Entering 4th season with Wild, Suter determined to live up to massive contract

After three years with the Minnesota Wild, Ryan Suter is demanding more of himself than ever.

The 29-year-old defenseman, who's set to make $9 million this season, is ever aware of the 13-year, $98-million contract he signed with the club back in 2012, and has no plans of giving anyone the opportunity to call that wasted money.

Suter told Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press:

I want to help the team; I want to win. The reason I came here is because I want to win. (Wild owner) Craig Leipold put a lot of faith in me, and I don't want to let him down. Every pro contract I've signed was under Mr. Leipold (previously in Nashville). He has given me everything I have. And I don't want to let him down. That's how I live my life - there's outside pressure, but that is nothing to the pressure I put on myself to win and to be good.

The Wild have been a playoff team in each of Suter's three seasons in Minnesota, including back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference semifinals. Unfortunately, the Wild ran into the Chicago Blackhawks each time around. Suter knows his team is one of many to be tossed aside by the juggernaut club from Illinois, but feels well positioned

"They're a good team. There's a reason they won the Stanley Cup this season. And two years ago. And five years ago. How many other teams lost to them? We're in a good spot; we just can't take a step back. If we keep progressing the way we are, we're going to be fine."

Suter has led the NHL in total ice time in each of his first three seasons with the Wild, missing only five total games while earning a nod as a Norris Trophy finalist in 2013.