He may not have the offensive upside that Kyle Turris and Patrick Kane bring to the table, but Red Deer Rebels Center Brandon Sutter is probably the safest pick an NHL club can make come Friday night.
Put it this way, he’s good enough to have gone through over 30 different interviews with NHL GM’s and scouting directors and could easily end up being drafted in the top 10.
St. Louis, Columbus, and Carolina are teams that are extremely interested in this kid. Other clubs include Toronto, Montreal, Colorado, Anaheim, New York Rangers, and Calgary.
What you see is what you get with Sutter, who many feel is the best all around player in this year’s draft. His awareness in all three zones is what immediately catches the eyes of NHL scouts. If you’re expecting Sutter to develop into a number one center that’s going to put up ridiculous offensive numbers it likely won’t happen. If you’re willing to trade that in for a kid who works hard every shift, has well above average hockey smarts, skates well enough, and has enough skill to contribute in the offensive end then you will be satisfied.
Kane or Turris will end up on more highlight reels than Sutter, but those don’t have the awareness especially in the defensive end that Brandon has.
Sutter likes to play physical, his Father Brent Sutter told me when he hits he’s trying to run over and hurt the opposing player. He won’t be running anyone over in the NHL at 170 pounds and Brandon knows he must find a way to get stronger.
Brent says Brandon is far better than any of his Uncles or his Father when they were 17-18 years old. He says Brandon is a completely different player than his legendary family members but he still shares the same passion towards the game that earned the Sutter’s the respect they have. Brandon says growing up in a family like the Sutter’s has been awesome. The Sutter’s are spread throughout the Red deer/ Calgary area, “All we do is talk hockey,” Brandon said.
His Father Brent, who also Owns and has served as the Head Coach of the Red Deer Rebels since 1999 says he and his son have a normal player/coach relationship. Brandon chooses to stay with his billet family even during the summer because he wants to be treated just like every other player. The idea of going home to his dad after every practice and game didn’t necessarily excite Brandon. Those close to the Rebels say Brent gives equal treatment to each of his players and if you didn’t know you wouldn’t even notice they were related.
Brandon had a good year this past season with Red Deer but some say he slowed down a bit the last 20 games of the season. He may have gotten fatigued when you consider he played for Canada in the U-18 tournament in August prior to the season. He also recently played with the U-18’s this past spring as well.
I could hear the excitement in Brent’s voice when talking to him. He admits this is a very big day for the entire family; everyone is excited and proud of Brandon including his Aunts and Cousins. Brent will be joined in Columbus by his wife as well as Brandon’s older Brother Merrick and younger sister Brooke . Five of the six Sutter brothers who played in the NHL will be in attendance at the draft, all except Brian who raises cattle in Alberta.
Two of Brandon’s cousins have also been drafted. Darryl’s son Brett who recently signed with Calgary and Brian’s son Shaun who was a fourth round selection by Calgary back in 1998.
To be honest I think all the Sutter’s raise cattle don’t they? Brandon was raised on a farm and likely developed his work ethic raising cattle as a kid.
Brandon began to really develop into an NHL prospect as a bantam hockey player, before stepping onto the big stage in the WHL. He was named the WHL Eastern Conference Rookie of the Year as a 16 year old. When you talk to Brandon on the phone you take notice of how respectful and confident he is as a person. Many mock drafts have Brandon pegged to go to the St. Louis Blues who currently hold the ninth selection. The Blues hold character in high regard and are extremely impressed with Brandon’s personality.
Whether or not the Blues select him as high as nine remains to be seen. The Blues, like just about every other team, would still prefer to move up if at all possible and are dangling all three of their first round selections in an effort to do so. The Blues spoke to all 29 teams on Wednesday and have spoken to 20 teams on Thursday.
Brent says he doesn’t care if Brandon goes 1st or 250th; all that matters is that whoever gets him will be getting a pretty determined hockey player.
Brandon says he plans on busting out the brand new suit he purchased last week and he’s hoping it will bring him good luck on Friday night. He’s ready to get the show going. It has been a good week for Brandon who was also named to the Russia Super series roster that was recently announced. He is obviously hopeful Craig Hartsburg chooses Brandon to participate in the World Junior championships late this year. Hartsburg has only four returning players from this past winter’s club.
Rink Rats!
Brandon Sutter is being represented by the respected Craig Oster.
With the draft being held at night most hockey people believe any trade activity will be on hold until Friday afternoon.
The Leafs have no intentions of trading Bryan McCabe who has a no-trade clause anyway. A source close to the Maple Leafs told me that the rumor did not come from anyone in the Leafs organization.
JS Giguere is close to re-signing with Anaheim for six million per year.
The Islanders have raised the bar to 3.5 million to re-sign winger Jason Blake but the word I’m getting is that Blake wants to become an UFA so he can sign with the Minnesota Wild. Blake is hoping for four million per season.
Tampa bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster has recently told other GM's that none of his top three superstars (St. Louis, Lecavlier, or Richards)are on the trade block.
Blues Clues!
The Blues recently sent qualifying offers out to several players including Barret Jackman and Lee Stempniak. Curtis Sanford and Jason Bacashihua have not received a QO from St. Louis. The Blues have until 5:00 pm eastern on June 25th to extend QO’s.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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