Canucks land Pius Suter on 2-year pact with $1.6M AAV

The Vancouver Canucks bolstered their forward depth on Friday by signing Pius Suter to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.6 million, the team announced.

Suter recorded 14 goals and 10 assists in 79 games while averaging 14:04 per contest with the Detroit Red Wings last season.

The 27-year-old Swiss product has played both center and wing throughout his three-year NHL career, although he figures to slot in at the former in Vancouver, given the Canucks' lack of depth down the middle. After Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, Vancouver's center depth is comprised of Teddy Blueger and Nils Aman. Suter will likely compete for the third-line center role.

"Bringing in Pius for the next couple of years really helps us strengthen our centre ice position," Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement.

"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," Allvin added. "His flexibility to be able to play down the middle or on the wing will give (head coach Rick Tocchet) more options when putting together his forward lines."

Suter's posted excellent defensive metrics throughout his career - both at even strength and on the penalty kill. The latter will be a welcomed boost to a Canucks team that owned the NHL's worst penalty kill at 71.6% last season.

The 5-foot-11, 179-pound forward initially signed with the Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He spent one year in Chicago before playing for the Red Wings the last two seasons.

Suter has averaged 16 goals and 16 assists per 82 games across his three NHL campaigns.

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