Canadiens Prospect Alexander Zharovsky's KHL Debut Both Excites and Raises Concerns
Alexander Zharovsky played his first preseason game in the KHL yesterday, a match in which he recorded an assist but also reinforced the concerns some fans have about him..
Selected 34th overall, he stands 6'1".. but weighs just 163 pounds.
It's because of his raw talent that the Canadiens decided to draft him. According to some scouts, he's a magician with the puck: elite stickhandling, superior vision, precise passing, and creativity that unsettles defenders.
Last year, he dominated the MHL with 50 points in 45 games before making the jump to the KHL for the playoffs. His skating lacks power, but he's improving. He's considered a prospect with top-6 NHL potential.
A First Game at Center for Zharovsky Who Lacked Finishing
If Canadiens fans expected to see the young man patrolling the right wing of his line, it was actually at center that Zharovsky played yesterday.. and he generally did a solid job.
He also picked up a (primary) assist on a nice play in a 3-2 shootout loss. Here's the pass in question:
Let's remember that the main concern among fans after Alexander Zharovsky's draft was his lack of finishing when it comes to "putting it in the net," and let's just say the young man did nothing to ease those concerns yesterday, completely botching his attempt in the shootout.
Canadiens prospect Alexander Zharovsky is rising fast - and his KHL coach Viktor Kozlov says it's all earned: "No favors from me."
It will be interesting to see in the coming days whether Zharovsky manages to earn a regular spot in the KHL or if he'll be shuttling between Russia's top league and the minors.. and whether he continues to play center. If that's the case, Kent Hughes and the Canadiens likely won't complain.
TRENDING NOW
