WWYDW: Brandon Sutter

Brandon Sutter is due to return to the lineup within the next few games, but he’s coming back to a very different situation than the one he left. With 13 points in 20 games, Adam Gaudette has likely solidified himself on the third line for the foreseeable future – and he’s having a lot of success on a unit with Jake Virtanen and Antoine Roussel, which has given the Canucks the sort of bottom-six stability they’ve been lacking in the recent past.

If line rushes are to be believed, Sutter will start as a winger on a line with Jay Beagle and Micheal Ferland when he returns – making for a nearly $11 million fourth line.

There’s certainly value in having Sutter back in the lineup, even if it is in a reduced role. He adds another natural center to a penalty killing corps that has often had to roll units of two wingers in his absence, and he’s certainly a better driver of play than Tim Schaller or Loui Eriksson.

But the question remains as to whether or not this would represent the best-case scenario from an asset management perspective. With Sutter off to one of his best starts as a Canuck before his recent injury, it might be a good time to put him on the trade market – recouping an asset for a player whose role on the team appears to be firmly usurped.

And now it’s time for you to weigh in, because this week we’re asking:

Last week, we asked:

The six Canucks who have had their numbers retired – Daniel, Naslund, Linden, Smyl, Bure, and Henrik – rank 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and 7^th respectively as the Canucks’ all-time top goal-scorers. It’s time to induct number six, Tony Tanti, into the Ring of Honour. He was by far the best (well, pretty much only good) player for the Canucks between the 1982 and 1994 Stanley Cup runs, and managed three 40+ goal seasons, plus another two in which he recorded 39 goals. It’s easy to forget about him because the late ‘80s were a pretty forgettable era of Canucks hockey. But that’s exactly why it would be good to officially recognize his contributions to the club.

 

Agreed (on Tanti), either him or Richard Brodeur. His career with Canucks was only seven years long, and his stats not great – but without him, there is absolutely no chance they would have made it to their first ever Stanley Cup Final.

 

Kesler hasn’t officially retired so the choice is easy! Juice!

His interview pretending to be Ryan Kesler is HOF worthy!

Luongo. He has the most wins of any Canuck goalie, and was a large part of the Canucks’ success during their best years.

The cap recapture was not his fault. The rule wasn’t in existence when he signed, nor do I hold it against him for retiring rather than going on the LTIR for three years. In fact, it cost him money to do so.

 

At some point Luongo will be a consideration – and by saying at some point, I mean at least 10-15 years from now when the sting of cap recapture and the other financial woes has diminished and Lou becomes a legend.

 

When Edler retires he should go into the RoH. He’s arguably the best defenseman in franchise history.

 

I agree with degan. Tony Tanti, when he lined with Petri Skriko and Patrick Sundstrom, provided what little offence the Canucks produced back in the dreary late ‘80s. And Mr. Beer Can makes a good point about Richard Brodeur, an immaculate god in goal during the ‘82 Cup run. Oh, we had Bob Murray for awhile…but it was the wrong Bob Murray.

 

I don’t think we should be in any rush to fill the RoH. I even think a couple names we have in the rafters shouldn’t be there. I know our cupboard of great isn’t that large, but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way. Let’s win a Cup or two before we start adding any others.

But if pressed, I’d like to see the Griffith family have a spot in something similar to the RoH.

 

I’m with the “give it a rest for now” crowd regarding the ROH. The big celly will be with the Sedins, and then that’s it for a while. Give the names just added some respect and distance from others before adding anyone else, because there’s few real clear winners at this stage.

Having some player recognition nights? Bring it on!

And my candidate for the ROH? The fans! 50 years of frustration, futility and heartache, but still haven’t given up on this team. Deserves some recognition at some point!