Between Game 1 and 2, the Colorado Avalanche took care of a bit of business, tying up some loose ends by signing 24-year-old Russian forward prospect Zakhar Bardakov to an Entry Level Contract which begins next season. Due to his age, the deal can only be for one year, and then Bardakov will become a Restricted Free Agent in the summer of 2026.
We have signed forward Zakhar Bardakov to a one-year entry-level contract for the 2025-26 season. pic.twitter.com/rtuQhPSYIa
— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 20, 2025
Bardakov was on the radar for a contract ever since he was the trade return for Kurtis MacDermid from the New Jersey Devils in the 2024 trade deadline swap.