Former Bruins rivals player Alexander Barabanov leaves the NHL

Barabanov failed to secure a contract with any NHL team this off-season and has opted to go back to Europe, where he signed a contract for the next two-years.

It was announced that Barabanov signed a two-year deal with the AK Bars Kazan of the KHL after failing to get a contract with any team in the NHL.

This comes after Barabanov having a down year with the San Jose Sharks, where he only put up 13 points in 46 games this year.

He showed promise just last year where he would put up 47 points in 68 games, but with the decline in production, no NHL team wanted to take the risk in bringing him into their team.

Barabanov is familiar with the KHL as he has already played seven seasons there before signing in the NHL, and will look to make a comeback to the NHL. The earliest we could see him return to the NHL would be 2026-27.

As seen on Mapleleafsdaily -
Ex-Maple Leafs winger unable to secure a new NHL deal, headed overseas