Just how many points can we expect from Ryan Suter this season?

The 29-year-old stud rearguard is off to a more than commendable start in Minnesota thus far, posting five points in eight games, or a 0.63 PPG (Points-Per-Game) rate production. Of course, being only little more than three weeks into the campaign, the sample size is not worth giving much consideration as of yet, but it is still worth at least acknowledging that his highest ever PPG clip of his career on the season was 0.58 back in 2011-12; his last season in Nashville.

Suter, at plus-eight is just one behind the leader amongst blueliners (Anton Stralman) and has really spread his wings since leaving the shadow of the hulking Shea Weber in Nashville. In fact, in fantasy circles, he's one offensively robust defenseman who you can count on to avoid injury. Since the lost 2004-2005 season, Suter is only 31 games off Jay Bouwmeester's mark for most games played by a defenseman. In that same span, Suter ranks 10^th among rearguards in assist with 267 helpers and fifth in overall TOI.

There's no doubt Suter has grabbed a strong foothold of the title of 'Best Active American-born Defenseman' in the game today, since predecessors such as Chris Chelios, Brian Rafalski and Brian Leetch have left the NHL since his rookie season.

So who is the beneficiary of being Suter's defensive partner in crime you ask? Look no further than his Young Swedish protégé, Jonas Brodin who has been his primary pairing regular. (Although Brodin picked up a slight knock to the wrist this week, but coach Mike Yeo has disregarded the injury as insignificant). However as a day-to-day poolie, Jared Spurgeon is a nice temporary add; though I repeat temporary! Brodin should be back by next week at the latest.

Ryan Suter's Most Common Defensive Pairings 2014-2015

Even though Brodin isn't exclusively on Suter's side, all of the latter's points have come when paired up with Brodin. Ssee below for Frozen Pools' Line Production Breakdown chart. (It is actually all five points now, so Frozen Pools will updated this to five by the time you read this.)

However, this isn't a new strategy as they've found a ton of offensive chemistry during last year's regular season as they combined for a solid portion of Suter's points on the campaign.

2013-2014- Regular Season Line Combinations: Suter

The pairing really begun to cement themselves as a long term unit during the solid first round series win over Colorado.

2013-2014- Playoff Line Combinations: Suter

In fact, Brodin and Suter's effectiveness together played a large role in the former's recent half-decade long extension. Seeing how Suter is locked up for the next decade bodes well for Brodin owners (in deep leagues). I'm still on the fence whether Brodin is a mandatory own in standard 12-man re-draft leagues.

If Suter continues at his current pace of production, he is slated to finish with a career high 51 points. I peg it at a good bet to at least challenge for and be on the brink of a 50-point pace for the duration of the season, especially if Mikael Granlund can eventually bring something to the man advantage. He's already shown glimpses of high end promise with Zach Parise, which can only bode well for the entire power play unit, with Mikko Koivu very clearly fading from his glory years into somewhat of an oblivion.

(Give Anthony Lancione a follow on Twitter @Anthisdaman)