Alexander Barabanov’s often frustrating season – and possibly his tenure with the San Jose Sharks – is possibly in doubt as coach David Quinn said Thursday the winger is now considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Barabanov was injured Tuesday as he blocked a shot in the second period of the Sharks’ home game against the Dallas Stars. Barabanov did not play in the third period as the Sharks lost 6-3, marking their eighth straight defeat.
Barabanov, who was spotted wearing a protective boot after Tuesday’s game, did not travel to Minnesota as the Sharks begin a two-game road trip against the Wild on Thursday. San Jose also plays in St. Louis on Saturday night.
Even though the Sharks only have 10 games and three weeks left in the regular season after Thursday, Quinn did not want to rule Barabanov out from returning to the team.
Barabanov had 48 points in 67 games with the Sharks last season but was never able to find a rhythm offensively this season, as he had just 13 points in his first 46 games.
Injuries and illness played a role, as Barabanov broke his finger while blocking a shot in an Oct. 24 game in Florida and missed the next six weeks, then tested positive for COVID before Christmas and missed two games.
Barabanov appeared to be on his way out of San Jose before the NHL trade deadline on March 8 as he was held out of the Sharks’ lineup for a game the night before against the New York Islanders.
However, with the Sharks retaining salary in the trade that saw Tomas Hertl go to the Vegas Golden Knights, the team was unable to keep any money on their books for any other deals. That reportedly caused a Barabanov trade to the New York Rangers to fall through.
Quinn felt Barabanov was playing some of his best hockey of the season after the deadline, as the forward had a goal and two assists in eight games while averaging close to 15 minutes of ice time.
Barabanov, who will turn 30 in June, is in the final year of a two-year, $5 million contract. In four NHL seasons, Barabanov has 107 points in 206 games, averaging 16:39 in ice time.