Ok, this is one of those, “I’m going to regret this” responses. Veleno hasn’t been able to secure the Center position in the AHL or overseas. He keeps getting moved to the wing. That’s not a good sign. Berggren was getting a lot of high praise for his play at center. I believe JB is better as a center. Veleno will probably grab a winger position. it’s tough, because people are much more familiar with JV because he played in North America. Berggren needs time on North American Ice. I think after this year Veleno should be taking an NHL spot. Which line is up to him. In a couple years Berggren could be centering Veleno and (?). We’ll see.

Detroit’s issue has been a glut of 3rd and 4th line players and not quite 2 top lines. We need another center at least as good as Larkin. That hasn’t happened at this point. Fabbri was pretty good in the middle playing with Zadina and Ryan. It’s still a significant jump. Just my opinion.
- Jeremy Laura

I've not seen Bergy play that much at Center, but I haven't looked too much at him on the various "tubes". Regardless, they BOTH need to germinate a bit before they can lay claim to #3 or #4 C spot....at BEST. You know how much I regard Fabbri (there was some VERY good chemistry on that line w/Zads & Ryan....RE-SIGN RYAN!!!), kids got guts and talent. VERY good for the club. We REALLY need a good Center (Eichel & Larkin are buds.... ), but there's NO way I'd pay what's being asked right now. Maybe we just grow our own.......

I’d love for Rasmussen to take a jump forward. He had to work his butt off to grab the 3rd line center spot. I don’t know what to do with JV. Berggren is better in the middle at this point. Veleno is so fast, he may benefit being a winger for now
- Jeremy Laura

I really think Ras has developed, albeit at a much slower rate than desired. He's a solid guy, good for #3 for now. The Berggren/Veleno discussion above kinda lays out where I see things....
BLUF: We need Centremen.

We got our G-man, now the effort for C starts with intensity; develop what we have and see how they perform. I'm not crapping my pants over it, because I know we're not going to contend in the near future, but I think that being a C really takes time and effort....would almost say it's right up there with being a good D-man. If Ras & Bergy grow, they'd be some pretty potent Cs down the road.....just my thoughts.

They really gotta add a center of some sort, I don't think what this team is sitting on right now, considering potential injuries, is gonna cut it. Gotta find a Glendening replacement, who else is left out there at C?

We got Pius Suter. George Malik must be giddy!

They really gotta add a center of some sort, I don't think what this team is sitting on right now, considering potential injuries, is gonna cut it. Gotta find a Glendening replacement, who else is left out there at C?
- Datsyuks_Dangle

We got one!

They really gotta add a center of some sort, I don't think what this team is sitting on right now, considering potential injuries, is gonna cut it. Gotta find a Glendening replacement, who else is left out there at C?
- Datsyuks_Dangle

Eichel

David Krejci Bozak Staal Riley Nash Cizikas Ennis

We got Pius Suter. George Malik must be giddy!
- Jeremy Laura

Now an EX-Wing killer!!!!

Now an EX-Wing killer!!!!
- HenryHockey

This is the one I’ve been waiting on. Once Danault was gone, I’d hoped Yzerman was working on something with Pius

This is the one I’ve been waiting on. Once Danault was gone, I’d hoped Yzerman was working on something with Pius
- Jeremy Laura

I don't know if he is a 2-way player, but I bet he is going to learn to be!

OK, now sign Bobby Ryan and then lay back in the weeds till a good trade deal comes our way!

Suter:

The 25 year old Swiss forward will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this two year deal. He previously played in Guelph with Tyler Bertuzzi and Robin Fabbri

Suter put up 14 goals and 27 points playing about 2/3rds of his 5-on-5 time on Chicago's top line with Alex DeBrincat and the other winger who puts up a lot of points.

His underlying numbers suggest he held his own well on top line duties but he's a better fit for a 2C role. He'll have plenty of chances to perform with the Wings.

He looks be our 2nd line C!!!!!

McIrath went to the Caps

Suter:


He looks be our 2nd line C!!!!!
- HenryHockey

Fans on Twitter want him with Bertuzzi and Fabbri. That would move Zadina up to the Larkin/Vrana line

Definitely locking in as our 2C at this point

Blog updated with Gagner and Oesterle interviews (zoom)

Suter gets 2.75 this year, 3.75 next. Total 6.5 for 2 years

Suter gets 2.75 this year, 3.75 next. Total 6.5 for 2 years
- Jeremy Laura

Big monies for Mr. Suter

With Leddy and Ned along with the depth acquisitions, I'm pretty satisfied. There weren't many other pieces I was looking at. Glad we didn't take on of those 6 or 7 year deals. I'd be happy to welcome in Tatar on a 2 or 3 year deal for some secondary scoring, but I'm content if this is where we end on FA.

Suter is much better value at 3.25 AAV than Danault at 5.5. I'm glad Steve moved on. Still a little bummed to lose Glendening, I hope it doesn't hurt the locker room too much. Steve must be confident with Pearson at 4C.

I really love this add, Suter was a Wings killer, he always had big games when we played against him. 2nd line C that we can maybe get 20+ goals out of, plus it potentially reunites the Bert - Suter - Fabbri line. Happy with this signing.

Glad Stevie got a goalie early! The Avs and Sabers are looking at scraps or bidding for Keumper! Maybe Flurey gets moved to the Pens and Jarry gets traded too.

I'm ecstatic the Wings got Suter... he was THE guy I wanted from the start. Great signing and at a pretty reasonable price. Was expecting he'd get about 3 million AAV. Rumor has it he had a lot of interest from clubs and was taking his time. Looks like Stevie got another great signing.

Onto the next: Nick Ritchie from Philly... that would be another steal of a signing. Have not heard any rumors yet though.

Suter is much better value at 3.25 AAV than Danault at 5.5. I'm glad Steve moved on. Still a little bummed to lose Glendening, I hope it doesn't hurt the locker room too much. Steve must be confident with Pearson at 4C.
- todd3066

Well Suter can't win faceoffs, whereas Danault is one of the best. So that's a huge difference. When you are protecting a lead late in the game, Danault is your guy, whereas Suter gets stapled to the bench. And despite all the love for Suter, his play away from guys like Kane and DeBrincat was pretty ordinary. Coming to Detroit he'll have a downgrade in talent on his wings. Given all of our cap space, I'd have no problem going an extra $2.25M and getting Danault instead. Now I'll let the Suter love echo chamber continue...

Good for Bernier also getting more than 4 mil from the Devils. He had some great seasons for us, he's earned it. Maybe Hughes and co. can figure things out and they can make a decent run for a playoff spot this season.

Well Suter can't win faceoffs, whereas Danault is one of the best. So that's a huge difference. When you are protecting a lead late in the game, Danault is your guy, whereas Suter gets stapled to the bench. And despite all the love for Suter, his play away from guys like Kane and DeBrincat was pretty ordinary. Coming to Detroit he'll have a downgrade in talent on his wings. Given all of our cap space, I'd have no problem going an extra $2.25M and getting Danault instead. Now I'll let the Suter love echo chamber continue...
- Kooleus

He certainly will have to prove himself, but I disagree with the money he received, seems high?

Barely 53% faceoffs on his career makes him one of the best? I'd double check into that compared to other players around the league. Also at 5.5 mil, i'm taking Suter all day, not worth that price for a 45 point guy that's slightly over 50% in faceoffs. Hope he works out for you guys though.