Ex-Maple Leafs winger unable to secure a new NHL deal, headed overseas

Barabanov has reportedly signed a two-year contract with AK Bars Kazan of the KHL.

Barabanov played four years in the NHL, beginning with a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020-2021, where he appeared in 13 games. He was then traded to the San Jose Sharks, as then Leafs GM Kyle Dubas made good on a promise to find Barabanov an opportunity with an NHL team that would allow him actual playing time. Barabanov remained with the Sharks for the rest of his NHL tenure, playing in 193 NHL games between 2020-21 and 2023-24.

Barabanov had a disappointing season with the Sharks in 2023-24, recording only 13 points in 46 games. This marked a sharp decline from his impressive career year just one season prior, when he notched 47 points in 68 games in 2022-23.

Barabanov will now return to the KHL, where he has already played for seven seasons before his time in the NHL, hoping to rejuvenate his hockey career. With his deal being a 2-year pact, we likely won't see him back in the NHL before 2026-27, if at all.

Source: HockeyDB
Alexander Barabanov Statistics