It's funny how TOR can't afford to take decent bottom-6 players in NHL so they take all TOP6 players of KHL and use they at that role. Last season it was Ozhiganov, this year it was Mikheyev and the next year seems to be Barabanov lmao.

There is a whole forum to discuss things like this

So exciting getting a 20 point winger in 46 games from the KHL....My heart is a flutter.

Another undersized winger who can score 35 to 40 points. Just what the team needs. Wow... our problems are solved!

I think you may be underestimating this hockey player who has represented Team Russia in the U18s, U20s, World Championships and Olympic Games and had alot of other NHL teams considering signing him. His addition might also allow Leafs to trade out another forward for a upgrade on the defence. Barabanov could essentially replace the Leafs first round draft pick which was traded away to move Marleau.

Hey I hope you're right. But he's 25 years old. Lots of players played for their country as juniors but never had an NHL career. Looking at his stats as a KHL pro, and his small size really hard to think he's going to be contributor at the NHL level.

I have watched him play he aint bad. He would fit well on the third line. However if Dubas is looking for cheap players who are good go for KHL defenseman. sure Zaitsev and Oghigenov didnt work out one for signing a big contract than tanking the other for being in consistent. But why not try again, there is bound to be one that works.

Actually I thought Zaitsev and Oghigenov could have worked out but thought Babcock's coaching (or lack of) hurt their game.
Zaitsev and Hainsey were worked like rented mules on the PK as Babcock avoid using his other players on the PK...mostly because Gardiner and Reilly couldn't do the job.
IMO Oghigenov (and his partner Dermot) were getting better as a pairing...actually doing well as a cheaper inexperienced pair. Then Muzzin acquired and Oghigenov didn't see the ice and later Dermot was injured. Thought it was bad for the Leafs that Iggy preferred Russia than be play for Babcock anymore. Probably one of the reasons Matthews wanted be a UFA sooner that later because of the incompetence of Babcock.

Babcock should have been fired in 2019. Through hearing stories of his attitude holy cow that man was a monster. Sabotaged Barrie, probs made marner demand more money to play for this team. No wonder no team wants him. Zaitsev to me was okay but wtf happened in y2 from 36 points to 6 wow. As for Oghigenov such a waste. If toronto has muzzin earlier things could have worked out. But from what I could see NHL hockey was just not to his liking. If i could ask one KHL player to come play with the leafs next season Nikita Nesterov. He stuggles with his first NHL attempt but after a few years in the KHL he has gotten significantly better. Plus he knows mikeyv so he may have more reason to come. But from what I heard he wants to resign in the KHL

You may be right but it will be exciting if Leafs actually sign him over the other reported 20 NHL teams that have talked to him.