Ryan Suter figures to be atop the Detroit Red Wings’ wish list when free agency begins on July 1. That is, of course, if the potential unrestricted free agent opts to leave the Nashville Predators.
Suter, speaking with the media on Wednesday as the Predators cleared out their lockers following a playoff loss to Phoenix, said that he would wait “a couple of weeks” before sitting down and chatting with Nashville GM David Poille.
Is the two week wait period in order to unwind?
“Your emotions are so high throughout the year, and you try not to have any distractions, and you’re so focused and now that the year is over you want to get away from everything and wind down and you got meetings going on and get back home with your family, but I think the time is to get away from everything.”
That’s a tact similar to the one Nicklas Lidstrom has used since starting his year-to-year approach to his contract. When the Wings were eliminated from this year’s postseason, Lidstrom said that he would take some time before making a decision on his future, though he said he would let the team know of his plans prior to free agency opening.
Whether Lidstrom returns or not, Suter might be an ideal fit on Detroit’s blue line, especially considering that the Wings have a large amount of cap space to spend this summer. Detroit also may be facing the loss of Brad Stuart, who will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and has talked a lot about playing for a team closer to his home in California.
Suter also said Wednesday: “Wherever I sign I want to be there for the rest of my career.”
That may be good news for the Wings, too, if they’re looking to give Suter a big contract but spread the cap hit out over several years, as they’ve done with Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg and others. Suter figures to command a hefty contract — possibly somewhere in the neighborhood of $7 million per year.
Suter, 27, had 46 points (7 goals, 39 assists) this season and finished with a plus-15 rating.
