Zharovsky Dominating In The KHL Right Now

That’s not to say Zharovsky will be better than Demidov, because he’s not, and there is a 10% chance he becomes better, but there are clear signs that the Canadiens got a first-round talent who is a hard worker at 34th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The main reason why Zharovsky has more points so far than Demidov did at this stage in his rookie season is that Kozlov gives Zharovsky more opportunities with ice time than Demidov had with Roman Rotenberg last year. 

With Salavat, Zharovsky has also gotten an opportunity not only to get ice time, but to develop with some games as a centreman, like he did on Saturday morning. Kozlov pencilled Zharovsky in to play as the team’s 3rd line centre for their game against Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. During which he got to play a total of 17:07 (his 2nd highest total in the KHL), which included a season-high 7:38 on the power play. This is where Zharovsky got his opportunity to score his 4th goal of the season in a 2-1 win for Salavat UFA. Zharovsky and Salavat UFA are now on a 3-game winning streak. 

The 18-year-old Habs prospect scored his goal on the power play a little more than halfway through the first period, when he passed it back to the point to his teammate, who sent it right back to him on the left circle, where Zharovsky ripped it past the Neftekhimik keeper to get Salavat on the board. 

He went 2-for-4 on faceoffs and finished the game with 4 shots on goal. At the end of the game, his teammates even named him player of the game. Zharovsky currently leads his team in points per game, despite being the youngest player to get regular ice time with Salavat. 

Even though he may have a short leash when it comes to taking penalties, it’s clear that Kozlov and the rest of the Salavat coaching staff value his play and need him to win games. Salavat started with a 1-6 record in the first 7 games of the season when Zharovsky was hurt. Since then, they have been going 5-6 in the 11 games he’s played, helping them climb out of last place.

At the end of the day, Zharovsky is continuing to be a great presence for his team and is showing plenty of talent that seems like it could transfer over to the NHL level someday.

Have you been keeping up with Zharovsky’s progress this season?