Montreal — Good news for Montreal Canadiens fans: young prospect Alexander Zharovsky has kicked off his KHL season with strength, making it clear he won’t face the same developmental hurdles Ivan Demidov did.
At just 18 years old, Zharovsky has already secured a significant role on his Russian team, logging over 15 minutes of ice time per game. In his first two appearances, he’s tallied three points and delivered several highlight-reel plays, sparking excitement among analysts and fans alike.
“Zharovsky was one of the most used forwards in his first two games of the season and he is taking full advantage of it,” noted Marc-Olivier Cook in a piece published by DansLesCoulisses.
This start contrasts sharply with Demidov’s experience last year, when he had to fight for every shift under Roman Rotenberg at SKA despite his undeniable talent. Zharovsky, on the other hand, appears to benefit from his coach’s full confidence—a factor that could be decisive in his development.
Beyond the stats, what truly stands out is his demeanor: confident, composed, and mature. If he continues on this path, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear his name echoing in Montreal much sooner than expected.
While Demidov was clearly NHL-ready last season, many wonder if he might have performed even better in the playoffs had he received more ice time in Russia. Zharovsky, by contrast, seems to be getting exactly what he needs to grow: trust, responsibility, and consistency.