Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #23 Zakhar Bardakov
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Will this Russian forward play for the Avalanche soon? The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Mile High Hockey staff. Five writers have ranked players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2024, in the Colorado Avalanche organization. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.
Included as a throw-in to the trade of the decade, which sent lovable intimidator Kurtis MacDermid to New Jersey, was this former seventh round 2021 pick in addition to the 2024 fourth round selection the Colorado Avalanche also received in return. There wasn’t much attention paid to Zakhar Bardakov joining the organization at the time but he’s a name that should become more familiar in the near future.
Bardakov was in his second full year playing for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL at the time of the trade and an established bottom six player for the squad. The six-foot-two forward had a better year statistically in 2022-23 putting up 18 points in 42 games, in which he followed-up with 12 points in 51 games last season. He is expected to play for SKA once again for the upcoming season on a one-year contract.
The reason for ranking Bardakov as high as 20th is because I fully believe he was not just a throw-in to the trade which brought him to the organization but that the Avalanche intend to sign him, as soon as next year. Now where that goes from there is up in the air and someone as established in a top KHL team as he is certainly won’t come over to sit around in the AHL. But all indicators are the 23-year old center is going to give it a shot and his contract in Russia expires at the end of the 2024-25 season.
The type of game Bardakov plays does seem to be of interest to Colorado. He doesn’t produce much but is a strong forechecker, good on faceoffs and can play physical at the net front. There is a touch of skill present and Bardakov can score a few goals. If he fits in with the North American game we could be looking at the new Avalanche fourth line center.
2024 Top 25 Under 25
#24 Taylor Makar
#25 Maros Jedlicka ...
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