Former Vancouver Canucks center invited for Oilers PTO.

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Ryan Hall
August 9, 2023 (1:30)

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Across the NHL, the Sutter name carries immense weight when it comes to hockey pedigree and nostalgia, given the prominence of the six brothers who have graced the league over the years.

Naturally, fans have eagerly awaited the emergence of their descendants, hoping they would follow in the footsteps of their forebears and excel in the game they love just as much.

Brandon Sutter, the son of former NHLer Brent Sutter, bore the weight of high expectations when he was selected 11th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2007 entry draft. He embarked on his NHL journey in 2008, playing fifty games for the Hurricanes before spending three more seasons there, eventually moving on to two other organizations.

Unfortunately, despite the lofty expectations, Sutter's career was marred by numerous injuries, preventing him from realizing the potential that many had envisioned for him. Fast forward to the present day in 2023, where, as reported by Bob Stauffer, the Oilers have extended a Professional Try-Out (PTO) offer to him, in an attempt to gauge whether he still possesses the ability to contribute to the game.

As is often the case with PTOs, Sutter's skillset could prove valuable for the Oilers if he manages to perform as the team hopes. During the 2020-2021 season, he managed to tally nine goals and 12 points in 43 games while playing for the Vancouver Canucks.

Given the financial constraints faced by the Oilers in terms of the salary cap, the addition of Sutter as a depth player in the bottom six would align well with the team's needs. Furthermore, his potential acquisition would likely come at a favourable cost, considering his willingness to accept a league-minimum friendly deal.

Only time will reveal whether Sutter can fulfill his aspirations of returning to the NHL and revitalizing his career with the Oilers.