Alexander Barabanov Bio: Contracts & Girlfriend

Alexander Barabanov is one of the best ice-hockey players who is associated with the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks (NHL).

He is known for his speed, which has helped the Petersburg team win and held high positions in the 2019/2020 season.

During the 2013–14 KHL season, Barabanov made his Kontinental Hockey League debut with powerhouse SKA Saint Petersburg.

Barabanov chose to pursue a career in the NHL after seven seasons in the KHL with Saint Petersburg, signing a one-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 7, 2020.

Let’s explore more about the athlete through the article here. But before getting into details, let’s sneak peek at quick facts about him. 

 Quick Facts

Alexander Barabanov: Professional Career 

During the pandemic-affected 2020–21 season, Barabanov remained on the Maple Leafs’ opening night roster and made his NHL debut on January 13, 2021, in a 5–4 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Due to the Maple Leafs’ depth at forward, Barabanov appeared sporadically in 13 regular-season games, collecting a primary assist, 1 point, on a T. J. Brodie goal in a 3–2 victory over the Canadiens on April 7, 2021.

In two games with the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, Barabanov demonstrated his offensive prowess, scoring five points.

Barabanov was traded from Toronto to the San Jose Sharks at the trade deadline on April 12, 2021, in exchange for Antti Suomela.

He made his Sharks debut on April 26, 2021, in a 6–4 win over the Arizona Coyotes, scoring his first NHL goal. He signed a one-year extension on May 12, 2021.

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International Play 

Barabanov represented Russia in the 2014 Malmo World Junior Championships and the 2017 Germany/ France, and 2019 Slovakia World Championships. Not only he partook, but he also won a bronze medal for the team.

At the 2018 Winter Olympics, he was a member of the Olympic Athletes from Russia team.

Barabanov played for SKA St. Petersburg for parts of seven seasons, winning two Gagarin Cup championships and an Olympic gold medal in 2018.

“He’s a critical piece of the puzzle for us,” Leaf’s coach Sheldon Keefe said on a conference call.

“We’re very excited to welcome another player to the fold here who we believe has great experience and a great skill set...”

“He also has a strong personality. He just checks a lot of the boxes that you’re always seeking for when you’re adding a player who you fully expect to step in and contribute to your team.”

Alexander Barabanov: Family

Alexander Barabanov was born on June 17, 1994, in a humble and hostile family. 

There is no further information about his parents; we will update this section once the information becomes available from a reliable source. 

Alexander Barabanov: Girlfriend 

Fans are curious to learn about Alexander Barabanov’s girlfriend. The player is quite private when it comes to his personal life. However, he is not shy away to posts pictures with his girlfriend. 

The athlete has shared a wholesome picture with his girlfriend. Alex has not shared any details about her other than that. 

So for meanwhile, the name of his girlfriend remains unknown. However, looking at the pictures, we can assure you that the two lovebirds are madly in love with each other. 

Moreover, his girlfriend holds the beauty of a model. So based on her pictures, she might be a model. There is no information about their first meet-up. 

The duo has not married yet. It could be because they are both currently more focused on their professional careers.

Keeping the relationship talks side, the elite ice hockey player is also a pet lover.

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Alexander Barabanov: Contracts  

According to his agent, Dan Milstein, the forward signed a one-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks in May 2021. 

Last April, the Maple Leafs signed Barabanov to a one-year entry-level contract worth $925,000. His contract is worth $1 million through the 2021-22 season, with a base salary of $900,000 and a signing bonus of $100,000.

Doug Wilson announced the signings of Alexander Barabanov to a one-year contract extension and prospects Santeri Hatakka, and Adam Raska to entry-level contracts.

Before the NHL trade deadline, the Sharks acquired Barabanov from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Antti Suomela.

The 29 year-old forward appears to have found his footing in San Jose, making an average of nearly a point per game (three goals, four assists) in eight games.

Though his 27.3 shooting percentage in fewer than ten games is only a tiny sample of what the Alexander Barabanov experience is and can be like(he had just one assist in 13 games with Toronto), he’s been one of the more encouraging aspects of the season’s end.

Alexander Barabanov: Net Worth 

Alexander Barabnov’s net worth is estimated to be around $1-$5 million. 

The pay for hockey players can vary greatly. Some NHL hockey players earn up to $15 million or more per year, though most make much less.

A mid-career NHL pro hockey player earns around $2.5 million per year. The average player earns nearly $65,000 per year outside of the NHL.

Olympic hockey players make around $100,000 per year, depending on their country.

Barabanov’s entry-level contract with Leafs was worth $925,000, which helped a Leafs team that spends more than $40 million on its top four players.

In the worst-case scenario, he ended up in the AHL because of cheap insurance. The Leafs expended a significant amount of time and effort to pursue the winger.

Alexander Barabanov: Skills 

Alexander Barabanov is a fast, strong skater who fits the Leafs’ current strategy under general manager Kyle Dubas.

The Russian has been a member of the Kontinental Hockey League since he was 18 years old, and he skated on a line with Alex Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk at the World Championships. 

Barabanov is also regarded as a tenacious worker, adept at fetching the puck and saving it in the corners — two of the most critical aspects of the game in modern advanced metrics and areas in which Leafs Auston Matthews and Alex Kerfoot excel.

According to his agent Dan Milstein and other scouts who have witnessed him play, he is also an elite passer.

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According to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now, Barabanov suffered a lower-body injury during  Sunday’s preseason loss to the ducks and was labeled day-to-day by the team in September 2021. 

After being hired by the Leafs in a minor-league player swap, Barabanov appeared in nine games for the Sharks last season.

This season, the 29 year-old winger is expected to split his time between the AHL and the NHL, limiting him to mid-range fantasy value.

Social Media Presence 

Alexander Barabanov is pretty active on various social media platforms. The player is present on Instagram and Twitter. 

However, he has only 12 posts on Instagram as of January 2022. The athlete often posts pictures related to his professional games and with his girlfriend. 

He is on Instagram by the username @alexbarabanov94. As of January 2022, he has accumulated more than 5000 followers there. 

Moreover, the hockey genius is also on Twitter as @AlexsandrBaraba. He joined Twitter in July 2012. 

You can keep a check on him on his social media handles to keep updates on his life.

Frequently Asked Question 

Which NHL team has Alexander Barabanov played for up to this point? 

Alexander Barabanov had played for SKA Saint Petersburg and Toronto Maple Leafs. Currently, he is playing for San Jose Sharks.