StaTuesday: Suter's playmaking stands out for Wild

Published

Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter isn't getting the awards buzz he usually does this time of year, but the veteran blue liner is quietly putting together a career season.

Suter leads all NHL defensemen in average ice time at 26:49 per game, and is on pace for career highs across the board.

Suter has 49 points on the season, just two away from his career high of 51 with nine games to go.

Suter still isn't scoring much -- he has six goals, including one on the power play -- but his puck-moving abilities have stood out. He matched another career high after notching his 43rd assist of the season Monday in a loss to the Los Angeles Kings.






























































































































































































Player Team GP G A PPA
John Klingberg Stars 73 7 52 21
Erik Karlsson Senators 66 8 48 13
Drew Doughty Kings 73 9 45 15
Brent Burns Sharks 72 10 45 18
John Carlson Capitals 72 14 45 23
Ryan Suter Wild 73 6 43 21
Keith Yandle Panthers 70 6 41 16
Shayne Gostisbehere Flyers 69 12 41 21
Victor Hedman Lightning 67 12 40 20
Jake Gardiner Maple Leafs 72 4 39 10



Some of that offensive production is down to his increased presence on the Wild's power play. Suter has 21 power-play assists this season, his best mark since leaving the Nashville Predators in 2012, one off his career high and fifth amongst NHL defensemen.

It's hard to tie that number to any particular uptick in the Wild's power-play numbers. Minnesota currently sits near the league average at 20.5 percent.

Suter's average ice time is significant as well: He averages 27.1 shifts per game, more than three shifts and a full 60 spots off the league lead, yet leads all skaters in average ice time.



















































































































































Player


 Team TOI/GP Shifts/GP

Ryan Suter


 Wild 26:49 27.1

Drew Doughty


 Kings 26:43 30.7

Erik Karlsson


 Senators 26:33 30.3

Rasmus Ristolainen


 Sabres 26:31 28.9

Victor Hedman


 Lighning 25:56 27.4

Alex Pietrangelo


 Blues 25:36 27.9

Kris Letang


 Penguins 25:22 29.9

Brent Burns


 Sharks 25:19 28.0

John Carlson


 Capitals 25:01 26.8

Mark Giordano


 Flames 24:49 28.1



And while Suter remains the leader of Minnesota's defensive corps, he isn't shouldering an excessive percentage of the load either.

Suter's usual defensive partner Jared Spurgeon -- currently out with a hamstring injury -- ranks second on the team at 24:33, followed by Matt Dumba at 23:28 and Jonas Brodin at 21:20.