A day after Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter voiced his disapproval over the team’s new defensive pairings, both he and Wild coach Mike Yeo tried to play down the issue Tuesday.
“We’re obviously on the same page,” Suter told reporters Tuesday. “It’s a story that shouldn’t even be a story. I think the heat of the practice yesterday, I was just saying stuff I probably shouldn’t have said. But at the end of the day, it’s about winning and it’s about what’s going to be best for our team.”
Suter questioned why Yeo placed him with Jonas Brodin, a fellow-left-handed shooter, after both sides thought that it would be better for Suter to play with a righty.
But by Tuesday, his answer was different.
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The move appeared to be working when you look at Suter’s production. After scoring just two goals and tallying 36 assists last season while playing alongside a lefty, Suter has already posted 20 points through the first 22 games this year while playing alongside righty Jared Spurgeon.
The Star Tribune notes that Yeo admitted that he was trying to tick the players off during their practice Monday and both reportedly spoke Tuesday to clear the air.
Suter, Yeo meet and say they've patched up differences. @Russostrib from Chicago: https://t.co/jNc81dSaxA #NHL pic.twitter.com/RdbUkpVfqA
— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) December 1, 2015
Afterwards, according to the Pioneer Press, Yeo said Tuesday that he wasn’t offended by Suter’s comments, but he stuck to his decision – to use Brodin and Suter in the same defensive pairing for now.
Suter was on board with the change Tuesday. As the Wild enter Tuesday night’s game with the Blackhawks they are 1-4-2 in their past seven games.
