Ivan Demidov is staying in Montreal for the long haul.

The Canadiens signed the skilled Russian forward to an eight-year, US$73.2-million contract extension that begins in the 2027-28 season, locking up another cornerstone of their talented young core as NHL free agency opened Wednesday.

Demidov led all rookies with 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists) last season and finished second in Calder Trophy voting.

The 20-year-old winger — selected fifth overall at the 2024 NHL draft — added nine points in 19 playoff games during Montreal’s run to the Eastern Conference final.

The extension keeps Demidov under contract with the Canadiens through the 2034-35 season. He joins Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson, among others, as key members of Montreal’s young core signed through at least 2030.

Defenceman Noah Dobson, signed at $9.5 million annually until 2033, remains the team’s highest-paid player with the NHL salary cap set to rise significantly over the next few seasons.

Demidov and the Canadiens agreed to the eight-year extension before Sept. 15, when the maximum contract length for re-signing players drops to seven years under the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement.

In Toronto, veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is joining the Maple Leafs on a three-year contract worth a reported $21-million after winning two Stanley Cups over seven seasons with the Florida Panthers.

The 37-year-old former Vézina Trophy winner is coming off a down year, posting a .877 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average as the Panthers missed the playoffs.

The swing for Bobrovsky was one of several Canada Day moves as the Maple Leafs look to rebound from a disappointing season.

In his first free agency in charge, Leafs general manager John Chayka also signed Colton Sissons and several other reported depth forwards, including Jack Roslovic and Teddy Blueger.

Chayka also acquired forward Nick Paul from the Lightning, shipping goalie Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 third-round selection to Tampa Bay.

Earlier Wednesday, Toronto traded pending restricted free agent Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round pick in 2028, while winger Matias Maccelli signed a one-year deal with the New York Islanders.

The Winnipeg Jets signed former Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner to a two-year, $7.5-million contract amid rumours that Vezina Trophy-winning netminder Connor Hellebuyck could be on the move.

Skinner reached the Stanley Cup final with the Oilers in 2024 and 2025 before being traded to the Penguins last season. The 27-year-old posted a .888 save percentage and a 2.92 goals-against average in 50 games split between the two teams.

Meanwhile, longtime Hellebuyck backup Eric Comrie signed a two-year, $2.3-million contract with the San Jose Sharks.

The Oilers also added in the crease, acquiring Devon Levi — and a 2028 seventh-round pick — from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2028 third-round pick. Once a top goalie prospect, Levi played this entire past season with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

In Vancouver, journeyman defenceman Luke Schenn is joining the Canucks for the third time on a one-year, $2.25-million deal. The 36-year-old Schenn, who spent last season in Buffalo and Winnipeg, last played for Vancouver in 2023.

The Canucks also added forward Paul Cotter for one year, $2.15 million.

Elsewhere, the Ottawa Senators signed goalie Samuel Ersson to a two-year, $4.4-million deal and extended Nick Cousins on a two-year contract worth $3.175 million.

The Senators acquired Ersson from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2027 fifth-round pick last week before allowing him to — briefly — hit free agency.

The 26-year-old Swede posted a .870 save percentage and 3.12 goals-against average across 33 games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season.

Cousins registered nine goals, 23 points and 92 penalty minutes in 81 games for the Senators last season.

The Senators have had a busy off-season already, trading captain Brady Tkachuk to the Panthers and acquiring forward William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks.

Defenceman Nick Jensen exits the nation’s capital on a two-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks for $4.5 million.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2026.