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16:36 average playing time: Zharovsky won’t have the same problem as Demidov

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 8:29 PM ET

It’s a well-known fact that young players tend to play less in the KHL, especially when they’re playing for a big-name club. We saw this with Ivan Demidov last season, when the Canadiens’ prospect was really badly used by Roman Rotenberg and SKA St. Petersburg. But that didn’t stop him from having a great season, because he found a way to showcase his talent, despite everything. Right now, though, it’s a different story with Alexander Zharovsky. The Canadiens’ prospect has been one of his coach’s most-used forwards in his first two games of the season (15:24 and 17:49), and he’s taking full advantage. In two games, Zharovsky already has three points (including a superb goal) on the board. And he scored those points in fine style:

Alexander Zharovsky added sweet assist 1G, 1A in first game of the season for the 18-year-old! pic.twitter.com/op4fOqdK7R

– KHL (@khl_eng) September 27, 2025

2nd game, 2nd assist by 18-year-old Alexander Zharovsky pic.twitter.com/nh9u9vTBOr

– KHL (@khl_eng) October 2, 2025

Given quality playing time, Zharovsky will have the opportunity to showcase his skills. And that’s exactly what’s happening so far. His coach, Viktor Kozlov, has faith in him and the results are there too – which is interesting for the Canadiens organization. We knew he had skills after his selection in the last draft, but it’s also nice to see him producing like this at just 18 years of age in the KHL, which is one of the best leagues in the world.

But it’s the way Zharovsky handles himself on the ice that really stands out: the forward looks confident, he’s not afraid to use his creativity to create plays and it seems that talent is coming out of both his ears. And so much the better, if he’s able to play en masse to help his club, because that can help his development too. It’s different from Demidov last year, that’s for sure…

’Overtime’

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– Well done.