SAN JOSE — Forward Antti Suomela, arguably the Sharks’ biggest free agent signing out of Europe in 2018, is now fighting for a job to stay in the NHL.
“This is the biggest year for me, absolutely,” Suomela said Tuesday. “I really want to play well this year.”
Suomela, 25, receives his first opportunity Tuesday to show he belongs, as he’ll start on a line with Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc for the Sharks’ preseason opener at SAP Center against the Anaheim Ducks.
Suomela made the Sharks’ roster at the end of training camp last season and was the team’s third line center for most of the first two months of the regular season.