Vancouver Canucks: 5 Second Half Predictions: “Revival”
By David Joun
1. Brandon Sutter will Revive the Offence
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The stage is set for Brandon Sutter to show to his fans why he deserves the massive contract extension he inked for the next five years.
Sutter was on pace for a 40 point season before he went down with the injury that led to his sports hernia injury. When he returns, he is going to be the freshest leg in the Canucks lineup, provided his surgery does not harm his career. Unlikely so at age 26 to not be able to recover fully from a surgery, but it is still a slim possibility.
The great thing about Sutter is that he so versatile all around the lineup. Play him at the conventional second-line centre spot, provided that you have functional NHL-level top-six wingers for him, and he can score. Play him on the right wing with the Sedins, should Hansen stutter. Play him on the bottom-six with Derek Dorsett and Brandon Prust, and that is instantly your most powerful line in the lineup.
Sutter’s presence frees up Bo Horvat and Jared McCann. The defensive obligations are lighter for the kids, and now that they played half the season defending, they will thrive offensively while playing defensively responsible hockey! If Willie Desjardins wants to play Adam Cracknell more and give McCann more offensive space, play McCann on Sutter’s wing.
I can’t put a number on him because of how versatile he can be used around the lineup, but Sutter is going to be a foundational player for the Canucks, even if he wasn’t one coming in.
Next: #2 The Kids will Come Alive