The San Jose Sharks have acquired Alexander Barabanov from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs will be getting Antti Suomela in return. The deal is one for one.
Maple Leafs and Sharks Swap Forwards
Alexander Barabanov to the San Jose Sharks. #TradeCentre pic.twitter.com/jKD2oRo5TX
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 12, 2021
Alexander Barabanov is a 26-year-old Russian-born winger. He has appeared in 13 games at the NHL level and only picking up one assist in that time. In two AHL appearances this season he has notched two goals and three assists for five points in the AHL. Barabanov signed a one-year deal with the Leafs last season in April that had him locked in for this season. Last year he played in the KHL for SKA St. Petersburg appearing in 43 games. In that time he scored 11 goals and 9 assist for 20 total points.
Suomela is a 27-year-old centre born in Finland. Last season with the Sharks he appeared in 20 games scoring seven points. In 51 NHL games, he has scored four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. Before the NHL season started the centre played in the Finnish league for HIFK Helsinki. He appeared in 10 games scoring five points.
What this means for the Future
Both players still have a decent amount of upside to their game. For San Jose, they get an impressionable winger who could sign with them in the offseason and make a difference as they continue to avoid a full rebuild of the roster. Toronto is getting a depth centrepiece who they could either bring up on the fourth line as an NHL ready replacement for Pierre Engvall or they could play him in the minors until next season. Alexander Barabanov will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and could fetch a million and change on a contract from any team that signs him. Suomela is on an expiring deal as well and carried a $700,000 dollar cap hit.
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