NHL draft analysts have been scratching their heads since last summer, wondering how ultra-talented forward prospect Alexander Zharovsky fell to Montreal with the 34th pick. In NHL analyst Elliott Friedman’s recent “32 Thoughts” podcast, he referred to this as being akin to “grand larceny.” When the Habs traded both of its first-round picks to the New York Islanders to land d-man Noah Dobson, everyone assumed they relinquished the chance to land elite talent in the draft. All experts were proven incorrect on that front.
Zharovsky has done nothing but show that he was the first-round talent he was considered to be (NHL Central Scouting rated him as the #5 international skater). He recently completed his KHL rookie season with Salavat, where he registered a remarkable 42 points (16G 26A) in 59 games as a teenager. Although he is under contract with his KHL club until May 2027, there does exist the possibility of an early release from that commitment. Whenever he does arrive in North America, he will join Montreal’s already impressive group of young forwards, including the University of Michigan’s soon-to-be pro Michael Hage (2024 1st round, 21st overall).