Red Wings Wrap-Up: Suter makes strides in sophomore season

One of the Detroit Red Wings' biggest needs entering the 2021-22 season was adding an offensive-minded centerman.

And after the Chicago Blackhawks did not extend Pius Suter a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent last offseason, Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman quickly inked the Swiss native to a two-year deal.
"I think he filled a need for us," Yzerman said on July 29, 2021 after Detroit signed Suter. "He is a skilled guy. He's got good hands. I think he's got good hockey sense. He has some versatility to him as well."

Months later, Suter was asked what it meant for Yzerman to take a chance on him.
"You take it as a big compliment," Suter said on Jan 25. "It means you did something right. You take it with pride and hopefully you can give that trust back."
In his first season with Detroit, Suter proved Yzerman's decision was a smart one. The 25-year-old forward scored 15 goals and tallied 21 assists in playing all 82 games. Along with Lucas Raymond and Calder Memorial Trophy finalist Moritz Seider, Suter was the only other Red Wings player to appear in every game.
"It's my job to score goals, play well defensively, shut down other guys and all that stuff,"

"There's not much else to do aside from winning hockey games."
After a slow start in which he didn't record a point until the eighth game of the season - his production steadily improved.
"A little bit of a rough start offensively," Suter said. "Then it kind of picked up. I think it's just important you play well defensively, and the other chances will come."
Suter arguably had his best month of the season in November, when he collected eight points on four goals and four assists with a plus-3 rating in 14 games.

"I was kind of more ready, more than last year," Suter said on Dec. 8. "I know a few teams and how the game is played. I felt more comfortable starting here, than last year."
So when Suter saw time on Detroit's second line with Robby Fabbri and Tyler Bertuzzi - two players he also skated on the same line with for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League - it was a natural fit. The trio gave the Red Wings a mid-season spark, accounting for 13 goals in 11 games from Jan. 15 - Feb. 12.
"It adds another whole dynamic to our team that we need," Dylan Larkin said on Feb. 12. "It helps all four lines because it makes it harder to match up against us."

And no matter the situation, Suter embraced his role as an offensive catalyst in Detroit.
"Sometimes it's harder, sometimes you're standing in the right position and the puck bounces," Suter said on Jan. 1. "But over time, you get a feel of that. I just try to open up some space for other guys by making the easy pass or finding a guy backdoor. It's a part of my game I always try to be really good at."