Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign Alexander Barabanov to 1 year ELC

[IPS]

He signed with Toronto because Keefe talked him into it.

 

[Myopic]

I have no problem taking a shot at these free agents from Europe. What do they have to lose?

Let's not kid ourselves, this little guy looks like a 4th liner who can fill in for short periods on the 3rd line.

Dubas continues to bring in little people. (5'10"). I personally would prefer bigger players on the 4th line. Don't for a second think this guy can fill in for Johnsson, skill wise..

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Hyman Matty Willy
Mik JT Marner
Barabanov XXX/Kerfoot Kappy
Clifford Engval XXX
Spezza

Rielly XXX
Muzzy Dermy
Sandin Holl
Marty

Maybe not right away but by XMAS 2021

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I think it has to be this summer, we'll need the cap space to make moves on the defense.

I'd wonder about the Canes and Preds, both have 5 picks in the top 90 and neither are true rebuilders. Target one of them and an NHL ready ish waiver exempt B/C prospect.

A hockey trade with Preds where we get Sissons plus a 2nd rounder 2020 for AJ plus Bracco may be da ticket that works for both teams ... then use Kerfoot to get a defensive defender to bolster our blueline

 

[SeaOfBlue]

He's a UFA by the end of this year so I have a feeling he could just walk away from us after this, which is fine.

 

[4thline]

A hockey trade with Preds where we get Sissons plus a 2nd rounder 2020 for AJ plus Bracco may be da ticket that works for both teams ... then use Kerfoot to get a defensive defender to bolster our blueline

Can't see them doing Scissons, but Yakov Trenin would be a good consolation prize.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Can't see them doing Scissons, but Yakov Trenin would be a good consolation prize.

Yeah probably right there but we need a big strong fast right handed centre who can PK for us on a decent deal and Sissons does all those things ... maybe we need to sweeten da pie but Preds have a lack of scoring and AJ and Bracco could really help them out ...

 

[Fogelhund]

I have no problem taking a shot at these free agents from Europe. What do they have to lose?

Let's not kid ourselves, this little guy looks like a 4th liner who can fill in for short periods on the 3rd line.

Dubas continues to bring in little people. (5'10"). I personally would prefer bigger players on the 4th line. Don't for a second think this guy can fill in for Johnsson, skill wise..

Why do people only see height? 5'10" and 196 lbs isn't a little person...

 

[JSn0w93]

Why do people only see height? 5'10" and 196 lbs isn't a little person...

Exactly, and by all accounts Barabanov competes hard, and is a high motor player.

 

[LeafChief]

I think it has to be this summer, we'll need the cap space to make moves on the defense.

I'd wonder about the Canes and Preds, both have 5 picks in the top 90 and neither are true rebuilders. Target one of them and an NHL ready ish waiver exempt B/C prospect.

Look at what Eller/Shaw got. That's what type of value Johnsson should bring back.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I have no problem taking a shot at these free agents from Europe. What do they have to lose?

Let's not kid ourselves, this little guy looks like a 4th liner who can fill in for short periods on the 3rd line.

Dubas continues to bring in little people. (5'10"). I personally would prefer bigger players on the 4th line. Don't for a second think this guy can fill in for Johnsson, skill wise..

Think about it for a second if you were Barabanov - would you move to NA to play on Marlies or on Leafs 4th line?????????????? This is a guy who played on Team Russia on its 2nd line in da Olympics. I got a pretty good feeling he has better skills today then AJ.

 

[The Nic]

Strange that someone that is apparently thought so little of, is constantly being used as a source of information.

Not by me.

 

[The Iceman]

I am hoping a smart swiss army knife player like Leo Komorav was for us. Kill some penalties and chip in occasionally.

 

[al secord]

Nice! So happy to see regular NHL news.

this.

 

[The Nic]

With all the Insiders around these days there must be a reason this fraud is allowed to keep his job.
Perhaps they keep him on as their 'eye candy' ?

He appeals to morons...

 

[al secord]

With all the Insiders around these days there must be a reason this fraud is allowed to keep his job.
Perhaps they keep him on as their 'eye candy' ?

No, that's Pierre Lebrun.

 

[hullsy47]

Why do people only see height? 5'10" and 196 lbs isn't a little person...

U always want a stumpy Thomas

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Engvall-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Korshkov-Gauthier-Barabanov
Spezza

Lots of options with that forward group.

Johnsson and hopefully Bracco traded. Malgin heads back to Switzerland (at least temporarily) unless he would be willing to sign a nice deal with us and be Petan 2.0 (to replace Bracco)?

 

[Leaffan1991]

Can we take a run at Grigorenko too?
Then we can trade AJ and Kerfoot

Hyman Matthews Marner
Mikheyev Tavares Nylander
Barabanov Grigorenko Kapanen
Clifford Spezza Engvall

Rielly ?
Muzzin Holl
Sandin Dermott

 

[ChazzMichaelMichaels]

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Engvall-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Korshkov-Gauthier-Barabanov
Spezza

Lots of options with that forward group.

Johnsson and hopefully Bracco traded. Malgin heads back to Switzerland (at least temporarily) unless he would be willing to sign a nice deal with us and be Petan 2.0 (to replace Bracco)?

Yup, and if Robertson can make the team and somewhat contribute along with Barabanov up front that'd be Robertson, Barabanov, Sandin and Liljegren on the roster with ELCs. Cheap talent to fill out the roster is key to this squad. It'd also open up a lot of trade possibilities to plug other holes.

 

[ACC1224]

He appeals to morons...

Large audience

 

[Patmac40]

A lot like Timashov but further in his development. Ton of skill, lots of work ethic, can't complain.

 

[ottomaddox]

Because every deal must include toughness and penalty killing, or it's being completely ignored right?

When you think about what makes a winning team, what this team lacks, when you think about success being extremely fleeting for Kyle Dubas then yes you don't ignore what you are lacking. This team has plenty of what Barabanov is offering if you really want to look at things plainly.

 

[kb]

I applaud the effort but there is nothing to like or dislike yet, IMO.
Have to see how he plays, it may work out or may not.

Yup. If he pans out, maybe someone is dealt to free up cap for the back end.

 

[ottomaddox]

With a top-heavy lineup from a salary cap perspective, Dubas will have to continually be creative and resourceful in terms of adding depth at all positions. Some of these moves will work out (Mikheyev) and some won't (Malgin?), but finding the right mix of cheap forward depth will be vital to the team competing over the next few years.

On a base level I get this signing. On a "Hey. We need a ******* warrior to play for the Leafs!" We seem to be just getting more of what we have. I really worry because I don't think Kyle sees it. I think Shanahan sees it, but he's made his bed unfortunately.

Who are our warriors?! Clifford? He might be done in TOR. Muzzin? Great. He's just one guy. Barabanov? Probably not. I hope to God he proves me wrong.