Zakhar Bardakov

Zakhar Bardakov
Born (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001
Seversk, Russia
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Right
KHL team
Former teams
SKA Saint Petersburg
HC Vityaz
Colorado Avalanche
NHL draft 203rd overall, 2021
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2020–present

Zakhar Romanovich Bardakov (Russian: Захар Романович Бардаков; born 24 February 2001) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected in the seventh round, 203rd overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Bardakov played two seasons in the Junior Hockey League (MHL) from 2018 to 2020, leading the league in penalty minutes (PIM) both seasons. Eligible for the 2019 NHL entry draft, he was not selected that year nor the next.[1]

Bardakov spent a majority of the 2020–21 season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with HC Vityaz, debuting as the fourth line center on opening night, against Ak Bars Kazan.[2] After recording eight goals and three assists for 11 points in 44 games, while reducing his penalty minutes to under one minute per night, Bardakov was drafted in the seventh round, 203rd overall, in the 2021 NHL entry draft by the New Jersey Devils.[3]

In June 2021, Bardakov was traded by Vityaz to SKA Saint Petersburg.[4] In the 2021–22 season, Bardakov played just 19 games for his new club, recording one goal and two assists for three points.[5]

Bardakov's penchant for taking penalties returned in the 2022–23 season, as his 45 PIM in 42 games were the most in his KHL career. He spent more time per game killing penalties than serving them, however, as he logged 2:40 of shorthanded time on ice per game. He also reached KHL career-best scoring marks, with six goals and 18 points.[5]

On 1 March 2024, Bardakov's NHL rights were traded by the New Jersey Devils along with a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Kurtis MacDermid.[6]

In the 2024–25 season, his final year under contract with SKA, Bardakov assumed a leadership role as an alternate captain and recorded career best offensive marks with 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in the regular season, ranking tied for fourth on the team in goals and eighth in points. He added two points in six KHL Playoff contests before SKA was eliminated in the opening round against Dynamo Moscow.

On 20 April 2025, Bardakov left SKA as a free agent, following four years with the club, to sign a one-year, entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche for the 2025–26 season.[7][8]

As a restricted free agent with the Avalanche in the off-season and with his NHL rights still retained by the club, Bardakov opted to return to his native Russia in signing a one-year contract with former club, SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, on 3 July 2026.[9]

Personal life

Bardakov and his wife, Daria, have a daughter.[10]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeague GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
2018–19 Russkie Vityazi Chekhov MHL 49161935122 —————
2019–20 Russkie Vityazi Chekhov MHL 51151732149 —————
2020–21 HC Vityaz KHL 44831132 —————
2020–21 Russkie Vityazi Chekhov MHL 41230 —————
2021–22 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 1912316 1602212
2021–22 SKA-Neva VHL 21122 —————
2022–23 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 426121845 91236
2023–24 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 51661278 1013424
2024–25 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 5317183530 61125
2025–26 Colorado Avalanche NHL 60191014 —————
2025–26 Colorado Eagles AHL 11010 —————
KHL totals 209384179201 41381147
NHL totals 60191014 —————

International

Year Team Event Result GPGAPtsPIM
2021 Russia WJC 4th 71124
Junior totals 71124

References

  1. ↑ Davies, C. R. (10 July 2021). "Zakhar Bardakov - 2021 NHL Draft Prospect Profile". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  2. ↑ Seren Rosso, Alessandro; Chegorsky, Nikolay (29 January 2021). "Moving out of comfort zone, Zakhar Bardakov's success story". khl.ru. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  3. ↑ "Devils pick Zakhar Bardakov 203rd overall". allaboutthejersey.com. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "СКА и "Витязь" произвели обмен". ska.ru (in Russian). 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022.
  5. 1 2 Fischer, John (20 August 2023). "The 2023 AATJ Top 25 Devils Under 25: The 17 Outsiders from #42 to #26". allaboutthejersey.com. All About the Jersey. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Kurtis MacDermid Acquired by Devils". nhl.com. National Hockey League. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  7. ↑ "Avalanche signs Bardakov". Colorado Avalanche. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  8. ↑ "Colorado Avalanche sign forward Zakhar Bardakov to one-year entry-level contract". The Sports Network. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  9. ↑ "Zakhar Bardakov returns to SKA". Kontinental Hockey League. 3 July 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Хоккеист СКА Захар Бардаков стал отцом". 78.ru (in Russian). 2 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.