You'll never guess who his agent is!
2020-2021 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
bustaheims
Active member
Relatively good numbers in the KHL, decent size. For no real asset cost, seems like a reasonable play.
herman
Well-known member
He also just closed out the Gagarin Cup championship winning it while wearing an 'A' for Avangard Omsk, and playing alongside Ilya Kovalchuk (who terminated the remainder of his KHL deal to pursue the Stanley Cup next season).
Pretty clearly, the recent experiences of Barbanov, Zaitsev, Lindholm, Lehtonen, etc. have still proven very positive despite them not finding success with the Leafs. These players are coming to a top notch development outfit to get acclimated and even if they don't crack Toronto's roster, they get an opportunity elsewhere. The Leafs, for their efforts at a very minimal cap cost, get an asset one way or another.
Pretty clearly, the recent experiences of Barbanov, Zaitsev, Lindholm, Lehtonen, etc. have still proven very positive despite them not finding success with the Leafs. These players are coming to a top notch development outfit to get acclimated and even if they don't crack Toronto's roster, they get an opportunity elsewhere. The Leafs, for their efforts at a very minimal cap cost, get an asset one way or another.
Him and Mikheyev seem to have known each other for awhile. They played 2 seasons in the MHL (KHL's minor league) together from 2012-2014. Semyonov was promoted to the KHL a season earlier and then in 15/16 was traded to another KHL team. In 17/18 his original KHL team reacquired him and he spent another 2 seasons playing with Mikheyev before Ilya joined the Leafs.
They were also born 17 days apart in the same city. Wouldn't be surprised if they played more junior hockey together before the MHL too.
They were also born 17 days apart in the same city. Wouldn't be surprised if they played more junior hockey together before the MHL too.
L K
Active member
herman said:
He's probably not what the Leafs need but when they are scraping the barrel for league minimum players to fill out the roster (especially if they retain Hyman) would you at least consider Kovalchuk in a veteran spot? Obviously depending what guys like Thornton/Spezza do in the offseason.
bustaheims
Active member
L K said:
Kovalchuk could definitely be an interesting value bet. If he's motivated, he's still capable of contributing - not at the level he used to, obviously, but enough to get him 3rd line + PP minutes.
L K said:
I'd say yes but I'm pretty big Kovalchuk fanboi. Only makes sense if Thornton doesn't return though I figure.
L K
Active member
CarltonTheBear said:
He always struck me as a guy who people just decided he sucked defensively for no reason. He's not a Selke player but he seemed like a guy who was at least competent and yeah, I'm definitely intrigued as a guy to add to a 2nd PP unit.
I still figure Kerfoot ends up getting moved (expansion draft?) combined with some of the savings from Andersen's salary to pay for Hyman. So that would leave them with some combination of the Galchenyuk, Spezza, Thornton, Simmonds roster spots as up in the air. I wouldn't bother bringing Simmonds back again unless he really does something special in the postseason. The other three I would take back on similar deals again without hesitation.
bustaheims
Active member
L K said:
Same. Some other potential options, in no particular order: Getzlaf, Perry, Backes (if he doesn't retire), Marcus Johansson, Brandon Sutter, Bonino, Helm, Derek Ryan, Bobby Ryan, Trevor Lewis, Joakim Nordstrom.
Not the sexiest group of names, obviously, but all either candidates for a potential bounce-back season or solid bottom of the lineup depth with some bite, defensive conscious, etc. Most should probably get around the league minimum next season.
L K said:
Spending 8 seasons in Atlanta definitely created some misconceptions about him as a player. And then right when he was showing just how dominant of a player he could be on a legit team he of course left for the KHL which rubbed some people the wrong way.
https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1389976076273819651
Noesen looks like he's getting a shot tomorrow. Foligno still out (update coming likely). Hyman and Nash skated in non-contact jerseys.
Noesen looks like he's getting a shot tomorrow. Foligno still out (update coming likely). Hyman and Nash skated in non-contact jerseys.
https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1389995335020318722
https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1389994968840822794
Guilt Trip
Active member
Milstein was asked if how the Barabanov experiment ended gave Semyonov any hesitation to signing with the Leafs....He said "No."
Hope it works out. Barabanov is doing fine is SJ.
Hope it works out. Barabanov is doing fine is SJ.
Highlander
Active member
With an assist tonight, Alexander Barabanov has 5 points in 5 games since joining the Sharks.Guilt Trip said:
It's arguable he could have another assist on SJ first goal tonight, but still cool nonetheless!