Alexander Barabanov

Alexander Dmitriyevich Barabanov (Александр Дмитриевич Барабанов) (born 17 June 1994) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Barabanov made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut playing with powerhouse SKA Saint Petersburg during the 2013–14 KHL season. Barabanov won the Gagarin Cup with Saint Petersburg in 2015 and 2017. He was named a KHL All-Star in the 2018–19 KHL season. On 7 April 2020, Barabanov having played seven seasons in the KHL with Saint Petersburg, opted to pursue a career in the National Hockey League (NHL) by signing a one-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Barabanov remained on the Maple Leafs opening night roster and made his NHL debut in a 5–4 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens on 13 January 2021. Playing in a reduced role, due to the Maple Leafs forward depth, Barabanov appeared sporadically in 13 regular season games collecting one point, a primary assist on a T. J. Brodie goal in a 3–2 victory also over the Canadiens, on 7 April 2021. In an assignment to the Maple Leafs American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, Barabanov showed his offensive acumen in collecting five points through two games.

On 12 April 2021, Barabanov was traded from Toronto at the trade deadline to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Antti Suomela. He made his debut with the Sharks on 26 April 2021, in a 6–4 win over the Arizona Coyotes, in which he scored his first NHL goal. On 12 May 2021, he signed a one-year extension. During the 2021–22 season, Barabanov played in 70 games, scoring ten goals and 29 points. In the 2022 offseason, he re-signed with San Jose to a two-year, $5 million contract extension. During the 2022–23 season, Barabanov improved, scoring 15 goals and 47 points in 68 games before being missing the remainder of the season due to injury. Barabanov struggled with injuries in the 2023–24 season, appearing in only 46 games, scoring four goals and 13 points.

International play
Barabanov played for Russia at the 2014 World Junior Championships earning a bronze medal. He played for the senior Russian national team at the IIHF World Championships in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, winning bronze 2017 and 2019. He was a member of the Olympic Athletes from Russia team at the 2018 Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal.