2 Canadiens Prospects Are Giving Fans Something to Watch

The Montreal Canadiens have plenty of young talent to watch, and sometimes the most interesting developments happen well outside the NHL. Two names worth watching right now are defenseman Luke Mittelstadt in Laval and forward Alexander Zharovsky in Russia. They're at different stages of development, but both give Montreal reasons to keep checking in.

Luke Mittelstadt Is Making His Mark in Laval.

Mittelstadt had himself a pretty good Sunday. The 23-year-old defenseman scored a goal and added two assists as the Laval Rocket beat Hartford 5-2. That's a nice afternoon's work for a young player trying to get noticed in an organization with plenty of competition.

What makes his start especially interesting is that Mittelstadt has seven points in his first four games this season. He managed five points in nine regular-season games last year after signing out of college. That's a pretty encouraging jump, even if we need to be careful about drawing big conclusions from a handful of games.

For a defenseman, putting points on the board can help get people talking. Still, making it to Montreal takes more than collecting assists and scoring the occasional goal. The Canadiens will want to see how he handles the defensive side of the game, makes decisions under pressure, and keeps adjusting to the professional level.

I wouldn't expect Montreal to rush him. There's no need to force the issue when he can keep developing with the Rocket. But if Mittelstadt keeps producing and rounds out his game, he could put himself in the conversation for an NHL opportunity down the road. A potential roster spot in 2027-28 is something to watch, although a lot can happen between now and then.

Related: Chris Kreider Could Be Bigger for the Canadiens Than We Think

Alexander Zharovsky Is Gaining Valuable Experience in Russia.

Meanwhile, Zharovsky is continuing his development with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL. The 19-year-old has two goals and six assists through his first 14 games this season. Those numbers are a little quieter than his production last year, when he recorded 42 points in 59 regular-season games. But let's remember how young he is. Playing regularly in the KHL for a second consecutive season is valuable experience, and development doesn't always follow a straight line.

The Canadiens can afford to be patient here. Zharovsky is getting opportunities against experienced professionals, and that kind of competition can teach a young player plenty. His job is to keep improving, stay consistent, and show he can contribute even when the points aren't coming as easily.

He's in the final year of his contract, so a move to North America for the 2027-28 season is a possibility. That would give Canadiens fans a chance to see how his game translates to a different style of hockey.

Two Young Canadiens to Watch.

For now, there's no need to make either prospect into a future star before he's ready. Mittelstadt is producing in Laval, and Zharovsky is gaining experience in the KHL. Those are two developments worth following as Montreal continues to build for the future.

Related: The Player Montreal Might Be Missing More Than We Realize