What Kind Of Player Is Zakhar Bardakov? (+)

Add another to the list of Colorado Avalanche prospects currently playing in the KHL playoffs.

On Friday, the Avalanche dealt Kurtis MacDermid to the New Jersey Devils. In return, they acquired a seventh round pick and 23 year old Zakhar Bardakov. The Russian center, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft, currently plays for SKA in the KHL. Bardakov and his SKA squad just so happen to be playing Avalanche prospect Nikolai Kovalenko and his Torpedo squad in the KHL playoffs.

In game one, the two went head-to-head quite often, with Kovalenko winning the face-off battle. Bardakov led SKA with seven shots on goal, and even got into a bit of a scuffle with Torpedo’s goaltender. He doesn’t play an insignificant role on the powerhouse KHL team, as he averaged 15:01 a game and was a regular on their penalty kill.

Is it possible this is his last season in the KHL, though? His contract currently runs out at the end of April, and he hasn’t signed an extension yet. Colorado Hockey Now has reached out to his representation to see if a move to North America is possible, but had not heard back at the time of publishing.

When game two takes place on Sunday, I’ll be sure to focus more on Bardakov, but in the meantime, I asked someone familiar with his game about what type of player he is. Here’s what they had to say.

The 6’2″, 198 pound Bardakov isn’t your typical high-skill Russian. That might explain the sub-par production of just 12 points in 51 games this past year.

“Bardakov was never about the numbers,” the source said. “He is one of the rare cases of a Russian player drafted who just doesn’t have the right type of attacking skill. His thing is the dirty stuff – hits, screens, being a pest and a high-energy guy.”

That would explain the 78 penalty minutes in 51 games, and also why he was trying to fight a goaltender in the opening game of a playoff series.

“He is obviously very strong and likes physical game,” they continued. “Skating is far from being smooth, but he somewhat compensates (for) it with a great motor; good shot, but skill is not there, plays decent defensive game, will always be there for an aggressive forecheck, really good at screens, can play both center and wing.”

One thing they noted was that, despite being a pretty big guy, Bardakov has found himself injured quite often over the years. This season alone he missed games three separate times due to injury, and struggled with similar issues last year.

We’ll see if Bardakov has any interest in crossing the pond and signing with the Avalanche. The source noted that when he was drafted, there was speculation he’d be willing to come to North America, but he was later traded to SKA, who extended him. That was a few years ago, so it’s possible his plans have changed.

Stay tuned to CHN for more updates on Baradkov and all the KHL prospects in the Avalanche system.