Zakhar Bardakov

March 2024 – Bardakov has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche. Bardakov had just 6 goals and 12 points in 51 games for SKA this season. His mix of size and goalscoring will likely give him a pro career but the NHL level is looking less likely unless he can take his game up a notch, which hasn’t happened yet. – Austin Kelly

March 2022 – Bardakov’s season hasn’t shown much promise, as the prospect’s production dipped (three points in 19 games) and he was sent down to the VHL, Russia’s second division, where he scored two points in two games. He’s already pro-ready in terms of his size, strength and grit, but his hockey sense can be a detriment to his game at times. Hadi Kalakeche

July 2021 – The New Jersey Devils drafted 20-year-old Bardakov with the 205th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. The Russian forward played most of the season in the KHL, earning 8 goals and 11 points in 44 games. He also played at the World Juniors, earning a goal and an assist in seven games for Russia. He is due to report to SKA St. Petersburg in 2021-2022, a club that will allow him to showcase his abilities next to more skilled forwards. His net-front presence makes him a thorn in the side of goaltenders, and his ability to tip pucks puts him at an advantage in those situations. He has decent separation ability, although he could utilize his outside edges a bit more while skating. He also has a mean streak, being awarded the distinction of most penalized player in the MHL in both 2019 and 2020. A good bet to take based on his rookie KHL production. Hadi Kalakeche