What should have been a showcase of rising star Ivan Demidov’s talent turned into an ugly controversy — and Habs fans are livid.
Late in a preseason matchup, the 19-year-old phenom was cut down by a shocking two-handed slash from Ottawa’s notorious agitator Nick Cousins. Demidov, who had already dazzled with two assists, crumpled in pain clutching his wrist, forcing him off the ice as the Bell Centre crowd erupted in fury.
Head coach Martin St. Louis didn’t mince words afterward, blasting Cousins’ cheap shot as “completely unnecessary” and questioning why such reckless play is tolerated in exhibition hockey. “These games are about development,” he stressed. “Not injuring kids who are just getting started.”
Thankfully, early reports suggest Demidov avoided serious damage, but the Canadiens are treading carefully. The rookie sensation is expected to sit out the next preseason tilt as a precaution, with the team’s eyes fixed on keeping him healthy for the season opener against Toronto.
The reaction around the league has been swift and furious. Analysts ripped into Cousins, calling the slash cowardly and gutless, while fans flooded social media demanding suspensions. The NHL Department of Player Safety is now reviewing the incident, and pressure is mounting for the league to send a message with meaningful discipline.
The irony? Montreal still rolled to a dominant 5-0 win — but no one was talking about the score. All attention is now on Demidov’s health and the ugly side of preseason hockey.
For a franchise building around its new wave of young talent, the incident underscores a troubling question: Why are future stars being exposed to reckless violence in meaningless preseason games?
Habs Nation has made one thing clear: they won’t forgive, and they won’t forget. The spotlight is now on the NHL — will Nick Cousins pay the price, or will this dirty hit be swept under the rug?
