Alexander Barabanov is popping himself into one of many Sharks’ Most worthy forwards, as his chemistry with Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier this season has been plain.
Now one wonders if the Sharks can afford to maintain Barabanov round previous July.
Barabanov assisted on Timo Meier’s second-period objective, his seventh level within the final seven video games, and had three pictures on internet in 17:46 of ice time Thursday within the Sharks’ 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Barabanov additionally practically scored on a nifty particular person effort within the second interval and he, Meier and Hertl all had a plus-minus ranking of +2. Even with a Corsi-for proportion of 44.0, they had been simply the Sharks’ high possession line in opposition to the league-leading Avalanche.
It hasn’t been excellent, however that trio has additionally had at the least one level on 11 of the final 19 objectives the Sharks have scored at even energy within the final seven video games. Meier and Hertl every have 9 factors in that point.
“All guys carry one thing to the ice and I believe that’s what helps us achieve success,” Meier mentioned. “However I believe we’ve obtained to do a greater job. I assumed (Wednesday) night time and tonight we might have performed some issues higher.
“We additionally should be dependable defensively and shut strains down. As soon as we get within the o-zone, the ability Barbie has, Tomas has, we’re a really harmful line.”
Barabanov, listed at 5-foot-10 and 195 kilos, completed March with 10 factors in 14 video games – a career-best for him in any calendar month since he got here to San Jose from Toronto on the 2021 commerce deadline final April.
“He’s steadily improved his recreation,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner mentioned of Barabanov. “He’s one in every of our greatest offensive gamers and I believe for a man that’s not that large in stature, he performs a tough recreation. He places his nostril within the laborious areas and he’s not afraid to battle for pucks and do the little issues that have to occur on the market.”
Barabanov, who turns 28 in June, is a pending unrestricted free agent in a position to signal with any staff on July 13.
Barabanov has a wage cap hit of $1 million this season, and can most definitely be due a increase and maybe a multi-year contract with 37 factors in 59 video games to this point.
The Sharks, although, may have to pinch some pennies someplace to make that occur.
The NHL’s wage cap will improve $1 million to $82.5 million subsequent season, and can probably solely improve by an extra $1 million for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons as properly. That’s how lengthy the NHL initiatives it would take for the gamers to repay house owners the $1 billion in hockey-related income that was misplaced for the reason that begin of the pandemic in March 2020.
Per CapFriendly, the Sharks have already got $70.1 million tied up in 16 gamers for subsequent season, when pending restricted free brokers Mario Ferraro and Kaapo Kahkonen can even want new contracts. The Sharks even have $52.5 million dedicated to 6 gamers the next yr, when Meier will want a brand new deal.
So the Sharks may have to get slightly inventive right here.
The Sharks might save slightly greater than $2 million underneath the cap by buying and selling both James Reimer or Adin Hill within the offseason, as they won't carry three goalies into subsequent season.
Radim Simek, who has a cap hit of $2.25 million every of the subsequent two seasons, is also on the way in which out after he’s fallen on the protection depth chart in current video games. Would there be any takers for Kevin Labanc and his $4.725 million cap hit for the subsequent two seasons whether it is determined that a change in surroundings could be useful to all events?
Sharks assistant normal supervisor Joe Will mentioned on March 21 after the commerce deadline that Barabanov has been “an necessary a part of our staff. He’s scored properly this yr, so we’re simply sort of enjoying out the method.
“He hasn’t performed plenty of video games in his NHL profession and we’ll collect much more info over the subsequent quarter of the season. So we’re simply persevering with the method with him. We’ve been taking tires together with his agent for slightly bit right here, however there’s no hurry on our half.”
Barabanov appears to love it in San Jose, but when he retains placing up good numbers, who is aware of what his price ticket could be on the finish of the common season later this month. Perhaps it will get to a degree the place the Sharks can’t afford to maintain him.
“His puck dealing with, his poise, he’s obtained no worry,” Brent Burns mentioned when requested what he likes about Barabanov. “He’s among the best guys in tight with the puck, making little performs, defending it. For a man that’s not very large, I imply he’s extremely powerful on the park and really expert.”