NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Ryan Suter has more than a few superlatives working in his favor heading into the NHL Entry Draft.
Best defenseman.
Highest-rated American.
Rapidly rising stock.
But perhaps the most influential factor in making Suter a top-five pick is his bloodlines. He is the nephew of Gary Suter, a sturdy, two-way defenseman in the NHL for 17 years and a U.S. Olympian, and the son of Bob Suter, another former U.S. Olympian who was a member of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team.
"Obviously, I've heard the most comparisons to my uncle over the years," Ryan Suter said. "But I've never had a problem with that. I loved the way he played and I loved to watch him to see how he would do things. My goal is to play in the NHL the way he did."
Suter is taking the fast track to get there.
Midway through the past season, he was ranked No. 10 among North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau. But he ascended to No. 7 on that list and, perhaps more significant, was rated No. 5 among all draft-eligible players by the prestigious panel surveyed by The Hockey News.
He is 6 feet 1, 183 pounds, has speed, skill, solid positioning sense and a mean streak reminiscent of his uncle, who gained infamy north of the border for his hit from behind on Wayne Gretzky in the 1991 Canada Cup tournament.
Suter said he places such emphasis on being a complete defenseman that he struggles to describe his style.
"I'm an offensively ... defensively ... good defenseman. Is that good?" he said with a laugh. "I feel like I'm strong at both ends and on all special teams."
The Penguins pick third and are unlikely to take Suter unless they trade down a spot or two. But they have selected defensemen in the first round of two of their past three drafts -- Brooks Orpik in 2000 and Ryan Whitney last year -- after taking only one in the previous 12 drafts.
And they are fond of Suter.
"He could be, potentially, the best defenseman in the draft because of what he brings," head scout Greg Malone said. "He's a very skilled hockey player who can move the puck, he defends the rush very well, and he's got a lot of bite to his game."
Suter's rise to prominence came via an unusual path.
He joined USA Hockey's national team two years ago and committed himself full time while continuing his high school education in Ann Arbor, Mich. He played for the under-18 team this past season and posted nine goals, 22 assists and 136 penalty minutes in 51 games. More impressive to scouts was his steady showing for the fourth-place U.S. team at the World Junior Championships this past winter, when he had two goals and an assist in seven games.
Next season, he is signed to play NCAA Division I hockey with the University of Wisconsin under Coach Mike Eaves, a former Penguins assistant.
"It's been a great situation for me to be with USA Hockey all the time, because I can work out on the ice five days a week and still get my schooling done," Suter said. "Plus, there's so much more here, with the strength and conditioning programs and the great coaches. I feel like this has helped my game a lot, especially in the past few months."
Enough, he feels, that he can contribute to an NHL team soon, if not immediately. Given that his uncle won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 1986, just two years after the Calgary Flames drafted him, that sentiment probably should not be dismissed.
"From my first game this season to my last, I just feel I'm so much of a better player, so much more confident," Suter said. "I don't see any reason why I can't keep going like that."
Dejan Kovacevic can be reached at dkovacevic@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1938.
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