Leafs sign KHL star Barabanov

This just in, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed KHL star Alexander Barabanov.

Check it out:

The 25 year old Barabanov had 11 goals and 20 points in 43 games with SKA St. Petersburg, which doesn’t sound terribly impressive but he managed 17 goals and 46 points in 58 games just one season ago. More to the point, Barbanov’s style of play seems to be a draw for most NHL teams. Despite being somewhat undersized at just five foot, 10 inches and 191 pounds, Barabaov plays a physical game and scouts believe that he’s well suited to a bottom six forward role in the NHL.

Read below for the official press release announcement of today's signing:

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed forward Alexander Barabanov to a one-year entry level contract for the 2020-21 season.

Barabanov, 25, spent the 2019-20 season with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In 43 games during the 2020-21 season, Barabanov recorded 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) while adding three points (one goal, two assists) in four playoff games. The Saint Petersburg, Russia native appeared in 262 career KHL games, all with SKA, registering 137 points (62 goals, 75 assists). In 68 career playoff games, Barabanov recorded 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) while winning the KHL Garagin Cup in both 2015 and 2017. 

Internationally, Barabanov skated for Russia at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, winning the gold medal in a 4-3 win over Germany. Barabanov has represented Russia three times at the World Championships, recording 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 28 games.