"Canucks Didn't Like Suter's Number" - Vancouver Canucks Likely To Lose Pius Suter In Free-Agency, Per Report

While the Vancouver Canucks continue to focus on their push towards a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there could be plenty of change to the roster this summer, with the team in need of some help down the middle.

With Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil out with injuries, Pius Suter has stepped up to play that first line center role for the Canucks with contract talks looming between his camp and the club.

During an appearance on Donnie & Dhali on Tuesday morning, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman discussed Pius Suter and his future in Vancouver with his contract expiring this summer.

Friedman shared that while the Canucks are searching for some depth down the middle this summer, the solution may be in-house with Pius Suter, who's done a solid job this season setting career-highs in goals, assists and points.

He went on to add that the team didn't like what dollar figure Suter was seeking during contract talks last month leading up to the NHL's trade deadline and that they might have to look at that again and get a deal done.

Suter, 28, has appeared in 72 games this season for the Vancouver Canucks where he's registered 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists), 12 penalty minutes and is a plus-four.

With the way Suter has been playing, he's certainly earned himself a big raise this summer compared to the $1.6 million USD he's earning on his current contract and with the NHL's salary cap rising, the Vancouver Canucks can more than afford a bump in pay for the Zurich native, even if it's $2.5-$2.75 million more than what he's making this season.

Hypothetically, if the Vancouver Canucks were to end up not re-signing Pius Suter this summer and planned on heading into the 2025-26 season with Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil as 1C and 2C, respectively, here are some options for Patrik Allvin to consider on the free agent market:

- Yanni Gourde
- Christian Dvorak
- Robby Fabbri
- Alex Iafallo
- Luke Kunin
- Jack Roslovic

It's going to be a busy off-season in Vancouver, there's no question about that, but hopefully, before we get to that point, the Canucks can finish the season strong and get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.