Suter signs 2-year, $3.2 million contract with Canucks
Forward had 24 points in 79 games with Red Wings last season
ByNHL.com @NHLdotcom
Pius Suter signed a two-year, $3.2 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday. It has an average annual value of $1.6 million.
The 27-year-old forward had 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) in 79 games for the Detroit Red Wings last season.
"The Canucks always showed interest right from beginning (of free agency)," Suter said. "I could tell they kind of did their homework on me and at the end, that's what excites me about it the most. They kind of know what I am as a player. But yeah, six weeks (since the start of free agency) has been a bit longer, but now [I'm] excited that I finally know where I'm going and excited to get started."
Signed by the Chicago Blackhawks as an unrestricted free agent July 16, 2020, Suter has 87 points (43 goals, 44 assists) in 216 regular-season games for the Blackhawks and Red Wings. He has played 216 of 220 games in his three NHL seasons.
"Bringing in Pius for the next couple of years really helps us strengthen our center ice position," Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said. "Adding a player who has scored 43 goals the past three seasons will be a boost for us up front and he will also add to our penalty-killing unit as well. His flexibility to be able to play down the middle or on the wing will give [coach Rick Tocchet] more options when putting together his forward lines."
Suter, who averaged 1:44 of short-handed ice time per game last season, said he'll play wherever he's asked to play.
"That's up to the coach, but I'm ready to play any of the three (forward) positions," he said. "I have in the past, all three of them, sometimes in the same game, so we'll see how it goes, and I've just got to show what I can bring to the table during training camp."
Vancouver (38-33-7) finished sixth in the Pacific Division last season and has not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the past three seasons.
The Canucks previously signed forward Teddy Blueger (one year) and defensemen Carson Soucy (three years) and Ian Cole (one year) on July 1.
"There is a lot of skill as well as playmaking," Suter said. "They have really skilled players, shoot well, and I just think we can take a step forward from [last] season and I'm just looking forward to that."
NHL.com independent correspondent Kevin Woodley contributed to this report
