Brandon Sutter

Injuries again limited Sutter in 2019-20, as the veteran center appeared in just 44 games for the Canucks. His production rebounded to 17 points, but the lingering effects of upper-body and groin injuries limited his effectiveness. Sutter, 31, isn't likely to return to a consistent 30-point pace in his career. Instead, he'll be battling with younger players for bottom-six minutes in 2020-21. The 11th overall pick from 2007 still has some on-ice value for his strong defense, and that may be enough to keep him in the lineup, but fantasy managers shouldn't count on much scoring from Sutter going forward.

Last season, the 30-year-old center appeared in 26 contests and finished with four goals and two assists for six points. Injuries played a role in Sutter's disappointing campaign, with the forward missing time due to a separated shoulder before having his season cut short after suffering a sports hernia. At this point there's not much here from a fantasy perspective and he can safely be avoided in drafts this fall.

The Canucks believe Sutter can contribute more on offense, but the 29-year-old has scored 20 goals just twice and 40 points once in his 10-year career. He's a smart, versatile, two-way player, but only on the goal-starved Canucks would he be considered a top-six option. He scored 11 goals in 61 games last year and played just 13 minutes on the power play the entire season. Even if Sutter is placed in more offensive situations, his lack of skill and offensive talent puts a hard cap on his production and the Canucks don't have enough elite wingers to elevate his offense. Sutter will get his chances anyway, but the ceiling is low so his fantasy value is relatively limited.

Sutter played his first full season with the Canucks in 2016-17, potting 17 goals and contributing on special teams. The 28-year-old isn't known for being an elite point producer, but he’s a talented two-way center who possesses a very lethal and accurate shot. His awful minus-20 rating this past year is more reflective of the team’s overall struggles, so look for him to bounce back in 2017-18. Sutter has seen quality power-play time since arriving in Vancouver, though his production hasn't been great, so it’s possible he loses his spot to newcomer Sam Gagner or a young prospect. Sutter is still capable of being a 20-goal scorer, and he should have another decent season on a Vancouver squad that didn't make any drastic changes this offseason.

Sutter appeared in only 20 games in an injury-riddled 2015-16 campaign, managing five goals and nine points. While the two-way center couldn’t stay healthy in his first year in Vancouver, he had only missed one game in the previous five seasons and enters a new season as the Canucks’ second-line center. Sutter has never been a big point producer or fantasy star, but he managed 21 goals in his final year with Pittsburgh and could land around there if he plays a full year in Vancouver’s top six. Sutter is more valuable to his team than he is to fantasy owners, but he could post a decent goal total if he can stay healthy this year.

The Canucks acquired Sutter in an offseason trade and immediately signed him to a five-year contract that'll lock him in as their second-line center. What they'll get out of that remains very much in question; Sutter is certainly a very good NHL player, an accomplished penalty killer and clutch performer, but he lacks the offensive upside you expect from a top-six player, and since he's not likely to see much ice time with the Sedin brothers, his fantasy appeal remains quite limited even in leagues where his shorthanded contributions are rewarded. More than likely, what you see here is what you get.

Sutter likely means more to the Penguins than he does to fantasy owners. The third-line center and occasional top-six forward accumulated 26 points (13G, 13A) in 81 games last year. He served as one of Pittsburgh's most dependable penalty killers, averaging 2:18 per game on the PK while picking up five short-handed points. His strong post-season boosts his potential as a trade candidate, but the 25-year-old has never scored more than 40 points in parts of six NHL seasons.

A quiet playoff run -- two goals and two points in 15 games -- showed that he's no Jordan Staal, but the 24-year-old produced in spurts during the regular season. Sutter netted 11 goals and eight assists in 48 games, including five game-winners. The third-line center proved to be one of the team's streakiest offensive producers. It would be unwise to count on a player averages less than a point every two games, but he has shown a penchant for scoring the big goal. He did little with the power-play time Pittsburgh gave him, but acquitted himself well killing penalties. Expect more of the same in 2013-14.

He's no Jordan Staal, but fantasy owners may still find some value in the recently-acquired Sutter. The 23-year old figures to fill the role of third-line center quite nicely. He still has upside and it wouldn't be surprising to see him reach between 20 and 25 goals. Sutter will be counted on for his penalty-killing abilities, especially with the departure of Staal. He reached 40 points in 72 games as a 21-year old in 2008-09 and could match that number with the Pens. He also blocked 85 shots last year for the Hurricanes, a high total but one that adds a bit of injury risk to his game.

One of the brightest forwards in Carolina's system is Sutter, who signed a contract to remain with the club for at least three more seasons. His point totals dropped from 40 (21 G, 19 A) in 2009-10, all the way down to 29 (14 G, 15 A) last year, though he did have a plus-13 rating in the most recent campaign, which was far and away the best differential of any Hurricane. The rapid emergence of Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner takes some of the spotlight off Sutter, but he should not be a forgotten man in the fantasy realm on draft day. Expect close to 35-40 points from Sutter if he can log another full season's worth of hockey.

If anything good came out of Carolina's miserable campaign last year it was the team's decision to remove Sutter's training wheels. While the 'Canes were dropping games, Sutter was busy gaining valuable NHL experience. When it was all said and done, the 21-year-old finished with 40 points (21 G, 19 A) in 72 games. For now, this ultra prospect's most appropriate spot is on the second line, but Sutter projects for top-tier status in the coming years.

Sutter is the most hyped ‘Canes prospect not named Zach Boychuk. A first round draft selection in 2007, Sutter should assume a more prominent role in the NHL, even if he doesn’t get to wear a ‘Canes jersey right out of the gate.

Sutter is a terrific prospect, but he probably has no business scouring the Raleigh real estate listings just yet. A full season at Albany would help a lot, as his 6'3", 185 frame needs a lot of filling out before he takes the ice in the NHL. But he will likely be hurried into an NHL role before the year is out.

Have you got a lot of time on your hands? Then Sutter's your guy. The Hurricanes' #1 draft pick in 2007 (#11 overall) is just 18, and stands 6' 3" and just 170 pounds. He has good rink sense and skating ability, but is way too green for most fantasy owners' tastes. He's several years away from the NHL.

Sutter is a kid both blessed and cursed by his bloodlines. He's the son of Brent, one of six brothers who played in the NHL, and has the same sandpaper style that his dad and his uncles played. But how do you live up to the hype of being a part of such a prolific hockey family. Scouts are split on him -- he's either going to be a reliable, serviceable guy who toils on the third line and wreaks havoc wherever he goes OR he blossoms into a second-line player who some day tops out at a point-a-game. It's too bad the kid didn't inherit his mother's ears and nose, though -- he's a Sutter in every respect.