Barabanov will fit in with Leafs. Here’s how

Russian free agent brings speed, tenacity at an affordable price

Russian free-agent Alexander Barabanov, pursued by more than 20 NHL teams, signed with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday for one year at $925,000 (U.S.).

It’s a low-risk deal, and there’s hope that the 25-year-old forward will deliver the same impact as Ilya Mikheyev, another KHL product who signed a oneyear contract last May.

Here’s a closer look at Barabanov and why he fits with the Leafs:

THE SKILLS

Barabanov is a fast, strong skater — made for the Leafs’ current blueprint under general manager Kyle Dubas. The Russian has played in the Kontinental Hockey League since he was 18, and has skated on a line with Alex Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk at the world championship.

Barabanov is also hailed as a tenacious worker, strong at retrieving the puck and protecting it in the corners — two of the most important areas of the game in modern advanced metrics, where Leafs Auston Matthews and Alex Kerfoot also excel.

He is also an elite passer, according to his agent Dan Milstein and several scouts who have seen him live.

THE COMPARISON

One scout suggested the Leafs may be getting another Mikheyev, the third-line winger who exceeded expectations in 39 games with his size (six-footthree), speed, reach and stick skills before season-ending surgery to repair a slashed wrist in late December. Mikheyev is also 25.

THE RESUMÉ

Barabanov has spent parts of seven seasons with SKA St. Petersburg and won two Gagarin Cup championships, plus an Olympic gold medal in 2018. “He’s an important piece of the puzzle for us,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Tuesday on a conference call.

“We’re really excited to add another player to the fold here that we think’s got great experience and a great skill set … he has a very high character as well. He just checks a lot of the boxes that you’re always looking for when you’re adding a player that you fully expect to step in and be an important part of your team.”

THE PRICETAG

At $925,000, Barabanov’s entry-level deal for next season helps a Leafs team with over $40 million a year committed to its top four players. At the very worst, he winds up in the AHL as low-cost insurance. The Leafs invested a lot of time and effort in pursuit of the winger. Dubas visited Russia twice to see him play. Former coach Mike Babcock went once, while Keefe has had video chats with him. They relied the most, however, on the advance work of Jim Paliafito, senior director of player evaluation. “Jim was over there (Russia) 15 or 20 times, and he built a great relationship with Alex,” Milstein said.

THE RACE

After interest from about 20 teams, Milstein said the Leafs and Arizona Coyotes were dead even in terms of recruitment. Despite the prolonged courtship, the agent said Barabanov chose Toronto because “it was love at first sight.”