Toward the end of the 2020-21 season, promising forward Alexander Barabanov was struggling to earn ice time with the Toronto Maple Leafs in his first season in North America. The San Jose Sharks acquired him for Antti Suomela on April 12, 2021, in a move that benefitted them massively for the next couple of seasons.
Right after joining the Sharks, Barabanov went on a hot streak. He finished the season with seven points in nine games as a member of the Sharks, after recording just one point in 13 games with the Maple Leafs.
Barabanov's offensive production continued to improve during the 2021-22 season. In 70 games, he scored 10 goals and 39 points during his first full season for the team in teal.
Barabanov would then follow that up with his best NHL season, scoring 15 goals and 47 points in 68 games during the 2022-23 season.
From there, things went downhill for Barabanov though. His offensive production dropped considerably during the 2023-24 season, which was also the final year of his contract with the Sharks. He played 46 games, often being injured or healthy scratched. He scored just four goals and 13 points.
After the season, Barabanov returned to the Russian Kontinental Hockey League. He signed with Ak Bars Kazan for the 2024-25 season and immediately regained his offensive ability. He scored 25 goals and 58 points in 67 games during his return to the KHL.
This season, Barabanov was just as effective for Ak Bars, scoring 21 goals and 51 points in 64 games. Currently, Ak Bars is in the middle of a playoff series against Metallurg Magnitogorsk. In the playoffs this season, Barabanov has four goals and four assists in 12 games.