Zharovsky Continuing To Produce In The KHL

Zharovsky’s 2nd assist of the season came on the power-play when he created a shot-pass scenario to his teammate right in front of the net for an easy tap-in goal. With that assist, Zharovsky not only showed his passing ability but also just how good a hockey brain he really has. At just 18 years old, Zharovsky is already a few steps ahead of his opponents when making a play in the offensive zone. This assist came during Wednesday’s 5-2 victory for Salavat UFA against Sibir Novosibirsk. 

On Sunday, Zharovsky managed to one-up his assist from Wednesday when he set up his linemate with a no-look backhand pass to help Salavat open the scoring against HK Sochi. Salavat would go on to win the game 3-1. 

They have won 2 of the 3 games that Zharovsky has played this season, after losing 6 of their first 7 games of the KHL campaign. Even if Zharovsky isn’t involved in every goal, it would seem that his impact in the lineup is contagious, as Salavat is looking much better as a whole since his return from an off-ice preseason injury.

After only three games with Salavat, Zharovsky is currently tied for 5th in points on the team with his 1 goal and 3 assists. It may be a small sample, but he is the only player on his team who is sitting above a point per game. It’s still early, but it’s almost safe to say he’s the most valuable player on Salavat early in the season. He even gets a good amount of ice time from his Head Coach, former NHL player Victor Kozlov. The fact that he has a former NHL player as a coach, he is more likely to be rewarded for his play.

Unlike Ivan Demidov’s situation with SKA St. Petersburg last year, Zharovsky is lucky that his coach is rewarding him for his strong play. Despite Demidov being among the top players on SKA as an 18-year-old, he was often punished for not agreeing to re-sign with the team to live out his dream in the NHL. Meanwhile, Zharovsky doesn’t have to deal with politics and gets to continue developing his game with no issues from the upper management. Zharovsky may not be playing for an elite KHL team, but it seems like a lower club like Salavat is perfect for young potential NHL talent to develop their games more than dealing with a veteran hierarchy for a top KHL team.

In conclusion, Zharovsky is off to a great start to his rookie KHL season, but he is also being given the opportunities to do so, which many 18-year-old NHL prospects don’t usually get in the KHL. Therefore, Zharovsky is likely to continue to have a strong year with Salavat.

How do you feel about Zharovsky’s situation in Salavat so far this year? Do you think being on a weaker KHL team is better for his development?