We’ve reached the halfway point in June (the 1st month of the off-season), and there’s only 1 or 2 more NHL games before all 32 teams enter the off-season officially. The Winnipeg Jets continue to weigh their options for the upcoming draft and free agency. The Jets signed their 2nd round pick from the 2024 draft (Alfons Freij) yesterday, and today Elliotte Friedman said it would be very likely that Nikolaj Ehlers will test the open market on “free agency day” July 1st.

After my last Jets free agency article on Matt Duchene, insiders suggested that there was a good chance that Duchene would re-sign with the Stars. Looking around at other free agency options, I discovered a player that would be a sneaky good addition for the Jets, either as a centre or winger depending on his linemates. That player is from Zurich, Switzerland, and his name is Pius Suter.

According to Sportsnet’s “Top 12 UFAs of 2025“, Pius Suter is ranked as the “12th best” free agent. Just like Matt Duchene, there’s no noise or rumours about the Jets having interest in signing Pius Suter yet, but I believe he would be a good top 9 forward addition for the Jets at an affordable price. With an estimated $25 million in cap space this off-season, Suter could be one piece to the puzzle in making the Jets even better in the 2025-26 season. The Vancouver Canucks failed to get “good” offers for Pius Suter and Brock Boeser at the trade deadline, and it now appears that both will be headed to free agency, with the Canucks looking to make some changes after a disappointing season.

Taking a look at the career of the undrafted Swiss forward, Suter spent parts of 6 seasons with Zurich SC of the Swiss-A league before making the move to the NHL. After a season with the Chicago Blackhawks and two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks, the 29-year old is entering free agency at the “peak” of his career. Last season, Suter scored a career high 25 goals and added 21 assists (tied for his career best) for a career high 46 points in 81 games. Suter spent time playing mostly as a centre, but he occasionally would find himself on the wing. That’s important to note when discussing why he would a good fit on the Winnipeg Jets roster.

Suter’s most recent contract could definitely been seen as a “steal”, as the Canucks signed him to a 2 year, $3.2 million deal the last time he was a free agent. The projected contract for Suter this time around free agency is a 4-5 year deal worth anywhere between $4-5 million. Suter’s earned his upcoming “payday”, and with his scoring touch and a 49.3% faceoff percentage, teams will be lining up to try and acquire his services. That being said, why would Pius Suter be a good fit on the Winnipeg Jets roster?

Well, for one reason, he could have some potential chemistry on a 3rd line with a fellow Swiss NHLer Nino Niederreiter. While Suter may not be a fit for the Jets much needed 2nd line centre, Suter could be a versatile forward that switches between the 2nd and 3rd line both at centre and on the wing depending on the lineup situation next season. Adam Lowry will miss the start of the 2025-26 season, so having a player like Suter as the 3rd line centre would be perfect for the Jets to start the season. Something about NHL players from Switzerland has always intrigued me, as I’ve noticed that they mostly all have a good two-way playing style. Swiss hockey (on the international stage) prioritizes skill and making the right play at the right time, something that I noticed that Pius Suter was able to do especially well last season with the Canucks last season. For the right price and term, Kevin Cheveldayoff should be on the phone with Suter’s agent on July 1st, as he would make a great addition to the Jets forward group for the 2025-26 season and beyond.