Martin St-Louis just said he doesn't know whether Ivan Demidov is going with the Canadiens to New York.
A reporter asked the Montreal head coach directly: "Do you know if Ivan Demidov is going with you to New York?" St-Louis answered: "I don't know, I'm not sure."
The question came on a night the Canadiens would rather forget. They lost 1-4 to the Avalanche at home, and now they head to Madison Square Garden on Monday to face the Rangers.
It's a short answer, and it leaves a lot open. A coach who normally has a clear read on his roster couldn't say whether a 20-year-old center, drafted fifth overall in 2024, is even on the trip.
Demidov is listed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, expected to be out until at least Nov. 21, according to the latest injury report. That date is an estimate, but it falls after Monday's game in New York.
St-Louis also admitted he doesn't know how long he'll be Montreal's coach, while insisting he isn't worried about it. Two "I don't know" answers in one day will get fans talking.
Will Ivan Demidov play Monday against the Rangers?
Going by the listing, no. An injury expected to keep him out until at least Nov. 21 doesn't fit a return on Nov. 16.
The bigger question is whether he travels at all, and St-Louis couldn't say. Whether Demidov joins the group in New York or stays back, the Canadiens will have to explain his status sooner rather than later.
The timing is awkward for Montreal. Demidov has played just 2 games this season, with 1 goal and 1 assist, after putting up 66 points in 86 career games. A player of that profile isn't supposed to be a mystery on the injury list.
We think the vagueness matters more than the answer itself. An update that's simply "he's out until at least Nov. 21" is easy to give. Not knowing whether he's on the plane makes fans wonder how much is still unsettled.
The team around him isn't in crisis. The Canadiens are 12-4-4 and have gone 7-1-2 over their last 10, with a 7-1-1 road record that gives them some cushion in New York.
The Rangers will be waiting. They're 12-8-1, riding a two-game win streak after a 5-1 victory in Vancouver on Friday, and they're 8-2-0 at home.
St-Louis will likely get the question again before the Canadiens leave. The injury listing, with its Nov. 21 mark, is the only timeline on the table for now.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
When will Ivan Demidov return to the Canadiens lineup?
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