Last season, Ivan Barbashev was on a roll. The Vegas Golden Knights winger had 15 goals and 15 assists before December 15 struck. Fans will remember the upper-body injury he suffered against the Minnesota Wild, leaving him out of commission.
Yes, that December 15.
The aftermath? Well, he had eight goals and 13 assists. Part of that stems from coming back from a devastating upper-body injury. But it goes to a broader point.
In three seasons in Las Vegas, he has 48 goals and 64 assists. Those aren't bad stats in themselves. But when you're called upon to help Jack Eichel on the top line, fans expect more numbers. That's the biggest problem with Barbashev, for he didn't deliver on that front.
Is there time for the Golden Knights winger to live up to that top-line expectation? What must he do differently to ensure that he shatters his glass ceiling?
Believe it or not, there's a strategy for Barbashev to get back on his feet. That means making a few adjustments to ensure you have staying power. Let's examine the Russian winger and see where his strengths lie as a hockey player.
What are the expectations for Ivan Barbashev in 2025-26?
The 29-year-old has 1,009 career hits and brings a fast, physical presence to the lower lines. He would work better on the second or third unit, specifically with other goal scorers like Tomas Hertl and Brandon Saad.
But if there's one thing the Russian forward can do more, it's shooting the puck. Last season, he had 111 shots on goal for a team-best shooting percentage of 20.7 (minimum of 20 games). Imagine the numbers he could put up if he took his shot more often.
Ironically, people gave Jack Eichel a lot of guff for not shooting the puck when he had the second-most shots on the team (233). Yet, people don't get on the 29-year-old enough for shooting more himself. That must change.
Of course, he must also stay healthy to see a significant bump. That upper-body injury derailed any momentum he had at a career year. Coming back stronger than ever will help his case, whether it's improving his skating speed or sniping abilities.
Where will Barbashev fall in the Golden Knights lineup?
He'll likely fall to the second or third line to start the season. The addition of Mitch Marner means that someone must take the mantle and shoot the puck. Some predictions have Pavel Dorofeyev since he led the team in shots on goal last season (253).
Still, don't be surprised if he gets the bump-up back with Eichel and company. Familiarity is a good thing when building a lineup. You know who you're playing with and you can build each other up. Just look at Reilly Smith since he reunited with William Karlsson.
2025-26 should shape up to be a promising rebound season for Ivan Barbashev. It's a chance for him to break through and help the Golden Knights reach the next level.
Some fans will remember the 2021-22 season with St. Louis (26 goals and 34 assists) and expect him to elevate his game. 2024-25 was the perfect opportunity to shatter those numbers, only for injuries to take that away. Luckily, 2025-26 is a new season, which means new opportunities to break new records.