What about Sutter?

[npv708]

You know, we, as fans, have been clamoring for a few different players to get a chance with Geno/Neal's line.

The list this year includes:
Jeffrey, Boychuk, Bennett, Kennedy, Cooke, Tangradi.

I was thinking about it after the Habs game. I really think Sutter has stepped up in Geno's absence and has played some solid games for the Pens. I don't believe Cooke is a long-term solution on that line, although he seems more than serviceable now. The one thing this team has a wealth of is centers.

What about trying Sutter centering Geno and Neal? I think Sutter Neal and Geno could be a pretty forceful line, with either DJ or Vitale taking Sutter's place on the third line, depending on what you want for that line.

I think this would be a much stronger lineup:
Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Neal - Sutter - Malkin
Cooke - Jeffrey - Kennedy
Adams - Vitale - Glass

I know, we've heard Geno won't work on the wings, but why the heck not try it now.

[pcm]

I'm all for putting Sutter or DJ on Malkin's wing, and letting the other play 3rd line center. It adds a bit of defensive responsibility to that line, gives them an improved faceoff man, and both have shown a knack for scoring big goals.

[DontToewsMeBro]

Regardless, Sutter wasn't exactly happy in Carolina with his 3rd line role. If he doesn't play in the top 6 eventually, we might see another Jordan Staal situation develop.

[columbia]

Is that true about Sutter not being satisfied in CAR?

[wondermoose]

Is that true about Sutter not being satisfied in CAR?

Not remotely. He was an assistant captain and loved everything about that team, so... no clue what DontToewsMe is talking about.

[MRandall25]

Is that true about Sutter not being satisfied in CAR?

Not remotely. He was an assistant captain and loved everything about that team, so... no clue what DontToewsMe is talking about.

Sutter was quoted as saying he wished he would've got more PP time/offensive opportunities.

[legame]

Baby steps.

[Gaucho]

Oh, I thought I'd find some cool trade ideas here.

[RxBandit66]

Sutter is a guy who could score between 20 and 30 on Geno or Sid's line, and that's the type of player they need. Not another superstar, but a big body who is defensively responsible. His RH shot helps too.

Sutter could move there, put Cooke back to where he belongs, use DJ as the third line center and replace TK with a bruiser who can score just a little, and you've got a great top 9. Too bad they didn't get Prust instead of Glass:

Kunitz-Sid-Duper
Sutter-Geno-Neal
Cooke-Jeffrey-Prust
Adams-Vitale-Whoever

[CERV96]

The only thing I remember about Sutter not being happy in Carolina was that he did not get any power play time. So in pittsburgh he gets 30 seconds as opposed to .00 in Carolina.

Again though at this current time the team does not need to address the top 6. That does not seem to be the issue right now with the current roster.

[shmenguin]

Uh yeah...prust is really good value at 2.5 mill.

And he doesn't have a stupid face either.

[Gaucho]

Sutter is a guy who could score between 20 and 30 on Geno or Sid's line, and that's the type of player they need.

r

No, he is in fact exactly where they need him right now.

[SoupOrSam]

Sutter is here to shut down other top lines. ...and that he is doing. The complaining about lack of defense and being scored on would be hilarious should it happen.

[itissteeltime]

We're #1 in the NHL in goals scored.

[shmenguin]

Sutter is a guy who could score between 20 and 30 on Geno or Sid's line, and that's the type of player they need.

r

No, he is in fact exactly where they need him right now.

Scoring 30 is impossible with no top PP time. Even 20 is unlikely.

[Penspal]

Sutter is a guy who could score between 20 and 30 on Geno or Sid's line, and that's the type of player they need.

r

No, he is in fact exactly where they need him right now.

Scoring 30 is impossible with no top PP time. Even 20 is unlikely.

Pascal scored over 20 last year and none were PPlay, but I agree, its unlikely (unless your playing with Sid)

[shmenguin]

Sutter is a guy who could score between 20 and 30 on Geno or Sid's line, and that's the type of player they need.

r

No, he is in fact exactly where they need him right now.

Scoring 30 is impossible with no top PP time. Even 20 is unlikely.

Pascal scored over 20 last year and none were PPlay

exactly - and he was playing out of his mind. neal barely even scored 20 ES goals last year.

[mikey287]

If Sutter moves up, the top two lines have to play 55 minutes per night...

[Henry Hank]

We actually have a pretty good two-way forward who is a perfect fit as a third line center. I know, let's move him up to a scoring line! Three and a half goals a game just isn't enough.

[RxBandit66]

Well, Cooke is miscast on the second line, so I was just responding to the OP's remarks about trying Sutter there, and all I said was that given more power play time and a scoring role, he could top out at 20-30 goals.

Bylsma is obviously searching for answers there. Geno has played well in the past with the likes of Tank, Talbot, and Sykora on his wing, so it does not have to be a superstar in that spot. But taking Cooke, or Sutter, off the third line makes team weaker.

All I was saying is that Sutter could handle playing with the superstars and not miss a beat. I wasn't suggesting they do it.

[DelPen]

Shero needs to make an investment in Sutter and find him the correct wings. Sutter as a righty prefers his shooter on the LW to make forehand passes, not the RW like Staal who was a lefty which is why Kennedy is not meshing well at all with him.

I like Jeffrey on that LW spot, just need a grinder RW to replace Kennedy, Dupuis would look really good if we add a top 6 forward, Cooke would be adequate but I think he found a niche with Malkin.

Chad Larose would round out the third line nicely, Kennedy might be able to fit top 6 with Jordan Staal again. Almost seems like an even swap and would help the team and Sutter.

[mikey287]

If you hate Kennedy, you'll despise Larose...

[Gaucho]

As soon as a 3rd line player pots more than 5 goals, some people want to move them to the Top 2 lines. That is extra-insane in Sutter's case.

[ron_duguays_hair]

Kunitz - Crosby - Bennet (Scoring Line #1)
Neal - Sutter - Malkin (Scoring Line #2 Sutter provides the missing defense on that line)
Cooke - Steve Ott - Glass (Legitmate Checking line)
Adams/Kostopolis - Vitale/Adams - Dupuis (Legitimate Shutdown line)

Cup imminent.

[Gaucho]

Kunitz - Crosby - Bennet (Scoring Line #1)
Neal - Sutter - Malkin (Scoring Line #2 Sutter provides the missing defense on that line)
Cooke - Steve Ott - Glass (Legitmate Checking line)
Adams/Kostopolis - Vitale/Adams - Dupuis (Legitimate Shutdown line)

Cup imminent.

I don't even...