Bardakov Earns Landeskog’s Respect By Turning Defense Into A Strength

DENVER — When Zakhar Bardakov first arrived in Denver for optional skates ahead of Colorado Avalanche training camp, his difficulties in defensive drills were hard to miss. But over the past few months, the Russian forward has transformed that former liability into one of his emerging strengths — progress significant enough to draw the notice of his captain, Gabe Landeskog.

After Colorado’s 3–1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night, a game that opened at a sluggish pace, Bardakov spent the evening flying around the ice, forechecking as if everything were at stake. Afterward, The Hockey News asked captain Gabe Landeskog to evaluate how far the forward has come since first arriving in North America from Russia.

"He's a really good skater, a powerful guy, and he continues to adapt to this game here," Landeskog said. "I thought he's done a great job. Training camp, he (earned) that spot, continues to work well and work hard and it's not easy for anybody."

People often place too much emphasis on numbers. Statistics are undeniably important and an integral part of the game, but that focus can sometimes obscure the contributions of players who are not putting up MacKinnon-level totals every night. Bardakov is the kind of skater who is constantly working to get to the play, committed to checking on both sides of the puck, and relentless in pressuring opponents into mistakes that create opportunities for his teammates. Landeskog was particularly impressed with how he performed against the Canucks.

"Tonight, he was really strong," he continued. "It was one of his stronger games in a while, and he continues to bring a lot of energy. He's a physical guy, a strong guy. He continues to put himself in good spots to put pucks at the net and create offense."

Bardakov has been on Colorado’s radar for an NHL contract ever since he arrived as the return for Kurtis MacDermid in the 2024 trade-deadline deal with the New Jersey Devils. The former 2021 seventh-round pick then delivered the strongest season of his career with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, recording 17 goals and 35 points over 53 games. That performance earned him a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2025–26 season, which he signed in April.

Bardakov scored his first NHL goal on October 28 in an 8–4 Avalanche win over the New Jersey Devils at Ball Arena, on a night when Victor Olofsson recorded his first career hat trick and a career-high five points.

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