Ryan Suter’s Agent Talks D-Man’s Ask in New UFA Deal, Early Favorites

Almost immediately following the news that Ryan Suter was being bought out by the Minnesota Wild — a move that shocked a lot of people –, word started to spread that teams were keenly interested in acquiring the defenseman’s services. A veteran blueliner, capable of eating huge minutes, many believe there’s still a lot of game left there and he could be a useful add.

Neil Sheehy, Suter’s agent told Michael Russo of The Athletic, “Lots of teams are interested in Ryan. Lots. I was talking to somebody yesterday that said, ‘There’s not a single team in the league that could have gone through all of their offseason scenarios and exercises and ever thought that Ryan Suter would be available.'” As such, it’s easy to imagine teams scrambling around a little trying to see if they can organize their rosters and salary cap commitments to see if Suter fits.

The good news is that Suter is already going to be paid quite well by the Wild as part of his buyout. He may not been stuck on the idea that he needs to sign a massive deal with another club and max out his ability to double dip. At the same time, Sheehy contends that Suter will be selective.

Sheehy made crystal clear that Suter is looking for the best combination of playing for a contending team, but getting a good deal for a longer term. He doesn’t want to uproot his family (wife and four kids) for a single-season run with a Cup contender. He wants to find a spot where he can play the next few seasons and be a contributor. So too, the player and the agent know his value. They believe he’s still a top-four defenseman in the NHL and the plan is to get paid as such. Sheehy said. “So it’s not as if his game has really declined. He’s a top-four defenseman and still has that steadiness factor.”

Suter Wants to Win and Get Paid… The Avalanche?

Sheehy has confirmed that most of the teams who reached out are contenders. The agent and the player are waiting for teams to make their pitches and Suter will select his spot based on opportunity, role and, of course, money and term. Russo writes, “But likely the ideal spot for Suter, if he wants to play for a Cup contender, is the Colorado Avalanche.”

A few sources now have noted that they believe the Avalanche are the best fit, not only because they are contenders, but because they just moved defenseman Ryan Graves to the New Jersey Devils and after the NHL Expansion Draft would like to replace him. That said, the Avs have to be careful about money spent as they have big tickets coming up for contract renewal and there’s some drama unfolding when it comes to trying to get Gabriel Landeskog re-signed.

If not the Avs, the Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues, and Chicago Blackhawks are all teams that Suter is apparently looking at.

The one thing that is for certain, Suter is going to end up making more money than he would have his final years in Minnesota. He gets $6.7 million of the $10 million the Wild still owed him, plus whatever he gets on his next contract.

Next: Seattle Kraken Set to Select and Sign Panthers G Chris Driedger