Bardakov's Long Road Back: Can He Reclaim His NHL Dream?

Zakhar Bardakov isn't ready to close the book on his NHL career, even if the league has moved on for now. The Russian forward is plotting his return from wherever his current path has taken him, banking on a second act that's proven elusive for many players who've fallen out of the league's favor. It's a familiar story in professional hockey - the talented prospect who needs to prove he belongs again - but Bardakov's determination suggests he believes his best hockey is still ahead of him.