Looks like we are into PTO season. Via Bob Stauffer, it looks like the Oilers are going to sign 34 year old Brandon Sutter to a PTO. The right handed centre last played in 20/21 for the Canucks before having to deal with the effects of Long COVID over the past two years. Now at 34, Sutter is looking to see if he can take one last shot at an NHL career.
No one should have any issue with a PTO like this. Right now the Oilers do not have a locked fourth line centre position. Derek Ryan can play the role but has admitted himself he feels more comfortable on the wing and had great chemistry on a shutdown line with McLeod and Foegele. Dylan Holloway could also fill the role but is young and unproven and the team may want to play him higher up in the lineup. Then there are guys like Lane Pederson who could win the job but again may be more of a winger than a centre.
There is no harm in seeing what a guy like Sutter can still bring. At worst, it doesn't work out and the team releases him after a couple of pre-season games. At best, the Oilers have a veteran defensive center who is a right shot; Derek Ryan being the only other legitimate option. Somewhere in the middle, the team signs the player to an AHL deal and has a callup option should the need arise, similar to what ended up happening with Jason Demers last season.
I won't be surprised to see the Oilers offer a few more PTO, targeted mainly at the fourth line role or another right shot defender. Adding extra competition to camp is a good thing and every once in a while a team can find a diamond in the rough.
Thanks for reading.