Detroit Red Wings fans almost universally rejoiced when this announcement was made:
A signing that holds a lot of promise, Pius Suter inks a two-year deal worth about $3.25M AAV and is reunited with his former teammates from the Guelph Storm–Tyler Bertuzzi and Robby Fabbri.
A look at what Suter brings via Jfresh hockey:
Add it to the “Ned” trade and then signing and the deal to acquire Nick Leddy and the Red Wings are meticulously and patiently adding talent around that core Yzerman spoke of a few months ago.
Red Wings Fans Know Suter Well
Suter not only notched his first career goal against Detroit–he recorded a hat trick in the Blackhawks 6-2 drubbing of Detroit back in January. Suter enjoyed a good season with Chicago, having 27 points (14-13) in 55 games. When Chicago didn’t qualify him, the Red Wings fan base was suddenly very wide eyed, wondering if Yzerman could pounce and take a chance.
We know the answer to that now. Heck, we even made a plea for it:
This signing is exciting on a number of levels–mostly knowing that at 25 years old, Suter isn’t just looking for a job–he’s looking to make an impact and build on what he did in Chicago last season. He right away slots in as a second line center, but can go on the wing if need be.
Knowing that Yzerman let a lot of people walk today (none bigger than Luke Glendening, who had been a Red Wings staple for nearly a decade), things are shaping into Yzerman’s guys.
He also didn’t hand out a long term contract, instead opting to keep it at a moderate hit but just two years–keeping in line with the short term deals in order to not hamper the Wings’ cap space.
Red Wings RFAs Still Unsigned
The aforementioned Bertuzzi still remains un-signed, as does Adam Erne, Filip Hronek, and Jakub Vrana among the bigger names. Bringing Suter into the fold seems to be a clue that Bertuzzi is definitely included in at least two years more of Detroit’s plan given their history.
In addition to re-signing Sam Gagner and Calvin Pickard, Yzerman continues to make the smart signings that will not only ice a team, but continue the movement forward.