One of the more heralded moves in Detroit Red Wings’ GM Steve Yzerman’s tenure was the signing of Pius Suter this offseason. Discarded shockingly by the Chicago Blackhawks, Yzerman wasted no time and scooped up the Swiss center.
Now it will be interesting to see just what the guy can do.
Pius Suter
Age: 25
Center
Seasons with the Red Wings: First
Stats Snapshot (last season with Blackhawks)
Goals: 14
Points: 27
CF% 53.1
Pts/60: 1.81
ixG: 13.7
GAR: 6.2
(Advanced stats courtesy of Evolving Hockey)
Last Season
So this is a little different as Suter was with the Blackhawks and certainly had his way with the Red Wings where he netted his first career goal and first career hat trick in the same contest. Suter was a solid option down the middle and it was stunning that he was allowed to walk as Chicago didn’t qualify him. It left it open for the Red Wings and Yzerman didn’t hesitate. Suter was inked to a two-year, $3.25M AAV deal.
Best Case Scenario for the season:
Suter is the second line center the team desperately needs. He’s already shown what he can do in the preseason, especially on the power play. Suter does the little things and if he adds 20 or more goals as well, it’s going to be quite the boost to the team’s scoring. With how great he’s looked on the powerplay, 20 goals doesn’t seem like such a stretch.
Worst Case Scenario:
He doesn’t live up to expectations. Yzerman didn’t break the bank with Suter, but he did give him a nice raise. The idea here being that he would be the guy who would help down the middle and give Detroit scoring they’ve missed out on. One fair question: was he a benefactor of playing on a line with Patrick Kane? We’ll find out this season.
The Prediction Part:
This signing has the potential to be a steal similar to the Robby Fabbri trade. Suter was acquired for nothing, at a reasonable contract, and has already looked terrific in the Winged Wheel. It feels like this could be one of those deals that helps escape the rebuild faster. Perhaps I’m over-enthused, but I could see Suter notching 20 goals and potentially 50 points–especially on a power play that already looks much stronger this season.
Trade Deadline Target Possibility Prediction: Very, very slim
If it happens, it’ll be next season. Suter seems like an Yzerman type player and is young enough that if he fits the age range and plan of what he’s trying to build. Again, unless he’s in a bigger deal that lands an unbelievably important player, Suter seems a lock to stay in Detroit for his full two-year contract.
Bottom Line:
Suter has already shown flashes of the player he can be. The Blackhawks have had a lot of success signing players from overseas who turn into serviceable veterans or even stars, think Artemi Panarin. Suter’s potential is high, and if Yzerman is right in his thinking, he could become a major component of the rebuild.
Take this for what it is, too. Many of my closest friends are diehard Blackhawk fans and they were beside themselves not only when Suter wasn’t qualified, but when he signed with Detroit. In my buddy Jim’s words: “That’s a great get for Yzerman.” FanSided site Blackhawk Up also agreed.
Wings fans rejoiced with the move. Now it’s time to see how well it pays off.