Zac Dalpe's injury means Brett Sutter will be on the Canes' three-game road trip to Boston, St. Louis and Winnipeg. And while Sutter grew up around the NHL and NHL games, there's something special to putting on the sweater and playing.
"Absolutely," Sutter said today. "My dad told me the first time I ever got called up that if I wasn't nervous I wasn't ready. I still get nervous every time I get called up.
"That's the way I like it. It's good to be excited to be here."
Sutter, 24, is the son of Darryl Sutter and the cousin of the Canes' Brandon Sutter. Traded from the Calgary Flames to the Canes last November, Sutter played one game for the Canes last season and has 19 games of NHL experience.
Sutter had a strong training camp with the Canes and has been named the captain of the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). He was recalled today to replace Dalpe, who has a lower-body injury.
"These guys up here, their decision-making is one step quicker," Sutter said. "There's a fine line between the NHL and American League. The guys in the American League are working hard, but up here is the real deal, so when you get up here you need to learn as quick as you can. There's no time to ease into it."
Speaking of pregame nervousness, Sutter's first game will be in Boston, against the Bruins, who figure to still be seething a little over that 3-2 loss to the Canes last week.
"I played there once before and we got smoked when I played for Calgary," Sutter said, smiling. "I'm looking forward to getting back there and playing a good game tomorrow."
"I just want to keep it simple, play an energetic game and be a reliable player. I like to play a physical game, be a little bit greasy, go to the net, put pucks there and create some chances, but be good in my own end, as well."
Sutter will play left wing on Tim Brent's line opposite Anthony Stewart. Canes coach Paul Maurice said other than Sutter, there would be no lineup changes for the Bruins. Cam Ward will start in goal.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Work Ethic
Mon, 10/17/2011 - 21:09 — CanarseIf Rod was impressed you can bet that Sutter brought his lunch pail.
This makes a lot more sense than Dalpe on the fourth line. A guy who grinds and kills penalties will be welcome. There is no point in bringing up any player for the fourth line that has defensive issues.
The essential question has to be what are they going to put on the uniforms? Bra. Sutter and Bre. Sutter? j/k...Hopefully they just have two guys with Sutter on their back.
It makes more sense than
Mon, 10/17/2011 - 19:24 — ctillIt makes more sense than calling up Bowman or Boychuk just to play 5 minutes a game.
Special Teams
Mon, 10/17/2011 - 20:37 — sittler27Lets not forget that the first 5 games were somewhat unusal in that the Canes had almost 6 penalties per game and almost as many PP's. Dalpe does neither. That had an impact on his ice time. I'm also convinced that this injury isn't entirely new but an existing situation that got worse. Not enough to keep him out of the lineup the past few games but enough that he wasn't at full speed.
Sutter can kill penalties and he likes the tough going so he may see more minutes against Boston. Hope springs enternal. Coaches have atleast given lip service that the plan is to give the 4th line more ice time than last year since they have deeper talent. We'll see.
Best all around game
Mon, 10/17/2011 - 17:15 — sittler27I was talking with Robert Kron and Rod before the season and they both surprised me when they said that Brett had impressed them more than any of the other of the young forwards in preseason. They thought he had what they called the most "complete" game of any of them. Not as flashy or offensively gifted but strong on the puck, solid in his own zone, hockey smarts, toughness and hard to play against. I can see a scenario where this could be his break and he establishes himself as the perfect 4th line winger. I still think that if you are going to keep Dalpe on the big team roster he has to be in the top 9 ( maybe even top 6).... his strength is as an offensive forward. If that role is not there he is better served being in Charlotte until it is available.
Brett Sutter
Mon, 10/17/2011 - 22:24 — abramsdougIt seems to me that Rod Brind'Amour seems to be having an influence on the direction of the team and in a positive way. His comments about Brett Sutter strike me as insightful and accurate. Brett Sutter comes to play; and really doesn't have an area of his game, where I see him play and think to myself, "wow, he'd be really, really good if he worked on..."
It looks to me as if the Hurricanes are now committed to having a fourth line that kills penalties and provides some sandpaper with a scoring threat. Brent is wonderful in his role with the Hurricanes. I think Stewart ought to be on the third line, but on the fourth line he can add his brand of size, physicality, and speed. Add Brett Sutter to the fourth line and it is a line that has speed, size, and a tough streak. Again, as you have said previously, it makes no sense to play this kind of fourth line five minutes a game. Perhaps if the Hurricanes start taking fewer penalties, the fourth line can become more integral to the team and can log more like ten minutes a game.