The St. Louis Blues have officially signed forward Pius Suter to a two-year contract. The deal is worth $8.25 million, carrying an average annual value of $4.125 million. While initial reports indicated a $4 million cap hit for both years, it has been clarified that the second year will carry a $4.25 million cap hit.
Suter, 29, is coming off a career year with the Vancouver Canucks. In 81 regular-season games, he posted career highs in goals (25) and points (46), while also matching his career-high in assists (21). He also recorded 43 blocked shots and 59 hits while averaging over 17 minutes of ice time per game. His performance even earned him a vote for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defensive forward.
Prior to joining the Canucks as a free agent before the 2023-24 season, Suter played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. Across 364 career NHL games, the undrafted Swiss player has accumulated 162 points (80 goals and 82 assists).
Suter began his NHL career in 2020-21 with the Chicago Blackhawks after six seasons and a championship with Zurich SC of Switzerland’s top league. In his rookie season, he tallied 14 goals and 27 points in 55 games, putting him on pace for a 40-point season over 82 games. After his one-year deal with the Blackhawks expired, he signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. In Detroit, he continued to be a reliable third-line player, scoring 15 goals and 36 points in all 82 games of the 2021-22 season. However, his scoring declined to 24 points in 79 games in his final year with the Red Wings, leading to a move to the Canucks on a discounted two-year, $3.2 million deal.
The change of scenery revitalized Suter's scoring touch, as he recorded 29 points in 67 games before his breakout season with Vancouver. Suter has been a consistent middle-six center throughout his NHL career. The Blues are likely hoping he can bring that consistency and offensive upside to their lineup.
Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced the signing. Suter’s new contract represents a significant raise from his previous deal, where he earned $1.6 million over the past two seasons. The St. Louis Blues are adding a versatile player who is coming off a career year, hoping he will be a valuable asset in the upcoming seasons.
