Egor Barabanov – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Egor Barabanov

2025-26 Team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Date of Birth: May 16, 2006
Place of Birth: St. Petersburg, Russia
Ht: 6-foot Wt: 181 pounds
Shoots: L
Position: Forward
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 reentry

Rankings

• NHL Central Scouting: 43rd (among NA skaters)
• Peter Baracchini’s March Top-96: 78th
• Craig Button/TSN: 42nd
• Daily Faceoff: 70th

The landscape in hockey might be different these days. But the Saginaw Spirit continue to produce intriguing players for the NHL Draft. One of their latest examples is Egor Barabanov, someone who has been passed over in both the OHL and NHL Drafts. It’s another feather in the cap for Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill and his ability to find impact players.

Not only was Barabanov an impact player, he was one of the OHL’s leading scorers after being signed as an undrafted free agent from the USHL. His 91 points was fourth in the league. His 63 assists was second in the OHL only behind Brantford’s Jake O’Brien. He was part of one of the OHL’s most dynamic lines along with league-leading scorer Nikita Klepov and Dimian Zhilkin. This trio combined for an absurd 36 power-play goals between them.

Barabanov immediately jumps out with his ability to make plays. Not only can he see the play develop, he has a knack for getting the puck where it needs to go even in tight spaces. His playmaking was on full display in a February game against the Sarnia Sting where he recorded a goal and five assists. Among the ways Barabanov set up goals that night, he did everything from a cross-ice pass to a one-touch pass to the slot as well as a simple pass off an effective zone entry. He also won a board battle on the wall to get the puck to his teammate. He also setup Klepov on a power play for a blast. It’s not only Barabanov’s playmaking that’s drawing attention, but the number of different ways he can setup his teammates.

Interest in Barabanov has skyrocketed because he’s more than a setup man. The goal has scored at the OHL Top Prospects Game was a thing of beauty. From in tight around the net, he took a pass and went backhand to forehand to score. This play showed off the hands he has to put himself in position and then score in one motion. He will now have plenty of opportunity to hone his overall game as he’ll be taking his talents to UMass for the 2026-27 season.

Doesn't matter if it's an inch or a mile 🤏

Egor Barabanov sneaks one just across the line to bring the @SpiritHockey back to even in game one!#KITvsSAG | #OHLPlayoffs | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/lcVF2tdXEM

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 28, 2026

Teams that draft Barabanov will see the tantalizing offense he brings as a center. While he’ll need to work on rounding out key aspects of his game such as play away from the puck and faceoffs, he’s the kind of player that teams looking for skill will covet. To go from undrafted and passed over to near the top of the scoring race makes for a great story. It only reinforces how well the Spirit do in identifying talent and then getting the most out of them. Barabanov is just the latest example of someone from Saginaw hoping to make an impact in the NHL someday.

Other THW Draft Profiles

• Ben Wilmott
• Blake Zielinski
• Alessandro Di Iorio

Igor Barabanov – NHL Draft Projection

Barabanov’s higher-end skill makes him a candidate to hear his name called earlier on Day 2. Although he’s a reentry, Barabanov’s profile is the kind of one that teams love to bet one as the draft goes on.

Quotables

“One of the more notable re-entry prospects, Barabanov was an absolute delight to watch in Saginaw this year. Barabanov plays with a boatload of skill. He has quick hands and is always scanning for passing lanes, but he knows when he needs to shoot the puck himself, too. Barabanov does a solid job of exploiting open space, and he’s getting better defensively, too. He has always had talent, but the results are finally starting to follow – and it’s hard not to adore the nastiness in his game, either.” –Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

“Barabanov is a highly skilled playmaker. He’s really dangerous coming out of the cycle because he escapes pressure so well, keeps plays alive, and has good vision and execution as a passer. And while he’s not large or exceptionally strong on the puck, he’s a pretty hard worker in the offensive end who earns touches. He had such a good year with Saginaw, developing chemistry with Klepov and Zhilkin and earning all the ice time that he could handle.” –Brock Otten

Strengths 

• Excellent playmaker
• Ability to finish
• Good hockey sense
• Compete level
• Plays with an edge

Under Construction- Improvements to Make

• Size and strength
• Continued defensive improvement
• Faceoffs

NHL Potential

Barabanov projects as a middle-six forward who can play in any offensive situation. His compete level and work ethic show a willingness to do what’s needed to stick in the NHL once he gets there.  

Risk- Reward Analysis

Risk- 3/5, Reward 3/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense- 8/10, Defense 6/10

Awards/ Achievements

Barabanov won championships three times in four seasons in New Jersey prior to joining the USHL. He’s also won OHL Player of the Week honors.

Interviews/ Links

• Saginaw’s Barabanov, Klepov named OHL Performers of the Week -WNEM
• Spirit sign Barabanov to Standard Player Agreement -CHL

Egor Barabanov Stats

Videos