This week, we’re mashing things up at CanucksArmy with a Trade Market/Immodest Proposals two-in-one special. The dueling columns are combining forces with a specific purpose in mind—trading Brandon Sutter.

Using a blend of both column’s formats, we’ll be exploring the question of which—if any—teams would be interested in trading for Sutter, and what the Vancouver Canucks might have to do in order to move him.

Other than perhaps Loui Eriksson and Tim Schaller, no player’s departure is a higher priority for most fans than Brandon Sutter. However, with a $4.375 million cap hit for two seasons after this one—and a whopping six points on the year—the question becomes less about if the Canucks should trade Sutter and more about if they’ll be able to.

Vancouver could afford to retain some salary—perhaps up to 25%—on Sutter in order to move him, but such retention should be compensated with a mid-round pick or something equivalent. By retaining a quarter of his salary, the Canucks would bring Sutter’s cap hit down to just over $3 million—and at that price, he should be worth a third-round pick at the very least.

 

With the uptick in Adam Gaudette’s play post-Trade Deadline, it’s arguable that Brandon Sutter has already lost his position in the lineup. The centre depth seems set-in-stone with Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, and Gaudette down the middle—not to mention Jay Beagle locked in as the prototypical fourth-liner.

Sutter’s role on the team becomes even more redundant if the 2019 Draft Lottery is kind enough to hand Vancouver a top pick. Being redundant at $4.375 million isn’t a positive—especially when the Canucks have so many holes in other areas of the roster.

All this is to say nothing of Sutter’s current level of performance. Though he’s struggled with multiple injuries in 2018/19, he’s also put up miserable numbers whenever he has been in the lineup. Sutter’s play is trending down, and it’s time for the Canucks to move on before he becomes impossible to move—if he isn’t already.

Deciding to trade Brandon Sutter is an easy decision. Determining whether or not it’s worth retaining salary to do so is the real question Jim Benning will need to answer.

In this section, we’ll highlight some of the teams that might be convinced to acquire Brandon Sutter. Specifically, we’re looking for rosters that are light on bottom-six centre depth and heavy on cap space. Potential trade partners should also be firmly within a competitive window—otherwise, they’d probably have little use for the 30-year-old Sutter no matter how much mentorship he provides.

We’ll also include some classic Immodest Proposals-style Twitter polls, asking readers to chime in on which teams they think would be interested in Brandon Sutter.

2019 Offseason Cap Space: $20.5 million

Notable Centre Prospects: Barrett Hayton, Tyler Steenbergen

Why Them?: The Coyotes will have plenty of cap space to play with this offseason—once Dave Bolland and Marian Hossa hit IR, that is—and their centre depth is rather abysmal after the unfortunate decision to deal Dylan Strome. Brandon Sutter could offer this young roster some stability while it continues to make a concerted push for a playoff appearance.

With few centres on the open market in 2019, a franchise like Arizona might need to compromise with a budget option—and Sutter could be that budget option!

 

2019 Offseason Cap Space: $24.1 million

Notable Centre Prospects: Rasmus Asplund, Sean Malone

Why Them?: The Sabres are ready and willing to become serious playoff contenders, but their team remains void of meaningful experience. Jack Eichel and Casey Mittelstadt make for a bounty of skill down the middle, but the Sabres’ veteran experience at centre is nil.

Buffalo really seems to be missing Ryan O’Reilly, and Brandon Sutter could resemble a discount O’Reilly replacement if one squints hard enough. With Matt Moulson coming off the books this offseason, there will be money available for an acquisition or two up front—even if the Sabres decide to shell out for Jeff Skinner.

2019 Offseason Cap Space: $33.5 million 

Notable Centre Prospects: Shane Bowers, Vladislav Kamenev

Why Them?: The Avalanche are a top-heavy franchise, and that’s especially true for their forward corps. They’re not going to contend without more depth up front, and especially down the middle—where they’re even thinner if Derick Brassard leaves as a UFA.

With boatloads of cap space, Colorado should be looking to make some big changes to their roster after a somewhat disappointing 2018/19 season. Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen need some sort of support—and Brandon Sutter has at least demonstrated the ability to eat minutes at the NHL level.

2019 Offseason Cap Space: $16.1 million

Notable Centre Prospects: Ryan Poehling, Daniel Audette

Why Them?: The Habs seem committed to contention with Carey Price and Shea Weber on the books, but they don’t have any similar pieces up front. Centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi is the closest thing in the Montreal organization to a star forward, but he’s not supported by much in the way of depth.

Marc Bergevin seems like the kind of GM who would value the “intangible” qualities that Brandon Sutter is said to bring to a roster. Montreal has a few open spots down the middle heading into 2019/20 and no obvious candidates to step in immediately.

2019 Offseason Cap Space: $31.7 million

Notable Centre Prospects: None

Why Them?: The Islanders are already thin at centre, and that could be even more of an issue if Brock Nelson and Valtteri Filppula leave via free agency.

GM Lou Lamoriello is known for his “old school” approach and that could lead to him valuing the sort of outdated game Brandon Sutter is known for playing. Someone needs to back up Mat Barzal, and Sutter is a viable compromise candidate for this pseudo-contender.