Ryan Suter will be lacing it up for a new team come the fall.
The 39-year-old defenceman inked a one-year, $775,000 deal with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, the team announced.
The deal also includes up to $2.225 million in performance bonuses.
Suter was bought out for the second time in his career this past June, with his former club, the Dallas Stars, spreading out his salary at a lesser rate over the next two seasons and gaining $1.4 million in cap space while doing so.
The Minnesota Wild also chose to buy out Suter’s contract in 2021, with him and current UFA Tony DeAngelo being the only two players in the league to be bought out twice in their careers.
Despite his best years being well behind him, Suter has continued to be a reliable and available option on defence for NHL teams. Suter appeared in 82 games for three consecutive seasons and currently holds one of the longest Ironman streaks in the league.
Selected by the Nashville Predators seventh overall in the 2003 NHL Draft, Suter’s decorated 19 seasons in the league garnered stops in Nashville, Minnesota, Dallas.
Through 1,444 career games, Suter has tallied 681 points yet has been unable to claim hockey’s greatest prize.
No current player has played in more career NHL games without winning a championship than Suter.
Veteran defenseman Ryan Suter has found a new home for the upcoming NHL season, as he recently signed a one-year deal with the St. Louis Blues. The 36-year-old defenseman had been a free agent since being bought out by the Minnesota Wild earlier this summer.
Suter brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Blues’ blue line. He has played over 1,000 games in the NHL and has been a consistent top-pairing defenseman throughout his career. Suter is known for his strong defensive play, ability to move the puck effectively, and his leadership both on and off the ice.
The addition of Suter is a significant one for the Blues, who are looking to bolster their defense after a disappointing season last year. With Suter in the lineup, the Blues will have a reliable veteran presence to help mentor their younger defensemen and provide stability on the back end.
Suter’s signing also adds depth to the Blues’ defense corps, which will be crucial over the course of a long and grueling NHL season. His experience and versatility will be valuable assets for the team as they look to compete in a tough Central Division.
Overall, the addition of Ryan Suter is a positive move for the St. Louis Blues. His signing brings experience, leadership, and depth to their defense, and should help solidify their blue line for the upcoming season. Fans can look forward to seeing Suter in action as he suits up for the Blues in the 2021-2022 NHL season.