AZ
Alex Zharovsky
Position: RW
Shoots: L
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 176 lbs
DOB: Feb 22, 2007
Age: 19
Team: Salavat Ufa
League: KHL
Season Statistics
12
GP
5
G
7
A
12
P
1
PPG
Scout’s Summary
Alex Zharovsky is off to a special start in the KHL. After spending last season in the MHL and getting a short taste of KHL playoff action, he was drafted 34th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. I don’t think anyone could have expected such a strong start from him.
Through his first 12 games, Zharovsky has put up 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points. In terms of points per game, that’s better than anyone who has ever played in the KHL during their draft plus one season. It’s almost unheard of. Sure, it’s a small sample size, but still, his production so far is ahead of names like Michkov, Demidov, and Kaprizov at the same age.
With Ufa dealing with financial struggles, they’ve had no choice but to rely on their young players and give them real minutes. It’s not like the Demidov situation in St. Petersburg. Zharovsky is actually getting 13 to 15 minutes a night against professionals in one of the best leagues in the world.
He’s far from a finished product. He’s still a bit frail and not the most explosive skater, but he makes up for it with hockey sense, skill, and compete level. Yes, he’s light, but that doesn’t stop him from finishing his checks, driving the net, or battling for pucks along the boards and deep in the zone.
He’s a playmaker first, but he’s not afraid to shoot or get to the net. In fact, all of his goals have come from inside the dots. There’s still some work to do defensively, but considering his age and the fact that he’s being coached by former NHLer Viktor Kozlov, there’s really no reason for concern.
NHL Projection
Player Type
Playmaker
NHL Projection
Top-6 Forward
NHL ETA
2027-28
Grading & Projection
OVERALL GRADE
6.8
75
Offensive
55
Defensive
Detailed Skill Analysis
Skating Analysis
Overall, his speed isn’t bad, even if it’s probably never going to be his main selling point. What holds him back a bit is the lack of explosion in his first few steps. He can create separation from the boards at the KHL level, but that might not be enough to do the same in the NHL.
Shooting Analysis
I wouldn’t say his shot is overpowering or anything out of the ordinary, but his finishing tools and creativity can definitely elevate his scoring. He’s not going to beat goalies from distance unless there’s real progression in his shot, but the combination of his puck handling and willingness to attack the inside should still allow him to score, even at the NHL level.
Handling Analysis
This is his bread and butter. He’s got soft hands in tight spaces and excellent stickhandling ability. He protects the puck well along the boards and plays with a lot of deception and creativity. He’s one of the best puck handlers in the entire 2025 draft. In the KHL, he’s been using his handling with more purpose too. He’s not just showing off his skill, it’s a key part of his game that helps him make plays and bring the puck closer to the net.
Playmaking Analysis
His playmaking looks solid overall. There are nights where he tries to do a little too much, which can lead to turnovers, and I think he’d benefit from adding a bit more power to his passes. Even though he has above-average vision and can pass from almost any position or situation, a lot of his feeds are on the softer side. When you compare the pace and velocity of his passes to what you see at the NHL level, there’s still a noticeable gap.
Hockey IQ Analysis
He makes good reads, finds soft spots, and knows how to manipulate defenses to open up space and passing lanes. I’ll need to watch more to give a definitive grade, since there are nights where he looks like an eight and others where he’s closer to a six, so for now, I’d settle on a seven.
Defense Analysis
That’s probably the weakest part of his game. I wouldn’t say he’s bad defensively or that he lacks the work ethic, but being more proactive would go a long way. Applying better back pressure on the backcheck, using his stick more effectively to take pucks away, or even baiting players into passing lanes would really help his defensive play. Like I said before, I’m not worried. It’ll come with time.
Physicality Analysis
This is the most surprising part of his game. Everyone knew about the skill, but Zharovsky isn’t afraid to throw his body around or jump into puck battles with real intensity. He’s actually winning more than half of his battles in the KHL as an 18-year-old, and in some games, that number climbs into the 60s or even 70s. That’s pretty impressive.
Compete Analysis
I have nothing but good things to say about his compete level. Is he Carter Bear? Obviously not, but like I mentioned before, he’s constantly driving the inside, battling for pucks, finishing hits, and playing with real intensity. He works hard defensively, even if the results vary from game to game. Overall, I really like what I see.
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Report Generated: October 31, 2025
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