I have seen Sutter play because I live in Canada and in the Eastern time zone so it's easy to watch Pens games. I'm not defending the trade or one player against the other. Just wanting some perspective on why Pens fans are so excited over this "haul" (and got some good answers already).

If you want to know how I think the majority of Canucks fans feel about the trade, check this out:

http://canucksarmy.com/20...o-much-for-brandon-sutter

I think the one thing you might hear some Vancouver fans say is that they feel that Sutter is a marginally better player in key areas. I think this is why management made the trade. I understand it but don't think it's a good move. At the same time, it's not really going to effect either team overly much. I really do think it's a wash.

EDIT: okay, if the rumour that he's signing for five years at 4.4 million is true, then I'm beginning to not like this trade.
- billcanuck

My biggest take away from the trade (and signing of Fehr, they are hand-in-hand) is the fact the bottom 6 has an identity. I've said this a few times on here, to mixed reviews, but to me this is HUGE. Granted I'm not a huge analytics guy, but did play the game and understand the X's and O's along with the importance of SOME intangibles like chemistry (not to be confused with grit). When I think of a line of Duper - Bonino - Fehr means a fast, skilled type attack and dogged forecheck accompanied with defensive responsibility. When I think of a line of Downie - Sutter - Spaling I think of 3 monkeys (frank)ing a football during a prison riot in the chow hall. Just my 2 cents.

If Sutter was a defensive/FO specialist.... great. Put him w/ 2 similar style wingers and they will excel at something. If he were the physical, pest type do the same. Skilled, finesse type, again, put him with comparable wings. But in reality he's had all these linemate "types" and has never exceled, or even raised his game with any. To me that was were my dislike came from.

Lastly, the Metro, I believe, is an Eastern division comparable to the Pacific in terms of size. From what I've seen of Bonino he can play "bigger" and match up against the Thorntons, Getzlafs, Perrys. Looking forward to him doing the same against the Kreiders, Simmonds, etc...

I have seen Sutter play because I live in Canada and in the Eastern time zone so it's easy to watch Pens games. I'm not defending the trade or one player against the other. Just wanting some perspective on why Pens fans are so excited over this "haul" (and got some good answers already).

If you want to know how I think the majority of Canucks fans feel about the trade, check this out:

http://canucksarmy.com/20...o-much-for-brandon-sutter

I think the one thing you might hear some Vancouver fans say is that they feel that Sutter is a marginally better player in key areas. I think this is why management made the trade. I understand it but don't think it's a good move. At the same time, it's not really going to effect either team overly much. I really do think it's a wash.

EDIT: okay, if the rumour that he's signing for five years at 4.4 million is true, then I'm beginning to not like this trade.
- billcanuck

Like jfkst1 said, when you factor in how much more Sutter makes and the fact that he's probably getting an extension in the mid 4 million range, then it looks even worse.

Bonino has 2 years at 1.9. The slight upgrade in Sutter from Bonino (defense, faceoffs) is not worth that much money. You could even say that Bonino's offense cancels that out completely.

Sutter is honest to god probably one of the weakest players I have ever seen on the puck. If I were Pens management, I would have worked Sutter on nothing but lower/core strength. Stick him with Sid for an offseason. I could almost close my eyes and say Sutter's gonna fall down and lose the puck and he would.

Really hope Sutter works out for you guys as much as I hope Bonino works out for us. But as of right now, Ruth absolutely knocked that trade out of the park, both return wise and asset management by not allowing him to walk for nothing, and also lowering our cap hit allowing us to grab Fehr.

definately cant get much worse than 21 goals, decent faceoff percentage, semi-clutch performer, and threat on the PK. Absolutely terrible nhler...
- ChrisMS

You're right. Silly me and rest of the NHL world. I guess the good ol' eye test AND the advanced stats on Sutter are completely wrong. We just traded away a player on Crosby's skill level and we didn't even know it. Shame on Ruth for getting a good replacement that's not only much cheaper, but better suited for 3C than Sutter will ever be. Also getting the prospect and the 2nd for a third was a terrible waste of assets.

You're right. Silly me and rest of the NHL world. I guess the good ol' eye test AND the advanced stats on Sutter are completely wrong. We just traded away a player on Crosby's skill level and we didn't even know it. Shame on Ruth for getting a good replacement that's not only much cheaper, but better suited for 3C than Sutter will ever be.


- Pens_Burgh

You're right. Silly me and rest of the NHL world. I guess the good ol' eye test AND the advanced stats on Sutter are completely wrong. We just traded away a player on Crosby's skill level and we didn't even know it. Shame on Ruth for getting a good replacement that's not only much cheaper, but better suited for 3C than Sutter will ever be. Also getting the prospect and the 2nd for a third was a terrible waste of assets.


- Pens_Burgh

whispers* he said he liked the trade

whispers* he said he liked the trade
- usethe1-2-2

whispers* #yolo

Do you guys remember that strange day when Sidney Crosby played with Tanner Glass' Jersey?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht1eYbwPPLo

Do you guys remember that strange day when Sidney Crosby played with Tanner Glass' Jersey?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht1eYbwPPLo
- Conse

Blind squirrel...

Sutter is honest to god probably one of the weakest players I have ever seen on the puck. If I were Pens management, I would have worked Sutter on nothing but lower/core strength. Stick him with Sid for an offseason. I could almost close my eyes and say Sutter's gonna fall down and lose the puck and he would.
- Pens_Burgh

That's what I'll never understand. How can anyone watch the Pens and not notice Sutter constantly losing puck battles. He also was noticeably ineffective at passing IMO. These are really basic skill sets that I just don't think he possesses regardless of how hard he tries.

I didn't realize Clendening was still on a two way contract, which is awesome. We won't risk waivers on him this season. Erixon is not though, so what are the chances he is sent down compared to a Scuderi move?

That's what I'll never understand. How can anyone watch the Pens and not notice Sutter constantly losing puck battles. He also was noticeably ineffective at passing IMO. These are really basic skill sets that I just don't think he possesses regardless of how hard he tries.
- jfkst1

Or who he plays with as well.

I thought this was a great blog by Gunner. Very insightful and easy to understand. One of his best IMO. Now Vancouver is overpaying for Sutter's extension. Unbelievable. I'm not trying to convince anyone of Sutter's worth. Vancouver and it's fans will figure it out soon enough. I am simply too giddy with delight that he is gone.

That's what I'll never understand. How can anyone watch the Pens and not notice Sutter constantly losing puck battles. He also was noticeably ineffective at passing IMO. These are really basic skill sets that I just don't think he possesses regardless of how hard he tries.
- jfkst1

I feel like he as a teen growing up he had the "I'm a Sutter" attitude and never felt the need to actually work out or anything. It's almost mind boggling how an NHL player can get blown over by the wind constantly. I think MAF could win more puck battles in his goalie gear for crying out loud.

How awesome would it be if someone made a highlight reel of every single time Sutter either fell or was knocked off the puck?

I feel like he as a teen growing up he had the "I'm a Sutter" attitude and never felt the need to actually work out or anything. It's almost mind boggling how an NHL player can get blown over by the wind constantly. I think MAF could win more puck battles in his goalie gear for crying out loud.

How awesome would it be if someone made a highlight reel of every single time Sutter either fell or was knocked off the puck?
- Pens_Burgh

Give it time

I still don't get the whole "clutch" argument about Sutter......

Give it time

- HopintheCordoba

I've been wondering about it the past few days. I would almost pay for that


Earlier today I tried a few quick searches to dig something up, was somehow unsuccessful. Very surprised there wasn't at least SOMETHING

I still don't get the whole "clutch" argument about Sutter......
- cap1681

They watched the last regular season game against Buffalo and saw him scoring twice, taking us to postseason.

edit: good for us Sutter wasn't bounced around too much that game...

I still don't get the whole "clutch" argument about Sutter......
- cap1681

There is no such thing as clutch in sports. No money players, no big game goalies. If there was, Sutter wouldn't qualify because Dan Boyle doesn't knock a clutch player off the puck in an elimination game.

I find it fantastically interesting to hear the perception of Sutter post-trade. The name implies 'grit'. 'Character'. I heard someone actually say that Sutter 'willed his way' to scoring those 21 goals. "Give a man a reputation as an early riser and he can sleep till noon", Twain said.

I have no idea how I would feel if it happened, I guess at a real low cost I'd feel okay about it, but...

Was the Cooke thing a misinterpretation of Cookes desire to live in Pittsburgh AFTER hockey or is there validity of a possible return to the ice for the Pens?

I have no idea how I would feel if it happened, I guess at a real low cost I'd feel okay about it, but...

Was the Cooke thing a misinterpretation of Cookes desire to live in Pittsburgh AFTER hockey or is there validity of a possible return to the ice for the Pens?
- Doogs

Hopefully the former because the man is not worth a contract anymore.

Hopefully the former because the man is not worth a contract anymore.
- usethe1-2-2

I'd agree. Much rather have a WBS player up making the same amount (minimum) than Cooke. Signing Cooke would only further block our young forwards chances of playing at the big level, exactly like what happened with the D. I think this management knows better.

Ruth hasn't acquired a player over 30 in his tenure here other than Lovejoy has he?

There is no such thing as clutch in sports. No money players, no big game goalies. If there was, Sutter wouldn't qualify because Dan Boyle doesn't knock a clutch player off the puck in an elimination game.

I find it fantastically interesting to hear the perception of Sutter post-trade. The name implies 'grit'. 'Character'. I heard someone actually say that Sutter 'willed his way' to scoring those 21 goals. "Give a man a reputation as an early riser and he can sleep till noon", Twain said.
- Johnny Wrath

Justin Game 7 Williams scores at almost the exact same rate in the playoffs that he does in the regular season. He has more game 7 goals than anyone in history though right? His shooting % is 9.7% in the playoffs to 9.4% in the regular season. A consistent producer. Is it luck or ability to score in game 7's? If it's ability, why wait to score until a game 7 when you have the ability to end it in 6?

Let the fun begin.

I'd agree. Much rather have a WBS player up making the same amount (minimum) than Cooke. Signing Cooke would only further block our young forwards chances of playing at the big level, exactly like what happened with the D. I think this management knows better.

Ruth hasn't acquired a player over 30 in his tenure here other than Lovejoy has he?
- Pens_Burgh

Hoff, Lapierre

I'd agree. Much rather have a WBS player up making the same amount (minimum) than Cooke. Signing Cooke would only further block our young forwards chances of playing at the big level, exactly like what happened with the D. I think this management knows better.

Ruth hasn't acquired a player over 30 in his tenure here other than Lovejoy has he?
- Pens_Burgh

No. But for some reason I feel like Tyler Kennedy may be back on two-way league minimum deal...

Justin Game 7 Williams scores at almost the exact same rate in the playoffs that he does in the regular season. He has more game 7 goals than anyone in history though right? His shooting % is 9.7% in the playoffs to 9.4% in the regular season. A consistent producer. Is it luck or ability to score in game 7's? If it's ability, why wait to score until a game 7 when you have the ability to end it in 6?

Let the fun begin.
- usethe1-2-2

You know what they say, consistency is key.

I didn't realize Clendening was still on a two way contract, which is awesome. We won't risk waivers on him this season. Erixon is not though, so what are the chances he is sent down compared to a Scuderi move?
- usethe1-2-2

If Erixon starts in wbs then waivers only a problem if they try brining him up. My guess is guys who are waiver eligible might start in wbs so the pens don't lose them.. but who knows with scuderi blocking a apot