Barabanov's Season Never Got In Rhythm; Sharks Looking For Improvement
San Jose Sharks winger Alexander Barabanov is not having a great season. The coaching staff and the player know it, and now the trade deadline is approaching.
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports - Barabanov's Season Never Got In Rhythm; Sharks Looking For ImprovementSan Jose Sharks winger Alexander Barabanov is not having a great season. The coaching staff and the player know it, and now the trade deadline is approaching.
Barabanov's season didn't start great, as he broke a finger off a Mike Hoffman shot against the Florida Panthers. Barabanov also revealed that he came down with COVID-19 just before the Christmas break.
"That's tough to say. [It was a] bad start for the team. I have a broken finger [and when I] come back, I was playing good, started scoring points, but after this COVID. [I was out six days," Barabanov said about his lack of offense.
He explained that it has felt like he has had to restart his season twice, once after his finger injury and again after COVID-19.
"After I broke my finger, I felt good. I go on the ice, and I worked hard then COVID," Barabanov said. "Then it's like I have to start again like it is a new season. It's tough."
Barabanov has nine points this season (3 goals, 6 assists) in 34 games. He was recently a healthy scratch against the Vegas Golden Knights.
While Barabanov denied that the trade deadline was affecting his play, head coach David Quinn said it is inevitable for the team to think about it.
"It affects guys differently. Some guys don't get affected by it. Some guys get affected by little, some guys get affected by it a lot, and it also may cause a little bit of hesitation," Quinn said. "This sport is so fast [that] if you're just a little off, you look like a completely different player. I think that can happen to people in his situation."
Quinn agreed with Barabanov about his season and not being able to get in rhythm.
"He's had a hard time getting in rhythm, through no fault of anybody," Quinn said. "There's been inconsistency. There have been some real good moments for him since he's been back, but there have been some down moments, and he just has to eliminate those bad shifts in those bad situations. As we've talked about, how bad is your bad, right? He's gonna raise the floor a little bit on his bad shifts."
Barabanov's name has been heavily circled in trade rumors. The Colorado Avalanche reportedly were heavily interested but signed Zach Parise due to the Sharks' asking price. The Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning have also been reported as teams interested.
Quinn confirmed that Barabanov's scratching will only last one game and that when he does return to the Sharks lineup, it will be within the top-six forwards.
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