Alexander Barabanov liked what he heard from the Maple Leafs.
Tuesday morning, the Russian forward signed a one-year entry level contract with Toronto after the battle to sign the 25-year-old winger against several NHL teams came down this week to the Leafs and the Arizona Coyotes.
Barabanov’s agent, Daniel Milstein, said during the interview phase that Barabanov and his wife were considering “the whole package” of which city offered the best option after he played nine years at home in Saint Petersburg, the last few in the KHL.
But Milstein said the player’s main concern was how he fit in with the team style and the coaching philosophy.
In the case of the Leafs, he’ll be with a dynamic offence and if a trade of another forward has to be made for salary cap purposes, the Leafs could have a replacement at the ready.
Barabanov had 11 goals in 43 KHL games in 2019-20, but totalled more than 20 last season. He has played on a Gagarin Cup and Olympic gold medal team. Pursuit of Barabanov, as with countryman and Milstien client Ilya Mikheyev, began two years ago, with former coach Mike Babcock visiting Barabanov in Russia.
General manager Kyle Dubas, present coach Sheldon Keefe and a representative of Leafs ownership also spoke to Barabanov, according to Milstein. Senior director of player evaluation Jim Paliafito saw Barabanov play many times in addition to Toronto’s European scouts.
