NHL Trade Speculation: 5 Potential Destinations for Ryan Suter

With the recent long-term, big-deal signing of perennial Vezina candidate Pekka Rinne, the Nashville Predators' next goal will be to sign star defenceman Ryan Suter to an extension before he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2011-12 season.

Suter and Preds captain Shea Weber are each in the last year of their contracts with the team, and with Weber expected to walk at the end of his deal and Suter expected to ask for plenty of dough, the Preds may try to move Suter and at least get some help up front offensively and get some prospects back for their inability to re-sign Suter.

Several teams could potentially court the services of Suter this season, and any team to get him would be lucky to have him.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

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Colorado Avalanche

Although the Colorado Avalanche had a fantastic start to the season, they have tailed off and tailed off quickly. The Avs went from the top of the Western Conference and have plummeted to 12th largely in part to a 2-7-1 record over their last 10 games played. 

One of the largest contributors to the Avs' slide is their defense, or lack thereof. The Avs are among the league's worst with minus-14 goal differential, and have a team goals against average of 3.40, another league worst. Despite allowing an average of 28.5 shots a game (sixth in the NHL), the Avs are having big issues keeping the puck out of their own end. 

With multiple defensemen that would be in the bottom D pairing on the league's elite teams, the Avs could desperately use the services of Ryan Suter. Suter already is posting a plus-14—just second in defensemen—and four goals and 14 points this season. Suter could not only contribute physically and in the Avs' D-zone, but he also contributes on the score sheet. The Avs need offensive production from the back end and Suter can provide them with that.

Now in order for the Avs or any team, for that matter, to acquire Suter, they will have to give up a lot to get him, but it will be worth it for the future and betterment of the franchise.

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders are among the worst in all of the major defensive statistical categories, whether it be their minus-21, 3.33 GAA or 31.8 shots allowed per game. The Islanders have struggled not only this season, but for several years and are sitting in the basement of the Eastern Conference with just 13 points on the year.

The Islanders attempted to add some experience to their blue line with the addition of Steve Staios to play alongside captain Mark Streit, but other than their top pair, they really don't have any elite defensemen. Ryan Suter would immediately become the Islanders' best defenseman and would be the best thing to happen to the Isles since the drafting of John Tavares.

Now by no means would Suter cure all of the Isles' woes, but he would provide them with something they haven't had in years—a force on the blue line. 

Nashville probably doesn't want to make trade partners with the Isles unless what went back included the Isles' first-round pick this year, but Garth Snow and the New York Islanders could be willing to make big change if they could get Suter long-term.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes may possibly have made the biggest bust signing of the 2011 offseason in acquiring the talent (or lack thereof) of Tomas Kaberle. Kaberle has had an awful season and the Hurricanes are desperately trying to get rid of him. One man the 'Canes would love to have the services of is Ryan Suter.

The 'Canes are allowing too much penetration in their own end and it is a big contributing factor to their 14th-place standing in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes are allowing 32 shots a game and are struggling to even get the puck out of their own end. 

Ryan Suter would provide the 'Canes with not only a smart breakout man, but also a player who can carry the puck and be responsible in doing so. Suter's menacing physical game would also allow the Hurricanes' other players more space on the ice to offensively contribute and help Carolina skate away with more W's as opposed to being on the wrong side of the wins column. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

Whenever there is a big name floating around the rumor mill, the Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brian Burke will forever be thrown in as courters. Of the teams mentioned, the Leafs have the most to give in terms of return for the Predators, and the Leafs could use Suter as a big difference-maker in their playoff push this season.

The Leafs defense is pretty stacked right now, but with an oft-injured Mike Komisarek who has not played to his worth thus far in his contract with the Leafs and a lack of a more physical game (other than Dion Phaneuf), the Leafs still have room to improve. The Leafs are struggling to keep the puck out of their own net, especially with goaltender James Reimer on the shelf for an indefinite period of time, and can use any help available to keep the puck out of their end. 

The Leafs don't need Ryan Suter to win, but they would be a force to be reckoned with if they had him and it would help the Leafs to become a real Cup contender.

Nashville Predators

Of course, the No. 1 destination for Ryan Suter would be to re-sign and stay with the Nashville Predators. Suter was drafted in 2003 by the Preds and has played there his entire career. If by some miracle the Preds are able to keep Shea Weber and Ryan Suter for a long period of time to play in front of Pekka Rinne, perhaps all is not lost for the Preds' future. 

The Predators are among the better defensive teams in the NHL, but do struggle offensively. They don't have a star player up front and trading Suter could provide them with that asset. Unfortunately for the Preds, losing Suter for an offensive player could prove a huge mistake if Weber walks at the end of the season and the Preds are left without a defensive core.

Ryan Suter is a huge reason as to why the Predators are consistently in the playoffs. Since Suter has been with Nashville, the Preds have missed the playoffs just twice. If the Predators can get Suter to re-sign it could be the best possible destination for Suter to play in.