demidov remains absent from practice, and Martin St-Louis still has no confirmed return date for the Montreal Canadiens forward.
The concerning development came Monday when Demidov missed another team practice, raising fresh questions about his recovery from a foot injury.
Even more troubling, the talented Russian forward wasn't seen skating on the secondary ice alongside Mike Matheson and Florian Xhekaj, who were also absent from regular practice.
Montreal originally announced on October 6 that Demidov would be sidelined for two to four weeks. Since that announcement, the organization has offered little clarity about his progress.
With the Canadiens preparing to face the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, there's no concrete indication that Demidov is close to returning to the lineup.
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His absence doesn't necessarily indicate a setback, but the lack of visible progress has become a growing concern for fans waiting for encouraging news.
Canadiens remain quiet about Ivan Demidov's recovery
On October 15, reporter Maxime Truman revealed that Demidov's foot was healing quickly, suggesting his absence could be closer to two weeks than four.
Truman also warned that rehabilitation rarely follows a straight line. His earlier report hasn't been contradicted, but Demidov's continued absence from skating activities leaves plenty of uncertainty.
The 20-year-old forward had recorded a goal and an assist through two games before his injury interrupted his promising start.
Alex Newhook has occupied the second-line center position, with four points through eight games, while Montreal continues adjusting its offensive combinations.
For St-Louis, losing Demidov means playing without a creative presence capable of generating scoring chances and adding another offensive threat to the top six.
No return date as Montreal faces a difficult stretch
The Canadiens entered this stretch with a 4-3-1 record and a four-game road trip approaching after their home matchup against San Jose.
Meanwhile, Matheson, Samuel Montembeault and Xhekaj were also listed as absent, with the Canadiens indicating that their respective statuses remained unchanged.
The biggest question remains Demidov's availability. With no confirmed return date and no recent appearance on the ice, Montreal's silence is leaving supporters increasingly frustrated.
Until Demidov resumes skating or the organization delivers a clearer medical update, speculation surrounding his recovery will continue.
Should the Canadiens be more transparent about Ivan Demidov's injury and expected return?
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