Breaking: Canadiens Lock Eyes on Electrifying Russian Star Ahead of Franchise-Shaping Draft
Montreal’s front office sends clear signals: Alexander Zharovskyi isn’t just a target — he’s the statement pick to ignite the rebuild.
With the NHL Draft days away, the Montreal Canadiens are making waves — and their latest target might just be the boldest swing yet.
According to team sources and international scouting reports, Alexander Zharovskyi, a highly skilled Russian winger with elite offensive instincts and lightning-fast acceleration, has risen sharply on the Canadiens’ radar. The 18-year-old left-shot forward, standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 163 pounds, has drawn comparisons to top-tier European talents thanks to his vision, puck control, and fearless style of play.
> “This is the guy,” one Habs scout reportedly told a European hockey insider earlier this week. “We see a ceiling few others in this class have.”
The Canadiens, still navigating a rebuild under GM Kent Hughes, are reportedly focused on drafting players who can inject immediate energy and long-term upside into the top six. Zharovskyi checks every box:
His recent performance in Russia’s MHL playoffs turned heads. Not only did he lead his team in scoring, but he also showed a willingness to drive play through contact — a trait Montreal scouts value highly.
This interest signals a subtle shift in the Canadiens’ draft philosophy: away from safe, physical picks and toward high-upside skill players who can change games — and ticket sales.
Head coach Martin St. Louis, known for developing young, dynamic forwards, is reportedly enthusiastic about the possibility of working with a player like Zharovskyi.
> “A guy like that can break a game open,” St. Louis told media last week, when asked about the kind of player he’d love to mold. “If you can skate and think fast, you’ll thrive in our system.”
Montreal is believed to be weighing their options carefully. If Zharovskyi is still available when they pick, multiple sources suggest they won’t hesitate to call his name.
But there’s risk: other teams, including Arizona and Buffalo, are rumored to be high on the Russian winger. Montreal may need to trade up — or make a bold call — to secure him.
One thing is clear: if the Canadiens land Alexander Zharovskyi, it won’t just be another draft pick. It could be the moment fans look back on as the day the rebuild took flight.
Stay tuned for live draft coverage, prospect breakdowns, and exclusive interviews right here.