Again needing a forward to round out their lineup for tonight’s game in Columbus, the Carolina Hurricanes recalled center Brody Sutter from Charlotte.
This marks the second NHL stint of the season for Sutter, who went scoreless in three games with the Hurricanes last week. The 24-year-old, fourth year pro played in each of Charlotte’s last two games, including last night’s 7-3 win in Chicago.
Along with Derek Ryan and Brendan Woods, Sutter has formed part of a rotation that the Hurricanes are using to fill their lineup while keeping the Checkers as stocked with players as possible during their push for the postseason, one that saw them climb back into a playoff spot last night. It's a strategy that has worked in Charlotte's favor, with Ryan, who could have easily stayed in Carolina, tying a franchise record with four assists despite playing his fifth game in six days last night.
With both clubs next in action on Saturday, the Checkers may not have the luxury of getting Sutter back before they next hit the ice in Manitoba. Whether or not that is the case, Charlotte may look to add players as forward Andrew Miller and defenseman Rasmus Rissanen each left Wednesday’s game. Charlotte already had seven players on its injured list, six of whom are forwards, and did not have extra players available last night.
Sutter, the Hurricanes’ seventh-round draft pick in 2011, has played seven NHL games over the last two seasons. Coincidentally, all seven have been on the road, a streak that would continue tonight.
