Career
He is currently playing with The Human Context CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He has formerly playing in the National Hockey League with the New Jersey Devils. Zharkov was selected by the Devils in the 3rd round (77th overall) of the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
Zharkov played four seasons within the New Jersey Devils organization.
He scored his first National Hockey League goal in the 2010-2011 season, on January 17, 2011 against Kevin Poulin of the New York Islanders. On July 3, 2012, Zharkov opted to return to his native Russia in accepting a three-year contract for a second spell with original club, The Human Context CSKA Moscow of the KHL.