Zharovsky and Demidov named rookies of the month: the future is bright (and Russian) in Montreal

Raphael Simard
Zharovsky and Demidov named rookies of the month: the future is bright (and Russian) in Montreal
Credit: Getty Images

Earlier this morning, Alex Zharovsky was named KHL Rookie of the Month.

A few hours later, Ivan Demidov received the same honor, but in the NHL.

Needless to say, the future is bright (and Russian) in Montreal.

Clearly, the Habs aren't afraid to pick players from Russia despite the political situation.

Demidov, who scored 14 points in 15 games in December, was selected fifth overall in the 2024 draft, while Zharovsky slipped a little further.

Some experts had him in the middle of the first round (the Habs had him high on their list, too), but he slipped to 34th overall. After Lane Hutson, the young Russian winger could prove to be a steal in the second round. In 33 KHL games, the 18-year-old has collected 29 points.

Those are really excellent numbers, and I can't wait to see him in Montreal. Although I see Zharovsky with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield in the long term, having him and Demidov on the top two trios certainly won't hurt.

In addition to the two December rookies in their respective leagues, the Habs have several other Russian players in their system: Bogdan Konyushkov (KHL), Dmitri Kostenko (Slovakia), Makar Khanin (VHL), Daniil Sobolev (VHL and KHL) and goaltender Yevgeni Volokhin (VHL and KHL).

They won't all be playing in Montreal, but in the case of Konyushkov and Volokhin, especially, they have very interesting potential.


Overtime

– Good news.

– Jeff Blashill praises his protégé.

– Read more.

– Zachary Bolduc is not unhappy playing alongside Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson.

– Too bad for the Saints and potentially the Bucs.

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