The world of hockey is never short on surprises, and as the anticipation for the 2025 NHL season continues to build, fans and insiders alike are buzzing about recent developments that could reshape the future of the league’s most promising young stars.

With the annual NHL Rookie Showcase just around the corner, excitement is reaching fever pitch as teams prepare to spotlight their newest talents in Washington this September. The Montreal Canadiens, always a team to watch, are sending one of their top draft picks to represent them at this prestigious event—a move that has already sparked plenty of discussion among fans.

But beneath the surface of this seemingly routine announcement lies a twist that few saw coming. While some choices for the Rookie Showcase have been met with applause, others have left the hockey community scratching their heads, questioning the criteria behind these selections. In fact, one particular omission has ignited a wave of speculation and debate, raising eyebrows across the league and prompting calls for answers.

What could possibly explain this puzzling decision? As details slowly emerge, the story is taking on a life of its own, and the implications for one rising star—and the Canadiens—could be far greater than anyone anticipated.

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

We recently reported on the National Hockey League’s announcement regarding the players invited to the famous 2025 Rookie Showcase.

This annual event, which could be described as the NHL’s showcase of rookies, will take place on September 3 in Washington.

A certain David Reinbacher will therefore represent the Montreal Canadiens there.

Reinbacher is a very good choice!

However, it’s not Reinbacher’s invitation that’s controversial here, but rather the absence of an invitation for young Ivan Demidov!

Ivan Demidov seems to be penalized by the NHL because of his nationality

Or at least, I honestly don’t see any other reason why (with all due respect) a player like Ben Danford or Cam Squires would be invited, while Demidov is completely ignored.

It’s really unusual and hard to understand.

I hope we’ll get a logical explanation a little later to clarify this decision, but for now, it really seems like Demidov has been penalized for a reason we don’t know.

He absolutely would have deserved his spot at the 2025 NHL Rookie Showcase, alongside his teammate David Reinbacher, especially since there are teams that will have two or more representatives.

Ivan Demidov, only 19 years old, is a 6-foot-1, 192-pound winger who was the Montreal Canadiens’ 5th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft (first round).

Last season, he recorded 2 points in 2 games with the Habs, as well as 49 points in 65 games with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL.

He also added 5 points in 6 KHL playoff games, along with 2 points in 5 NHL playoff games.

Demidov is one of the brightest prospects in the entire NHL, and he really seems on his way to becoming one of the faces of the NHL.

If this snub gives him even more motivation for the upcoming season, then all the better for the Habs!