Report: Two NHL teams, including Leafs, named as frontrunners for KHL star Barabanov

Another undersized forward... just what the Leafs need.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 3 years ago
Report: Two NHL teams, including Leafs, named as frontrunners for KHL star Barabanov
Zuma Press

According to a report from NHL insider Darren Dreger, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Arizona Coyotes have emerged as frontrunners in contract negotiations with 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.

Interestingly enough, Dreger reports that both the Leafs and Coyotes have been trying to sign Barabanov for the past two years.