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\nAlexander Zharovsky’s KHL coach warns Canadiens prospect ahead of Montreal move
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Montreal Hockey Fanatics has no direct affiliation to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n
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Photo credit: Screenshot<\/p>\n
Viktor Kozlov, who coaches Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL, isn’t mincing words when it comes to his player.<\/p>\n
“I told him not to be satisfied with his current level.<\/p>\n
I don’t think he’s stupid enough to ruin everything.”<\/p>\n
– Viktor Kozlov<\/p>\n
The exact quote is actually much more direct and crude than that, but you get the idea.<\/p>\n
Zharovsky has talent, but he still has a lot of work to do.<\/p>\n
Kozlov doesn’t even know if his player will be ready for the NHL in a year.<\/p>\n
“In Montreal, many are hoping that Alexander Zharovsky is somehow miraculously released by his KHL club.<\/p>\n
His head coach, Viktor Kozlov, believes he needs another year there… at a minimum.”<\/p>\n
– Nicolas Cloutier<\/p>\n
Cloutier’s question even seemed to catch him off guard.<\/p>\n
Alexander Zharovsky’s coach has not spoken with the Montreal Canadiens, unlike what we saw with Ivan Demidov<\/a><\/p>\n The contrast with Ivan Demidov is striking.<\/p>\n Last year, Montreal Canadiens fans became familiar with Demidov’s KHL coach, Roman Rotenberg, who was frequently in contact with the organization.<\/p>\n There was even a visit made there to help facilitate the transition.<\/p>\n With Zharovsky, we’re clearly not at that stage yet.<\/p>\n The young forward has plenty of talent, but he’s not as advanced as Demidov was a year ago.<\/p>\n He had a difficult finish to the season in the KHL and needs to use the 2026-27 season to continue progressing.<\/p>\n