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Everything points to Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens having pulled off another incredible move.
The selection of young Alexander Zharovsky is quickly becoming a home run by the Habs’ management.
Yes, the Canadiens may have just picked another card that scares the rest of the league.
On Martin Lemay’s show, Bob Hartley dropped a statement that really hit hard.
He described Alexander Zharovsky as a clone of Ivan Demidov, plain and simple.
When a guy like Bob Hartley talks that way, it automatically ignites excitement in Montreal.
He’s a clone of Ivan Demidov. It’s as simple as that. There’s an acceleration, and then obviously he’s gained confidence. He’s still the leading scorer on that team, now up to 13 goals.
I was looking at how many shots he gets per game – every game, there are two or three shots. He’s averaging about 15 minutes.
The kid is only 18. That said, he’s very, very strong in terms of his shot and his vision. He has no fear and he goes to the net. He goes into the dangerous areas.”
– Bob Hartley on Zharovsky
Alexander Zharovsky: a successful acquisition by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens
Yes, I think we can already say that!
Zharovsky is a draft acquisition that is starting to gain value in discussions.
The Habs selected him 34th overall in 2025, in the second round, after moving up to get him.
He is 18 years old, stands 6 feet 1, and weighs 163 pounds.
The comparison with Demidov comes up because the Canadiens have already seen this movie before.
Demidov, drafted 5th overall in 2024, arrived with an impressive production résumé.
In the KHL in 2024-2025, he recorded 49 points in 65 games, with 19 goals and 30 assists, along with 22 penalty minutes.
He was 19 years old that season.
Zharovsky also has a number that speaks for itself.
In 2024-2025 in the MHL, he collected 50 points in 45 games, thanks to 24 goals and 26 assists, with 30 penalty minutes.
When a prospect reaches that kind of level at such a young age, it naturally catches the Habs’ eye and helps explain why Kent Hughes wanted to move up, especially now that we’re seeing his exceptional production in the KHL. This season, he has recorded an impressive 35 points in 40 games.
There’s even a detail that fits the narrative. Demidov and Zharovsky share the same official height, 6 feet 1, even though their weight is different.
Demidov is listed at 192 pounds, which highlights just how much room Zharovsky still has to grow.
The most exciting part of all this is the continuity.
The Canadiens didn’t just draft a name – they drafted a terrific project.
If Hartley sees a Demidov clone, Montreal mainly sees another chance to hit a home run.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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‘He’s a clone of Ivan Demidov’: Hughes might have hit another potential home run for the Canadiens
If you had to keep one only between Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky, who would you keep?