Pius Suter is looking to build off a successful 2023-24 season as he enters his second year with the Vancouver Canucks
Pius Suter is looking to build off a successful 2023-24 season as he enters his second year with the Vancouver Canucks
One name to keep an eye on this season for the Vancouver Canucks is Pius Suter. Last season, the Swiss forward recorded 29 points in 67 games and was, pardon the pun, like a Swiss Army knife for the Canucks. Now entering his second season with the organization, Suter is once again projected to play a significant role not just at five-on-five but also on special teams.
This offseason, Suter had the opportunity to participate in the NHL's European Player Media Tour. Alongside Filip Hronek, he travelled to Prague, where he took part in interviews and content creation. As Suter explains, he enjoyed the experience, even if it was a little exhausting.
"It was a nice little trip. Obviously, the day itself was hard. It was quite long. Step-by-step interviews, but it was good. It was fun to do something different. Prague is a very nice city. It was very enjoyable and not too far from home."
Part of Suter's versatility is that he can play both center and on the wing. This was evident last season as he was moved throughout the lineup and was able to fill in wherever the team needed him. When asked about what position he prefers, Suter went with a third option, stating that he is ready to play whatever position is necessary to help the team have success.
"I like both. I've got used to both. I wouldn't say I'm more comfortable with one or the other. Just want to be part of the team, help out where I can, and be there for the key moments."
One of the more successful line combinations Suter played with last season involved J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser. In 192 minutes together, the trio outscored the opposition 16-4 and were also one of the more consistent lines in the playoffs. As Suter explains, the trio was able to build chemistry last season, which resulted in plenty of scoring chances.
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"We have chemistry. Obviously, know what they do well, and you try to adjust to that game. What makes them good and how they play the game it's just about the mindset of doing some little things. I think I had quite a few chances, and I definitely want to bury more of those. Overall, it's just an understanding of what each guy can do and where they are going to be once the play is made."
This is a big season for Suter, who will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 28-year-old signed a two-year contract with Vancouver in 2023 and has arguably outperformed his $1.6 million cap hit. While negotiations can be stressful, Suter is more focused on the upcoming season and doing whatever it takes to win games.
"Yeah, not much. Obviously, you know where it's at, but now it's Training Camp. We start the preseason, get in that rhythm, and then start playing and winning games. It's not really on the mind right now."
As for personal goals, Suter reiterated that they are more about team success than personal milestones. While goals and assists are nice, it is clear that team wins matter the most to him. As Suter explains, if the team can get back to where they were last season and take another step forward, he will count that as a successful season.
"Not really. You always have stuff in the back of your mind of hitting certain marks, but it's just about getting back to where we were last year and then getting further. We might have a couple of games we're not playing well, and the team still wins, and that's how it should work. Throughout the whole lineup, I think that was our strength."
Suter is the type of player that every successful team needs in their lineup. No matter what position or line he plays on, he finds a way to impact the game on a nightly basis. If Suter can take another step forward in 2024-25, he should not only be able to set new career highs but also help the Canucks build off their success from last season.
