Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Important Depth Pieces for Next Season

By Joseph Zita | Apr 10, 2020

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Pierre Engvall #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is congratulated by head coach Sheldon Keefe after scoring a short handed goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the second period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Toronto Maple Leafs eyeing KHLer Alexander Barabanov (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

4. Alexander Barabanov – 25 years old – RW

At my number four spot I have newly signed Toronto Maple Leaf Alexander Barabanov from the KHL. Barabanov and the Toronto Maple Leafs recently agreed on a contract for the 2020-21 season for one year at $925K.

He isn’t going to be brought into Toronto to play top six minutes and power play minutes but he will be a very good fit on the bottom six.

He is 5’10, 192 lbs and will be 26 years old by the start of the new season. People may look at his height and say “he is too small” or “they need someone tough” but that’s not how the NHL works anymore.

As a solid player in the KHL Barabanov should have no problem stepping into an NHL lineup and providing solid value for near the league minimum.

Barabanov’s 2019-20 KHL stats – 43 GP – 11 G – 9 A – 20 PTS

His numbers went down this past season compared to the 2018-19 season and that’s basically the only down side, but looking at his other teammates too their numbers went down as well. (Stats from EliteProspects.com).

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