Rtan Suter Signs with Predators

The Nashville Predators recently made a loud statement to their fans that they are indeed serious about building a young contending team when they re-signed defenseman Ryan Suter to a lucrative four- year contract. Suter, who was the teams top pick in the 2003 NHL draft had a breakthrough campaign last season as he accumulated 31 points and led the Preds defense core with seven goals. Signing the contract that all together was worth 14 million, Suter said all along that he never wanted to leave Nashville where according to general manager David Poile, he has gotten better and better throughout his three NHL seasons. “I wanted to be here from the start, so it was easy in that regard,” (signing the extension) said Suter. “The money is obviously nice; but Nashville is a great place and we’ve got a great young team and I really wanted to be here.” Poile, expressed his desire to sign his other young defenseman blue liner Shea Weber and goalie Dan Ellis who sparkled in leading the NHL with a .924 save percentage. “We have a great core to build on and to be one of the best in the NHL,” said Poile. “Usually when you have the best defense, I think that gives you a real good chance to compete for the prize, and that’s ultimately what we want to do.” Suter, is also thrilled about the team aggressively signing their young players which he termed as another step shown by the team to be competitive despite what happened earlier in the front office.  

On June 6, the team took a hit when minority owner William ‘Boots’ Biaggio filed for  Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Approximately a week later, the Metro Nashville Sports Authority decided to allow the team’s other owners time to find a replacement for the 9.8 million that was promised by Biaggio.

This past April against the Detroit Red Wings in the first playoff round, Suter was involved in some NHL history with teammate Jason Arnott during game 3 in Nashville. Suter scored in the third what was the tying goal followed nine seconds later by what was the game winner from Arnott. It was the first time in NHL history that a team has gone from playing catch up to leaping ahead in a playoff game in less than 20 seconds.

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