Ryan Suter’s journey to the St. Louis Blues can be traced back three years when the Minnesota Wild bought out the remaining years of his contract. At that time, Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong reached out to Suter’s representative, Neil Sheehy, expressing interest in the defenseman. However, they couldn’t come to an agreement, and Suter eventually signed with the Dallas Stars. Fast forward to this year, and the Stars decided to buy out Suter once again, prompting him to consider his future in the NHL.
After consulting with his family, Suter confirmed his desire to continue playing. Sheehy and Armstrong once again connected, discussing whether Suter would be a good fit for the Blues. Armstrong wanted to ensure that Suter could integrate well into the team’s locker-room culture. Once satisfied with the answers, they agreed on a one-year contract worth $775,000, with additional performance bonuses.
Suter’s arrival in St. Louis means he will face familiar opponents in the Central Division. Throughout his career, Suter has played for four of the eight teams in the division. This season, he will receive payments from both Minnesota and Dallas while playing against them.
Blues fans may wonder why the team is adding a veteran defenseman when they are undergoing a retooling phase and already have nine defensemen on NHL contracts. Armstrong has stated that the right side of the defense is set with players like Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk, and Matthew Kessel. This leaves a logjam of left-shot defensemen competing for limited spots. The surplus has led to speculation about potential trades, with Torey Krug often mentioned as a possible candidate.
Krug’s fully protected no-trade clause prevents the Blues from making a move without his approval until 2025. Currently, he has not shown willingness to waive it. If a trade cannot be arranged, placing Krug on waivers, like the New York Rangers did with Barclay Goodrow, could be an option. However, there is no guarantee that another team would claim him.
Regardless, the Blues will need to address their defensive surplus, as carrying too many defensemen limits the number of forwards they can have on the roster. In the meantime, Suter provides depth and experience to the team. While he has been criticized in the past for not mentoring younger players, Suter is willing to take on that role in St. Louis. His main goal is to help the team win games, even if it means supporting and guiding the younger blueliners.
In conclusion, the signing of Ryan Suter by the St. Louis Blues adds a veteran presence to their defensive lineup. The team’s decision to bring in another defenseman has raised questions about potential trades, particularly involving Torey Krug. However, finding a suitable solution may prove challenging due to Krug’s no-trade clause. Despite these uncertainties, Suter’s arrival provides depth to the Blues’ defense and the opportunity for him to mentor younger players.