The Chicago Blackhawks wasted no time on their day off by announcing the official signings of Ian Mitchell, Wyatt Kalynuk and free-agent Pius Suter on Thursday morning.
Both Mitchell (three-year entry-level contract worth $925,000 per season) and Kalynuk (two-year entry-level contract worth $925,000 per season) were reported earlier in the season pause, but Suter was only speculated, as he had several teams bidding for his services.
Forward Pius Suter has inked a 1-year contract ($925,000 salary cap hit) that runs through the 2020-21 season!
Last season Suter recorded a league-best and career-high 53 points (30G, 23A) in 50 contests en route to earning Switzerland’s National League-A MVP award. pic.twitter.com/iL8NmwGy4y
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 16, 2020
Suter signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks after an MVP season in Switzerland’s National League with the ZSC Lions, where he led the league in scoring with 53 points (30 goals, 23 assists) in 50 games. He also had five points (two goals, three assists) in three Swiss Cup games. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed forward played both center and left wing with the Lions this past season.
The native of Zurich, Switzerland, played two seasons (2013–15) in North America with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, scoring 96 points (52 goals, 44 assists) in 127 regular season games and scoring 13 points (nine goals, four assists) in 29 playoff games.
Suter is expected to compete for a roster spot during training camp in November following the return to play tournament. Either way, he will prove to be a cost-effective option for Stan Bowman and a team that will be greatly handicapped by the flat salary cap.