The Montreal Canadiens have officially turned the page on their rebuild. After an impressive run to the Eastern Conference Final, general manager Kent Hughes is now focused on building a roster capable of contending for the Stanley Cup.
That shift has naturally fueled trade speculation, with one of the organization’s top prospects becoming a frequent name in rumors.
Dan Milstein Addresses Canadiens Trade Rumors Around Top Prospect
Alexander Zharovsky finds his name in the rumor mill this week as Montreal looks to go big-game hunting. The Canadiens selected him 34th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, and alongside Michael Hage, Zharovsky remains one of Montreal’s most prized prospects.
The speculation began after reports claimed Montreal and the Toronto Maple Leafs discussed a blockbuster trade before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
According to those reports, Montreal would have sent Zharovsky, two first-round picks and another prospect to Toronto in exchange for power forward Matthew Knies. The trade never materialized, but it sparked questions about whether the Canadiens were willing to part with one of their top prospects.
When asked if Montreal was really looking to trade Zharovsky’s rights before the deadline, his agent, Dan Milstein, offered a measured response. “Gretzky got traded. Teams always asked about Pavel Datsyuk and other players too. That’s normal. It’s business. Any team can ask, but that doesn’t mean a player is getting moved,” Milstein said.
“As of today, Sasha’s rights belong to Montreal. They value him very highly, and so does the rest of the league. Naturally, in any trade, a team looking to improve will ask about young players, but that doesn’t mean they’re giving them up,” he added.
While Milstein acknowledged that teams have inquired about Zharovsky, he emphasized that the Canadiens continue to value the 19-year-old highly.
It’s easy to understand why the young forward has become such a valuable asset.
Zharovsky is coming off a standout season with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL, recording 42 points in 59 games. His performance earned him the 2026 KHL Rookie of the Year award while setting a new league record for the most points by an under-19 player, surpassing the previous mark of 36 set by Eeli Tolvanen.
The 19-year-old also shares a close relationship with Canadiens star Ivan Demidov. The childhood friends have been training together this summer in Brossard, Quebec, after Demidov signed his eight-year, $73 million contract extension with Montreal.
Despite the growing trade chatter, the Canadiens are taking a patient approach with Zharovsky’s development. He is expected to remain in the KHL for the 2026-27 season rather than making an immediate move to North America.
Whether Hughes eventually includes him in a blockbuster trade or keeps him as part of Montreal’s long-term core, Zharovsky has quickly become one of the organization’s most valuable assets, and one that rival teams will continue to ask about.
