Thematic Photographic 74: "Red" v.3.0 - Red Hot (Even if the Team's Not)

---

"Brandon Sutter (C) DOB: 2/14/1989 6'-3" - 183 lb - Shoots: Right"
Raleigh, NC - September 2007 (Click to embiggen)

 Hosted by Written Inc.

---

The name Sutter is hardly new to the NHL. Back in the day, there were six Sutter brothers who did tours with various NHL clubs including Brent, father of The Hurricanes first round draft pick in 2007. Carolina went for the genes in that draft, and despite the fact that the kid can't seem to bulk up his 6' 3" frame (the roster lists him at 183... I think they must've weighed him with his skates on and both pockets full of rocks) he's showing a remarkable amount of moxie for a 20-year-old. In the Canes last three games he's scored their only 2 goals. And he did it centering the fourth line. He's quick, he's got good hands, and great instincts. He's responsible defensively and has very little downside other than a lack of bulk and a shortage of experience. But he played major minutes with the Albany River Rats (the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate) before being called up to fill a roster spot vacated by injury. Now with three of Carolina's top 9 forwards on the shelf including iron man Eric Staal (who had played 349 consecutive regular season games and an addiitonal 43 playoff games before sitting out Wednesday's game in Florida) sidelined for two to four weeks and winger Erik Cole just coming back from a broken leg, I'd expect to see Sutter moving up the food chain. Possibly centering the second line even. (Coach) Paul Maurice is big on giving the ice time to the guys who're getting it done and Sutter is earning his minutes. This photo was taken during a pre-season game the year Brandon was drafted. Andrew Ladd was wearing the #16 sweater at the time, but Sutter has reclaimed that number since Ladd's departure in a trade with Chicago. If he keeps playing the way he is currently, hockey's newest Sutter may just be in the NHL to stay.

---

Stumble This!