Though Antti Suomela led the Finish Liiga in scoring and helped his team control 5-on-5 shot share last season as a 23-year-old, there were always likely to be some growing pains as he transitioned to the North American ice surface. Recently, he has apparently struggled through that adjustment. Benched at various points in favor of a combination of Rourke Chartier, Barclay Goodrow and now Lukas Radil, Suomela has watched a handful of games from the rafters. Coach Pete DeBoer talked in early November about the young pivot hitting a bit of a “plateau” before scratching him.
Off the Charts: Suomela is an ideal depth center
