A surprise and a return to Chicago
Today was the deadline for all NHL teams to submit their list of restricted free agents receiving qualifying offers. Players receiving a qualifying offer will remain linked to their team even if a new contract has not been officially signed.
The Chicago Blackhawks made a surprising decision, as all indications are that forward Pius Suter, who impressed in his NHL debut, did not receive a qualifying offer from his GM. Moreover, his agent mentioned that the discussions with Chicago did not lead to anything concrete, so Suter will become a restricted free agent next Wednesday, July 28.
After starting the season in Switzerland, where he had already played for five seasons, the Swiss forward played 55 games with the Blackhawks, collecting 27 points, but mostly 14 goals. The 25-year-old Suter was not making his first trip to North America, having played for the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Junior League from 2013 to 2015.
It remains to be seen if he will work out a deal with another NHL team or return in Europe.
Contract extension for Adam Gaudette.
For his part, forward Adam Gaudette will be back in Chicago next season, having just signed a one-year contract extension worth $997,500. Gaudette, 24, was a fifth-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2015.
On April 12, he was traded from the Canucks to the Blackhawks in exchange for forward Matthew Highmore. He then finished the 2020-21 season in Chicago, with whom he recorded four points in seven games for a combined total of 11 points in 40 games during the season.
