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Sharks acquire Alexander Barabanov from Maple Leafs

In another trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the San Jose Sharks have acquired forward Alexander Barabanov in exchange for forward Antti Suomela.

The 26-year-old Barabanov signed a one-year entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs last April. Prior to that, he played juniors in Russia, eventually becoming a KHL mainstay by 2016 with SKA Saint Petersburg. He represented the Olympic Athletes of Russia at the 2018 Olympic Games at PyeongChang, winning Gold. He also has represented Russia at the IIHF World Championships, winning Bronze in 2017 and 2019.

Over seven seasons in the KHL, Barabanov has played in 262 games, tallying 62 goals, 75 assists and 54 penalty minutes. In 13 NHL games, he has one assist.

The right-winger is on a one-year contract worth $925,000, including a signing bonus of $92,500, with a minors salary of $70,000. He will be assigned to the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.

Suomela is on a slightly cheaper deal, one year at $700,000 with a $350,000 minors salary.

The Sharks scooped up the undrafted center out of the Finnish Liiga in 2018, signing one-year contracts with the team every summer since while floating between the Sharks and the Barracuda. The 27-year-old has totaled 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) in 51 NHL games with the Sharks and 35 (12 goals, 23 assists) points in 71 games in the AHL.

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