Zakhar Bardakov

Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, May 2021: This kid kid’s stick skills are amazing. He can do things and put it places like I haven’t seen anyone else in this draft even attempt to do. Like your spleen. Zakhar Bardakov plays a hard in your face style that results in his opponents being a little upset, but you know what? They know when he’s on the ice, and if they don’t he’s going to let you know in a really powerful way. Because at 6’2″ 200 pounds he is looking to deliver a kill shot anywhere on the ice. He plays with pace in such a direct manor that his adjustment to North America might be a little easier than some of his draft eligible peers. He is going to make some veterans furious in his first training camp and then they’re going to hate him even more when he starts brawls in preseason games, but when he makes it onto the roster they will love the energy and anger he brings to the table.