OTTAWARyan Suters situation of potentially being dealt at the NHL trade deadline next month took an interesting turn on Friday when the Nashville Predators defenseman said he does not want to re-sign before the deadline.
He is unrestricted while fellow coveted teammate Shea Weber is restricted. One of them could be dealt.
The Flyers are among a handful of clubs interested in getting into the mix if that happens.
I feel it would be more of a distraction than anything, Suter said of signing in February. Weve never had a timeline or deadline. Were just focusing on winning. Everything else will take care of itself.
I dont see it being a benefit by hurrying up and trying to get something done. Im a Nashville Predator until July. I will focus on making my team better.
Suters remarks were during the All-Star player scrums with the media.
Nashville general manager David Poile told ESPN.com he has gotten a commitment from ownership to go to the maximum of the salary cap for next season.
NHL
Theyve made a commitment to me and the players and both Ryan and Shea know that, because of the dollars theyre going to be getting and what we need to do to win that Cup, well be spending what is necessary to contend, Poile told ESPN.com.
Of course, no one knows what that amount will be because it has yet to be negotiated as part of the next CBA.
But with regards to Suter and Weber, there is a feeling that both of them will not commit to re-signing until they see what the Predators do at the trade deadline to fortify their chances this seasonnot next.
Suter didnt deny that factors into his decision.
Yeah, part of me feels that way, Suter said. Weve kind of talked and Im just going to go out there and play as hard as I can and help our team win.
He said he speaks monthly with Poile about the organizations long-term philosophy and improving the club to win a Stanley Cup right now.
We have a lot of good players in our room, Suter said. Not saying you got to go out and get a big name guyjust the right piece.
You dont bring someone in who is not going to help you win. So I think the biggest thing is the right piece and hopefully, were positioned to go get that right piece.
Suter credited management for signing goalie Pekka Rinne as an indication things were moving forward.
Signing Pekka, that is a huge statement, he said.
As for rumors of coming to the Flyers if all this does not work out
You hear so much stuff every day, you are going here or here, he said. Its part of the business.
What likely happens now is that Poile will keep Suter and Weber together through the trade deadline unless some club absolutely bowls him over with an offer.
Assuming they remain together, and Suter has not re-signed by the NHL Draft in June, then Poile has no choice but to deal Suter at the draft rather than lose him for nothing.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net