After spending last season watching highlights of Ivan Demidov play with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens]’ fans will likely do the same for the next two seasons as the team’s first pick, Alexander Zharovsky, who plays for Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Marco D’Amico from RG.org spoke exclusively to his coach [https://rg.org/news/hockey/no-favors-from-me-viktor-kozlov-discusses-zharovsky-rise-nhl-potential-canadiens], Viktor Kozlov, about the youngster, and he had some interesting things to say. He explained why the youngster got an opportunity to try his hand in the KHL playoffs last season because one of the team’s two under-21-year-olds was injured. What is important to note here is that in the KHL, teams have two designated roster spots in addition to their 18 skaters and three goaltenders for junior players from the MHL. This league includes players aged 17 to 20 (see Section 41 of the KHL Regulations [https://www.khl.ru/documents/KHL_sports_regulations_2023_eng.pdf]). Wheeler’s Top 100 Drafted Prospect List Features Three Canadiens Players [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/wheeler-s-top-100-drafted-prospect-list-features-three-canadiens-players] Report: Ex-Leafs Kadri Would Be Willing To Join Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/report-ex-leafs-star-would-be-willing-to-join-canadiens] Could Ivan Demidov Be The Canadiens’ Second Line Center? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/could-ivan-demidov-be-the-canadiens-second-line-center] According to Kozlov, the plan wasn’t to use Zharovsky much, but he impressed his coach with his poise and maturity on the ice, which earned him extra ice time. The youngster didn’t panic with the puck; he wasn’t in a hurry to get rid of it. Instead, he made good reads, passing it to a teammate, taking a shot, or making a good play for himself. The coach’s words will be music to Habs fans’ ears, the former NHLer who suited up for 897 games with the San Jose Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks], Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers], New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils], and Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals], says Zharkovsky clearly has something special, and he is pleasantly surprised by him. He also added: > “It’s obvious that, playing like that, he can create scoring chances. That’s > why I gave him ice time. He earned every minute he got—no favors from me.” - Kozlov on Zharovsky As for what the plan is going forward, the coach explains that there hasn’t been any contact with the Canadiens yet, but that he’s open to discussing how they would like to see Zharovsky develop. He even jokingly added that if Martin St-Louis isn’t busy and he has nothing better to do in August, he’d be more than welcome to attend the team’s training camp. The Canadiens’ first pick isn’t guaranteed a roster spot with Ufa, but there is one up for grabs, and judging by Kozlov’s interview, he’s on track to win it, but there are no guarantees. Like any coach would, he values the team’s success and wants the youngster to prioritize the team's needs over his own personal stats and spectacular plays, but so far, so good in that department. The coach added that he’ll have to avoid the temptation of becoming overconfident due to his early success; he doesn’t want to develop a sense of entitlement. His player must earn their ice time every day. It’s reassuring to read that Zharovsky will be given his opportunities and that there will be room for him to make mistakes, growing pains are common with young players, and that doesn’t seem to bother Kozlov. The coach wants what’s best for the team, but he’s willing to do what’s best for the 18-year-old’s development. While he says the goal isn’t to rush him to the NHL, he wants to prepare him for it. Given that Kozlov himself left for the NHL at just 19 years old, he knows what it’s like for a young player to crave playing in the NHL, and that should make him an excellent asset for the youngster’s development. With Zharovsky’s contract running until the end of May 2027, he will have ample time to put muscle on his 6-foot-1 and 163-pound frame. In other words, he’s not as close to the NHL as Ivan Demidov was when he was drafted, but he should be worth the wait. Photo credit: MHL Website -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! 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