Bardakov agreed to terms on a one-year contract with KHL SKA St. Petersburg on Friday, Jeremy Garrett of Hockey News Hub reports.
Bardakov was given a qualifying offer by the Avalanche, so the team will retain his NHL rights. The 25-year-old center logged 60 regular-season games for Colorado in 2025-26 in which he notched one goal, nine assists and 35 shots while averaging 7:12 of ice time. Despite all the games in the regular season, Bardakov served as a healthy scratch in the postseason. If he can impress with SKA, Bardakov could get another shot in the NHL down the road.
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Avalanche's Zakhar Bardakov: Nabs helper Sunday
Rotowire
Bardakov registered an assist in Sunday's 3-2 overtime win over the Capitals.
Bardakov ended an 18-game slump with the helper on Nicolas Roy's third-period goal. The 25-year-old Bardakov is currently in a fourth-line role, but he hasn't logged more than 10 minutes of ice time since Jan. 29 versus the Canadiens. He's at 10 points, 30 shots on net, 47 hits and 21 blocked shots over 55 appearances this season.
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Avalanche's Zakhar Bardakov: Stuck in slump
Rotowire
Bardakov's point drought reached 16 games in Monday's 7-2 loss to the Penguins.
Bardakov has played regularly during that stretch, but he's in a fourth-line role with limited ice time. The 25-year-old has produced nine points, 29 shots on net, 47 hits, 20 blocked shots, 12 PIM and a plus-5 rating over 52 outings as a rookie this season. Bardakov could lose his place in the lineup once the Avalanche get healthier, but he's likely got another week to prove himself before that happens.
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Avalanche's Zakhar Bardakov: Called up Thursday
Rotowire
Bardakov was recalled from AHL Colorado on Thursday.
Bardakov was sent to the AHL on Tuesday, but he'll rejoin the NHL club following a brief stint in the minors. The 24-year-old has appeared in 32 games with the Avalanche this year, generating a goal, seven assists, 30 hits, 16 blocked shots and six PIM while averaging 7:17 of ice time.
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Avalanche's Zakhar Bardakov: Sent down to AHL
Rotowire
Bardakov was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Tuesday.
After 32 games at the NHL level, Bardakov will take his first trip to the AHL following Tuesday's news. While he had just begun to produce points consistently with three helpers across his last four games, his inconsistency in finding the scoresheet during the months prior kept him in a limited role. The 24-year-old forward has shown promise in his first NHL season with eight points, but he may need more time to retool his game in the minors before potentially rejoining the Avalanche later this season.
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Avalanche's Zakhar Bardakov: Manages helper in loss
Rotowire
Bardakov notched an assist, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Lightning.
Bardakov has played in four straight games since injuries started to pile up again for the Avalanche. The 24-year-old remains in a fourth-line role, which will continue to limit his scoring potential. He's up to six points, 19 shots on net, 27 hits, 11 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating through 29 appearances this season.
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Avalanche's Zakhar Bardakov: No place in lineup
Rotowire
Bardakov was scratched for the sixth straight game in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Mammoth.
Bardakov was a regular while the Avalanche were trying to get to full health earlier in the year, but the 24-year-old has lost his place with the team missing just Logan O'Connor (hip) up front. Bardakov will have to wait for more players to be absent before he can add to his totals of five points, 16 shots on net and 22 hits in 25 games this season.
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Avalanche's Zakhar Bardakov: Logs first two-point game
Rotowire
Bardakov had two assists and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Oilers.
This was Bardakov's first multi-point effort in the NHL. The 24-year-old helped out on goals by linemates Gavin Brindley and Parker Kelly during the second period. Through 10 appearances, Bardakov has four points, seven shots on net, 10 hits and a plus-3 rating, though he's averaging just over six minutes of ice time per game. Until his usage increases, it'll be tough for the Russian to provide any consistency on offense.
Bardakov signed a one-year, entry-level contract with Colorado on Sunday.
Bardako could join AHL Colorado on an amateur tryout for the Calder Cup Playoffs because his contract begins in 2025-26. He had 17 goals and 35 points in 53 regular-season games for KHL SKA St. Petersburg in 2024-25 before adding one goal and one assist in six playoff outings.
