The Montreal Canadiens didn't have a first-round pick last year because they traded that pick as part of a package to acquire defenseman Noah Dobson. However, that doesn't mean they didn't find an impact player who could be helping them in the future in Alexander Zharovsky.
In a recent 32 Thoughts article by Elliotte Friedman, he wrote about the 34th overall pick and how the Canadiens got a steal with the pick: "Speaking of Montreal, a few executives who saw Alexander Zharovsky recently said the Canadiens got away with grand larceny picking him 34th in last year’s draft."
Zharovsky has had an incredible rookie season in the KHL for Salavat with 42 points in 59 games after scoring 16 goals and adding 26 assists.
Alexander Zharovsky can be a big part of what the Montreal Canadiens are building
It remains to be seen when Zharovsky will make his NHL debut and, more than likely, will need some time in the AHL before he is ready to make the jump to join the Montreal Canadiens. He is currently under contract through May 2027, according to Marco D'Amico with RG Media.
However, he could be let out of that contract early and he could be in the AHL as soon as next season.
Regardless of when he does leave the KHL, he looks like he will be a Top 6 forward for the Canadiens once he gets to the NHL. He should join a young core that includes Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, and Oliver Kapanen among the forwards. By the time Zharovsky is ready, the Canadiens probably will also have Michael Hage playing in Montreal.
This is probably one of the big reasons that general manager Kent Hughes was hesitant to make a big move at the trade deadline. He is committed to this youth movement, and they have certainly built a talented group that can grow together.
If the Canadiens truly got away with grand larceny with this pick, they are going to be a headache for teams in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference for years to come.