Grant McCagg: The VHL Is a Better Fit for Alexander Zharovsky This Year Than the KHL

Pablo Herrera-Vergara
Grant McCagg: The VHL Is a Better Fit for Alexander Zharovsky This Year Than the KHL
Credit: Capture d'écran Twitter

Alexander Zharovsky has been in the news several times since the start of the summer. He stopped by Montreal, where he was welcomed by his fellow countryman. He trained in various settings before returning to Russia as the start of his season approached.

However, things aren't going very well for him in the preseason games. His production is in free fall, and Grant McCagg addressed the situation on his HabsCast podcast.

According to him, it wouldn't be a bad thing if Zharovsky were to play in the VHL, the Russian equivalent of the AHL.

He begins by discussing Zharovsky's decline in production, particularly in terms of assists. After averaging 0.6 assists per game in his first 48 games, that number has since dropped to 0.1.

McCagg observes a decline in his play, both statistically and visually—that is, by watching his games.

The former scout compares his situation to that of Jesperi Kotkaniemi, whom the Canadiens chose not to send to the AHL during his second season. We know how his story with the Habs unfolded.

Finally, McCagg also mentions Matvei Michkov and Pavel Dorofeyev, two players who played in the VHL before finding success in the NHL.

The reality is that his situation is different. Zharovsky has just won the KHL Rookie of the Year award, excelling brilliantly despite his young age.

It's clear that teams are adjusting to him and that he'll have to find solutions. That said, I wonder if sending him to the VHL would actually help him in the long run. It wouldn't be a disaster either, but it's a question worth asking.


In Brief

– His situation continues to be the talk of the town.

– Very nice.

– Great win.

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