The Minnesota Wild have released 36-year-old defenseman Ryan Suter, the team announced Tuesday. Suter has played the last nine seasons in Minnesota. The Wild bought out the remaining four years of Suter’s contract.
The Bruins signing Suter makes almost too much sense. The glaring holes with the depth on the defensive side during the playoffs was an issue for the Bruins. Injuries to Brendan Carlo and Kevan Miller forced players who aren’t ready to be front like defensemen such as Jeremy Lauzon, Jarred Tinordi, and Conor Clifton.
Adding Suter could add a veteran presence to the left side of the defense and last season proves that Suter still has some play left in him. Suter constantly plays 22 to 24 minutes a game, sure his offensive numbers dipped last season, only netting 19 points (three goals and 16 assists). He entered last season with five consecutive 40-plus points, so he could easily return to those numbers with a new team and a full season.
If a Suter signing does happen for the B’s, a top-four defensive unit that includes Matt Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy on the first line and Suter and Carlo on the second line could rival other teams for the top four defensemen in the league. Suter has also never played in a Stanley Cup Final, and the Bruins are seemingly just a couple of signings away from making that happen.
(Photo of Ryan Suter/Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images)