08/12/2023 – CanucksBanter

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

August 12, 2023

Yesterday, the NHL Network unveiled its Top 50 prospects for 2023-24, and the Vancouver Canucks had none, not even Tom Willander ranked.

Is the failure of the NHL Network to rank any of the Vancouver Canucks prospects in the Top 10, or even the Top 50, a blatant oversight …. or justified?

I am biased, but I believe that with 32 teams in the NHL and Willander being the 11th pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Vancouver deserved their top pick to be in the Top 50.

Once again, the NHL Network continues to be a USA based network in all things NHL, without apology.

I wonder what a similar poll by Sportsnet.ca and/or TSN would have in their Top 50?

Tom Willander, 11th overall pick of the Vancouver Canucks. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Just saying…

Source: nhl.com

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

August 12, 2023

Pius Suter #24 of the Detroit Red Wings skates around the net with the puck against the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on April 10, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. Dallas defeated Detroit 6-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced on Friday that the Canucks have agreed to terms with forward Pius Suter on a two-year contract with a $1.6M AAV.

“Bringing in Pius for the next couple of years really helps us strengthen our centre ice position,” said Allvin.

“Adding a player who has scored 43 goals the past three seasons will be a boost for us up front and he will also add to our penalty killing unit as well. His flexibility to be able to play down the middle or on the wing will give Toc more options when putting together his forward lines.”
Canucks Press Release

As for the reaction of Suter to the comments of Patrik Allvin on his versatility and usage on the team:

Suter echoed the sentiments of the General Manager, noting that he’s ready to go with just over a month remaining before camp opens.

“I can play any of the three positions. I have in the past, all three of them, sometimes in the same game. So, we’ll see how it goes, and I’ve just got to show what I can bring to the table in training camp.”
From: ‘Suter Ready to Capitalize on Versatility with Canucks’
by Kate Pettersen @CanucksReporter / Vancouver Canucks

History

Pius Suter was an undrafted forward signed by the Chicago Blackhawks on July 16, 2020.
He had 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 2020-21, fourth on the Blackhawks and tied with Nils Hoglander of the Vancouver Canucks for sixth among NHL rookies.
Suter remained in his native Switzerland with the NHL season delayed due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. He was loaned to GC Kusnacht of the Swiss League, the second-highest professional league in the country, and after six games joined ZSC of the National League, the top league in Switzerland. He was recalled by the Blackhawks on Dec. 20.
Suter made his NHL debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 13, 2021.
He scored his first NHL goal and had his first NHL hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 24, 2021. He’s the second Blackhawks player to score his first three NHL goals in one game (Bill Kendall on Dec. 17, 1933).
With Detroit in 2021-22, he played in 82 games and registered 36 points ( 15 goals and 21 assists).
Last season, in 79 games, he earned 24 points (14 goals and 10 assists).
In 2022.23 he collected 39 hits, 37 blocked shots, ranked fourth in faceoff percentage (46.8%) among Detroit players with at least 50 faceoffs taken.
The 5’11”, 179-pound forward has compiled 87 points (43-44-87) and 42 penalty minutes, in 216 career regular season NHL games between Detroit and Chicago.
A native of Zurich, Switzerland, Suter previously played six seasons for ZSC Lions of the Swiss A League where he registered 173 points (83-90-173) in 216 regular season games and 16 points (8-8-16) in 28 playoff games.
Suter played for Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League from 2013-15. He scored 24 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 66 games to help the Storm win the OHL championship in 2013-14. He returned to Switzerland in 2015-16.
Suter has also played for Switzerland at the 2017 IIHF World Championship and the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, where he had a hat trick against South Korea.