(Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)
After the Stars were eliminated by the Oilers in the 2024 Western Conference Finals, Joe Pavelski announced he didn’t plan on playing the 2024-25 season. Today, the Stars bought out Ryan Suter with one year left on his contract. The buy out saves the Stars $1.4 million in cap space. With these two Playoff liabilities gone from the roster, it helps the Stars.
Suter being bought out was a long time coming for most Stars fans. In three years, Suter’s popularity with the Stars was very low, unlike Pavelski, who was a 2022 All-Star and part of Dallas’ 2020 Stanley Cup roster. The two are close friends.
Both Pavelski and Suter each recorded 4 points in the 2024 Playoffs. Suter’s last game in Dallas was a sign it could be his last. In Game 6 of the Conference Finals against the Oilers, Suter had an ice time of 6:16 and has 2 PIM which the penalty resulted in an Oilers powerplay goal.
After being bought out of his contract by the Wild, Suter signed a four-year deal with the Stars prior to the 2021-22 season. Suter’s defensive errors and lack of offense didn’t help the Stars. In three seasons in Dallas, Suter never missed a game. Suter played all 82 games all three seasons and every Stars Playoff game from 2022-2024. Combined, Suter played 291 all-time games in Victory Green.
In 246 regular season games with Dallas, Suter totaled 74 (12G, 62A). In 45 Stars Playoff games, Suter totaled 13 points (1G, 12A).
One of Suter’s worst moments in Dallas came in Game 2 of the 2023 Western Conference Finals against the Golden Knights. With the Stars up 2-1 late in the third period, Suter had a turnover which resulted in Vegas tying the game and winning the game in overtime.
In Game 4 against the Golden Knights in the same series, Daryl “Razor” Reaugh had criticism when Vegas scored a goal with Suter on the Ice. “Bad things are happening when Ryan Suter is on the ice,” Reaugh said.
Suter will turn 40 years old in January. At his age and now being bought of of two contracts, it’s unsure if Suter will be signed.
With Suter bought out, this could lead to a chance for Alexander Petrovic to get more playing time in the NHL. Defenseman Chris Tanev is a key free agent on the Stars roster.
Leave a Reply