Habs Daily: Demidov Update, Salary Cap Options, Suzuki, Xhekaj, Fowler, Kucherov, Taxes, Pugachyov

Here are the Montreal Canadiens and NHL news items you may have missed on Thursday.

• Dan Milstein, who represents Ivan Demidov, clarified the player’s injury recovery, or rather, extended recovery period. Originally, Demidov was expected to miss up to four weeks, but a month later, he’s still a few weeks removed from being cleared to play. Milstein also discussed Demidov’s contract extension, and the motivation behind signing a good-value deal with the Canadiens. [Demidov’s Agent Explains Injury Complication, Canadiens Salary Cap Structure]

• Nick Suzuki returned to the lineup on Thursday, and did not waste any time making an impact, scoring the first goal of the game for the Canadiens versus the Utah Mammoth. Arber Xhekaj also enjoyed a great game, scoring with a heavy blast from the point, before engaging in a highly-entertaining fight. In the end, Suzuki finished the game with three points, including an assist on Cole Caufield’s perfect game-winning overtime goal. [Canadiens Highlights: Suzuki Immediately Shines Upon Return To Play]

• Speaking of Xhekaj, is there any reason the Canadiens should not give him an opportunity to play on the second powerplay unit? He has a heavy shot, and Montreal’s powerplay could definitely stand to be improved.

Arber Xhekaj blasts one from the point to tie the game for the #GoHabsGo https://t.co/V2p3NyaKkY

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) November 6, 2026

• Even though he missed a few games for the first time of his career, Suzuki still ranks among the top NHL players in average game scores.

Top average Game Score this season (min 5 GP) https://t.co/a4P9Pu9QYy

— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) November 5, 2026

• He’s also incredibly underrated when it comes to trolling opponents, but I digress.

lol at Suzuki testing Simashev’s legs with a slight tap, to make sure there are no structural issues at play.His trolling game is underrated.

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) November 6, 2026

• Jock Taxes, a very interesting account on Twitter, explained the differences in play for Nikita Kucherov when it comes to signing a potential contract in Quebec, compared to a deal signed in Florida. Okay, “interesting” is a subjective term in this case, but given the importance of taxes in the grand scheme of things, it’s definitely relevant to Habs fans.

Quick video explainer of tax effects. In this theoretical head to head, we look at 6x$15M in Tampa vs. 6x$18M in Montreal. https://t.co/Yu5IEYtLvd

— JockTaxes (@JockTaxes) November 5, 2026

• After a relatively slow start to the season, first-round pick Gleb Pugachyov is picking up steam. He scored his second goal of the year on Thursday. It should be noted Pugachyov is currently playing in the MHL, the Russian equivalent to the CHL.

Habs prospect Gleb Pugachyov scores his 2nd goal of the season for Chaika Nizhny Novgorod in the MHL https://t.co/JxE3VHOu8C

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) November 5, 2026

• It must be said that Kirby Dach enjoyed his best game of the season versus Utah. And not only because he scored, though that was definitely important. Overall, he produced excellent underlying numbers.

NHL Game Score Impact Card for Montréal Canadiens on 2026-11-05: https://t.co/wP9XaEhEZU

— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) November 6, 2026

• ICYMI: With captain Nick Suzuki returning to play, and Ivan Demidov on the mend, the competition for the remaining roster spots is heating up. To make matters more complicated, young players such as Owen Beck have done everything asked of them, providing tertiary offence, as well as an endless stream of energy from the fourth line. [Important Roster Decisions Loom As Young Canadiens Impress In Suzuki’s Absence]

• The Seattle Kraken are off to a franchise-best 9-5-1 through 15 games, despite dealing with some very real penalty killing issues.[Seattle Kraken]

• In this special introductory edition of Canucks Farm Report, we will look at the last month of Abbotsford hockey, top performers of the week, and injury updates. [Vancouver Canucks]

• Former Hab Justin Barron has bounced from team to team in his career, but he may have finally found a home with the St. Louis Blues. [St. Louis Blues]

• The Boston Bruins made it three in a row with a dominant 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena. [Boston Bruins]

Related Headlines

• Canadiens Highlights: Suzuki Immediately Shines In Return To Play

• Demidov’s Agent Explains Injury Complication, Canadiens Salary Cap Structure

• Canadiens Preview: Suzuki Returns, Young Players Sidelined

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