Alexander Zharovsky is the latest Montreal Canadiens prospect turning heads. Michael Hage is lighting up the NCAA with 14 points in six games, while Luke Mittelstadt has emerged from nowhere to lead the AHL in scoring. Zharovsky may not be producing over a point per game like some other Canadiens prospects, but given his age, he may be facing the toughest challenge.
Still just 19, Zharovsky is playing against men in the KHL. Last season, he took the league by storm, setting the record for most points by a player under 19 in a single season with 42 in 59 games. This season, he has gotten off to a streaky start, but his most recent game against Metallurg Magnitogorsk showed just how dangerous he can be.
Zharovsky is a human highlight reel
When Zharovsky is on his game, he can affect the game the same way Ivan Demidov can with his playmaking ability. He showcased that in Salavat Yulaev Ufa's 5-4 win against Metallurg. Salavat Yulaev were down 3-1 in the third when Zharovsky received a pass from beneath his own net and took it all the way down the ice. He flicked the puck past a defender as he cut into the offensive zone. He then split the two defencemen and roofed a backhand past the goalie.
Nice and easy, end to end. Quite a run by Alexander Zharovsky 🥱 pic.twitter.com/JrwuyL8UHC
— KHL (@khl_eng) October 21, 2026
His highlight-reel goal kicked off their comeback, and he was not done just yet. Zharovsky picked up an assist on the tying goal when he sent a spin-o-rama to his defenceman, whose point shot got redirected into the back of the net.
Zharovsky picked up his second assist of the game with just over two minutes left. He blocked a pass that fell directly in front of his teammate, who fired home what was thought to be the game-winning goal. Metallurg tied the game with just over a minute left, but Salavat Yulaev would complete the comeback in a shootout.
Zharovsky's performance in Salavat Yulaev’s comeback is exactly why fans should be excited about his potential. He has the ability to change games, and his next step is finding a way to do it more consistently.
Up-and-down start for Zharovsky
After an extremely successful rookie season in the KHL, Zharovsky did not get off to a hot start this season. He has produced in bunches, then gone quiet for stretches. He had three points in the first three games, then zero over the next three. Then in his next five games he had five points, followed by zero in the next five. Thanks to his three-point performance in Salavat Yulaev’s come-from-behind victory, Zharovsky has 13 points in 19 games this season. He has been streaky this season, but his talent is undeniable.
It was always unlikely that he was going to make the switch to North America this offseason, but his inconsistent play shows why another season in the KHL was beneficial. It allows him to work through mistakes and make the improvements he needs to make so that by the time he does come over to the NHL, he can make an immediate impact. It has been a consistent trend with Canadiens prospects. They are not going to push them if they are not ready. Hage went back to college to continue to improve. The Canadiens started David Reinbacher in the AHL so he could gain experience playing big minutes.
The Canadiens are trying to give their prospects the best possible chance of being contributors right away. Zharovsky is being treated the same way. He has the talent to take over games, but he still needs to find a way to bring the same level every night before he is ready to come over to the NHL.
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