ANDY SUTTON DOESN’T WANT TO CHECK OUT
“I love the direction our team is headed”
For reports from today’s Islanders practice, please follow Chris Botta on Twitter
9:00 am - Although there have yet to be any negotiations on a contract extension, Andy Sutton told Point Blank he hopes to stay an Islander beyond this season.
“I haven’t heard anything yet, but I would love to stay and be a part of this team,” said Sutton. “I love the area and love the team. Most of all, I love the direction our team is headed. I’ve been in the league ten years, and I can tell you without any hesitation that this is the best group of players and people that I have ever had the privilege of being a part of.”
Without a new deal, the defenseman would become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Sutton, who turns 35 on March 10, signed a three-year contract with a $3 million per cap hit with the Islanders in the summer of 2007. Although he made it clear he will not negotiate in public, Sutton wanted everyone to know his priority is to remain an Islander.
“Ultimately it’s up to Charles (Wang) and Garth (Snow),” said Sutton. “I understand they have a lot of important decisions to make. I can just tell you it would mean a lot, knowing they wanted me here. But either way, they should know - and the fans should know - I’m fully focused on this season and doing whatever I can to get our team into the playoffs so we can take the next steps.”
Sutton played 55 games in 2007-08 with the Islanders and just 23 last season because of injuries. After Radek Martinek was lost for the season with an injury, he became the Islanders’ shutdown defenseman and has been their fiercest body-checker. Scott Gordon, who has called Sutton’s performance “outstanding” and included the defenseman with Dwayne Roloson and Kyle Okposo in discussing the team’s MVPs, has given Sutton at least 22 minutes of playing time in eight of the last ten games.
Visiting scouts say Sutton is playing the best hockey of his career. I asked the 6-6 defenseman if he agreed.
“I’ve thought about that the last week or so, and I believe I am,” said Sutton. “I had some good years in Atlanta, but I think there’s more consistency in my game now. I have to thank our coaches for that.
“I’m also moving better than I have ever moved in my career. Before I got hurt last season, we worked on a new strength and agility program that’s done wonders for me. If you look at my hockey career going all the way back to college, I’ve been a late-bloomer. I feel really good that I have several strong years ahead of me.”
Adhering to team policy, general manager Garth Snow will not discuss contract negotiations. Purely coincidentally, Sutton’s agent Pat Morris attended the game at the Coliseum on Tuesday night between the Islanders and Red Wings.
Point Blank View: Sutton missed large parts of his first two seasons, but is showing why the Islanders signed him over other available defensemen three years ago. The Islanders know Sutton has the size and physical play they lack, and he fits in Gordon’s system.
If the Islanders set him free in July, Sutton could get himself a raise. However, he wants to stay and it’s apparent the coach and the core of young players have a lot of respect for him.
A fair resolution would appear to be a two-year contract extension at $3 million per. This keeps a reliable player in the fold and still leaves plenty of room for the Islanders to sign another top defenseman.
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116 Responses to “ANDY SUTTON DOESN’T WANT TO CHECK OUT
“I love the direction our team is headed””
Please Wait
Sutton deserves to continue as a part of the rebuild.
He really has been playing great hockey this year. Ive noticed how much improved he is. On a team with few large players, he really should be a priority to be locked up for at least 2 more years. Also, the fact that he wants to be an islander counts for a lot in my book.
Love the way he checks and has been playing this yr. I think 2yrs at $3mil is a fair deal and i hope they get it done.
We need Andy to come back. He is the only player on this team that utilizes his size and strength. He logs legit minutes and his play has been exceptional.
Please re-sign him Garth!
I think that a 2 year deal is fair - a small raise wouldn’t be the worst thing if that was what he was looking for.
Chris - I think you summed it up perfect - 2 years for 3 mil per for Sutton…and on top of it he wants to be here.
This is the first season since he’s signed that we’ve seen how good he can be. Keep him. I had no idea he was 35, he plays much younger.
Think he’d be a good re-signing….it’s the extra year on Witt that we’ll pay for next year.
The Islanders would be wise to lock him up now. He is playing very well, and if there is one thing this Islanders team is missing, is team toughness, so it would not make sense for them not to sign Sutton.
Speaking of team toughness, the way Tavares has been pushed around without any of his teammates sticking up for him has to be addressed by the coach, and other team leaders. If this team can’t, than they need to bring in someone who will.
What Pronger did to Tavares with no answer from his teammates is unacceptable. If he Pronger did that to Crosby, he would have been flattened by several teammates.
Playoff hockey is a long war, and if the Islanders ever want to win the cup again, it’s not just talent that’s going to get you there, it’s team toughness from each and every player on the ice.
I like Sutton and he has been great this year but he is 35 years old and somewhat injury proned. Big physical stay at home defenseman are tough to come by and he would be a great trade deadline addition to a playoff team. Depending on where the Isles are in the playoff race come deadline time I think you need to entertain offers. You can always try and resign him in the offseason if you deal him. CB, what do you think the Isles could get back for Sutton in a deadline deal?
CB-great post. (I couldn’t get through the entire post without leaving a comment)
Sutton’s proved in the few quotes you listed, that he’s a classy guy and a professional. What is most promising to me, as a fan of the Islanders, are his comments about “direction” and “group of guys” and “loving the area.” These are things that we need to hear from players. These are things that, when made public, attract other top talent!
Let’s go Isles!
Andy won’t be taking a pay cut, and he’s expiring @ $3.5 million this year.
Sign him CB
A no brainer. Sutton wants to be here,he won’t break the bank and he plays much younger than he is. Andy is a shot blocking machine and his clean crushing checks along the boards is a jump out of your seat thing of beauty. He’s big,he skates real well especially for a guy his size and he handles the puck nicely. I counted him out before the year began. He turned my head around for sure. Garth isn’t blind. Sutton will be resigned no doubt in my mind.
Got to spend to stay above the floor - two more years at the same $ works for me.
CB- seems about fair. hes played well this season, played BIG, and is very physical. counter that with his injury history. our GM has a very good record concerning signing players.
I think if I were the GM I would wait to see if he makes it through this season healthy. If he does that, it should be an easy decision to re-sign him. If he does miss a chunk of time, that doesn’t mean don’t sign him, just that the team would be a bit more careful in the decision. I may be a bit cheaper to do it now if he continues to do well, but I’d rather pay an extra couple hundred thousand for a healthy player than save the money and have him injured at the end of the season and need surgery and miss half of next year.
Sign him to another 3 year deal!
From the games I’ve gone to I can say one thing, the two guys you notice most are KO & Sutton, ( lately bailey too ) just wish he would drop the gloves more often.
2, 3 years tops
2 years at 3 per would be great, but in reality, I think it may be time they ask him to start teaching Witt how to throw that big check at the blue line…
Since he missed a good amount of time the first two season, taking an extension at the same pay would be an honorable thing for him. If it takes going up to 3.5, I can accept that to keep him. With guys like Hillen on the team and de Haan on the way, we need his size and physical play. 2 years is good length… funny I figured him to be more 32-33 then 35.
Witt? He’s done.
But they need to extend Andy. We need more 6′6″ defensemen, not less.
Sutton started off great last year before injury ended the year for him. This year is no fluke. He’d be a great veteran to keep around as the kids develop.
JoeRiverside
I think Sutts will be in big demand come trade deadline and could net us something decent. I would listen to offers and see about bringing in some younger blue liners with size in the off season.
Gotta give credit to what the coaching staff has done to help him fix his games. He has been terrible at times in his Islanders career. At some point early this year, he took his game to an entirely new level. With the way Witt and Gervais have played, coupled with the Martinek injury, he has been a savior on the blueline. Came out of nowhere.
Plain and simple…Sutton needs to be an Islander next season. He is obviously a leader on the ice and in the locker room and during a rebuild having a guy like Andy on the team is a true positive. In addition to locking up Andy we need to find a top pairing DMan on the FA Market.
CB - What’s the FA Market looking like this offseason for Top Pair DMen??
i am the first who jumped on Andy in the beginning of the season, but he has made me eat my words. He, along with Jack Hillen have been the most consistent Dmen. All we need is to get Witt, Bruno and Meyer off the books. Would love to see the Isles resign sutton to a 2 yr 6 mill deal, and see what the market is for Anton Volchenkov. BTW CB, is Dustin Kohn a candidate for a late season callup
Considering no free agents want to be islanders the team should sign him now. Which is the reason they should of signed Jason Blake or tried to get mcabe here. Very few players want to b islanders they need to jump all over the ones that want to be islanders.
I can’t believe I’m watching the same player this season as I have in the past two. Sutton has been playing real solid hockey - throwing checks and not coughing up the puck in key situations. Is it a contract year fluke performance? I guess we won’t know unless we resign him. My vote is “yes” - two more years please.
Eastonhockey: My prediction is that very shortly FA’s will want to come to Long Island. When the Isle start making the playoff with the young talent that they have, quality FA’s will come. We may land a good one or two next year. But I agree, sign Sutton asap.
Sutton has been one of the great suprises of this season. An extension is warranted. He has the size we need and has not been afraid to use it. 2 years is great.
Let’s see Andy stay healthy for an entire season before resigning him off of a great 20 game stretch. I love the guy’s play but we dont need another Witt situation where we are paying for past performance and reputation next year. And I love Witt too, the Witt that played 2 years ago.
Mike Komisarek this yr has 0 goals 4 assts -9 rating and 85 hits, Andy Sutton has 3 goals 5 assists -2 rating and 119 hits…Komisarek signed a 5 yr 4.5 million per yr deal, if we can lock up a guy like Sutton who does the same job as Komisarek, arguably better this year, for 2 yrs 3 mill per i think its a great move, just gotta hope the guy can stay healthy…
The last 2 years I would have said Sutton was a waste of time, but this year he has been playing phenomenally. I would love if the Isles could lock him up for another 2 years at $3MM per. However, you have to believe that if that’s the best the Isles could offer, that a 35 year old Sutton would test the free agent waters and see if he could secure himself a longer-term deal.
He is the physical presence on D that we don’t have from anywhere else. And Witt just doesn’t cut it anymore, not for this style of play, and maybe not anywhere.
With Andy playing the best hockey of his career and him over 35 years old by end of playing season, I think if a good offer for a good young player comes aging it’s time to trade him. A two year contract would make him over 37 years at the end of the contract. That’s too old to be on a rebuilding team.
In defense of his last 2 seasons, he was playing hurt. He showed flashes in his first year here.
2 years three million is reasonable if he stays healthy and he continues to lay the smack-down on danglers with their heads’ down (too bad comrie is hurt, sutts would destroy him). I’d also like to see Andy get an ‘A’ next year. Seems like he truly an islanders team leader on and off the ice.
A 2 year extension at the same money is a no brainer. However everyone pumping him up, Gordo, Scouts etc saying he is playing the best Hockey of his career, Sutton will want a raise. i don’t care how much he loves Long island, he is probably about to sign the last contract of his career and considering some of the contracts handed out last summer to marginal star d-men I think he will be looking for a minimum 3 year deal starting at 4 mil per. Whether he can get it or not will be the question but I am sure he will look!
If the entire defense were in their mid-thirties then he would be too old for the re-build, but you need some veteran’s to teach the new players. He’s going to be over 35 when the contract kicks in so there is no way out of his contract once signed. Then again he’s well rested from the past two seasons, so as long as it is an issue of dollars and not years they should sign him before the trade deadline or move him.
Sutton should definitely be a priority because 240 lb defenseman that are “a fit” won’t be easy to find. in fact, I’d say the mental and physical demands might even be beyond most men of that girth.
Andy [Coffey] is not in the Spring of his journey, so I’d say 2 years, $3M per with incentives (if that’s allowed under the CBA for vets) that can get him to $4M or $4.5.
Either way, Andy’s been terrific this year!
I’ll keep him for the 2 Years at $3 Mil/each but ONLY if it won’t prevent us from obtaining ANOTHER Shut down guy. Someone like him but maybe could skate a bit better.
I think Sutts has been playing great this season and I think this is exactly the player the Isles envisioned having when we signed him. I love the way he hits and when he’s playing healthy he’s extremely solid on the blueline.
However, I’d say the most I’d extend the contract is 2 years, simply because of his age/injury history. Then if he proves to be heatlhy after that, extend it again. Hopefully he can stay healthy (for the most part) and will wear an Isles jersey for the remainder of his playing career…
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
Andy has played fantastic but you need to know when to fold em. Look how the Witt extension turned out. He actually has real value, trade him at the deadline for something nice and if you really want him so bad pull a Tkachuk and bring him back after the season. We gotta be big picture here. If this team is being built for Stanley Cups a 35 year old injury prone defenseman will not be a part of that
I’m a big Sutton fan and feel he brings a ton to this team.
Along with Streit and Hillen, he should be a core defensemen for us while any other D-man can walk.
I think it’d be a flat out mistake to trade him.
So refreshing to hear. I was just thinking of what Sutton is considering for his future. Glad to hear he really likes it here…likes the teams direction and credits his coaching staff for his improved play. Lock him up Garth and make it public
2 years at the same money is defintely reasonable..but i would not trade him at the deadline if we are still in the playoff race
Couldn’t be happier with Sutton this season. I think 2 years is perfect for him and for this team. Him and Streit can be the veteran presence as we bring along McDonald, Gervais, Hamonic and de Hann. Although I do agree with #25 too.
Only way we trade him is if we could fetch a higher draft pick (3rd round or higher). Don’t see a team parting with an NHL-ready player for a pending UFA like Sutton.
That being said, if we do trade him I’d hope that it would be on great terms and the understanding that we want to bring him back for next season.
Please stop comparing Sutton to Witt. The only ways they are similar is that they are in their mid-30’s and they are defensemen. Witt is not fit for the Gordon system, while Sutton is. He jumps in on the play and can get back for coverage in the defensive zone. His long reach and size are assets that Witt just doesn’t have. Witt also cannot skate or jump in on the play offensively. He is too slow.
They are 2 TOTALLY different players.
Ok so let’s play GM………
Sutton wants to stay, has had a solid year shutting down the opponents, and he has remained healthy. Plus the veteran leadership for the young “D” coming up does not hurt at all. Since the Islanders are going to let some players walk, the money is going to be available.
Offer an extension for 3 yrs @ $3.75m per with the 3rd year being a club option. I do not think you can offer him more than what Streit makes.
If for some reason the Islanders have no plans on re-signing Sutton, then Garth & Co most package a deal in order to get a 1st round pick in return.
But then again…….. I am just a fan of this team……..lol.
Oh and just a question to those who may know… When can the Islanders start extending the contracts of Okposo & Bailey? Need to lock these kids up…
2 years @ 3 per is perfect…..as (47) mentions Hamonic should be ready to take on real minutes at that point, in a similar role.
Anything Longer takes away his value and puts you in a Brendan Witt Situation.
Funny/Sad….If Garth did not extend Witt, he could have possibly gotten a 2 for him last year…..Deal seemed good at the time, but now he looks like a buyout candidate.
49) I am pretty sure the option year’s were taken out of the CBA?
I believe Okposo and Bailey can be extended after the season’s up through the next offseason.
He says he loves this team and the direction the team is going. Offer him 8-9 million for a 3 year contract, vs. possibly another team offering him more (comparing him to Komisarek and his contract), and we’ll see if he means it.
Most players go where the money is.
Hopefully he means what he says and decides to stay.
If he does he’ll take a 3year contract to give him a shot at winning a cup here.
The way to attract ufa’s and others to this team is to have a good team. Lose Sutton and if you can attract a replacement you might have to overpay for smaller size, grit and talent.
I love hearing about players that enjoy playing for the Islanders, living on Long Island and see a great future for the team.
Sign’em
DOC
OMG. Please sign Sutton to an extended contract! We NEED a Dman like him when we get into the Playoffs. He would also be a great teacher/mentor for Calvin DeHaan when he gets to the big club. Sutton is awesome and we need to keep him in the mix!
coming into the season i would have wanted nothing more than to shed him from the roster. this season he has shown me a lot and I would love to keep him here next season. what makes me nervous is he is always hurt and i would hate to see us give him a 3-4 year deal and be stuck with another Kevin Haller.
2 years for 3, 3.5 seem fair to me. No more than that based on his age and his injury history. Love what I’m seeing from him this year.
Outstanding news, get ‘er done Garth! And it is awesome to hear players say they like the direction this team is headed and want to be a part of it. Hopefully others around the league who are pending UFA’s are taking notice of whats happening on the Island.
I think it might take more than $3m, but at 35 years of age, 2 years sounds about right. If they got him at $3m for that term, that’d be a steal, imo.
is there anyone who do not connect dots? when Andy was out of the lineup, the Isles sank, and lost games. he is obviously a key factor for the success of the team.
furthermore, the Isles are winning and doing the right things now that Witt-less is OUT of the lineup; CONNECT THE DOTS!!
Sign Andy…trade Witt.
one last thing…I always had faith in Gervais abilities, but I admit that I had lost all hope for him in the way he played this season. Great to see that Gervais has FINALLY got the message, and is playing solid 2 way hockey…a BIG plus for this team!
Sign Sutton for two years, and after the season, buy out Witt’s contract for next year.
Healthy Sutton Blows away Komiserek pay.CB, i think 2 yr extension given his lost time at 3MM is very fair.
Either get great value back in a trade or sign him for a two more years (or both), can’t just let him walk, he has been too good.
IMO
resign andy for two or three years
hamonic should be ready by then -
maybe dehaan as well
komisarek is an idiot for signing with maple leafs wouldve fit better back home in a isles uniform - tough luck now
witts on his last legs - ship him him to a stanley cup contender if possible - he deserves that atleast
give Gervais an ultimatum play up to what the islanders ecpected from you - consistenly each game or your expendable
( like campoli ) having one good game doesnt give you a pass - plus hes been with the isles too long to be treated any differently - dont get me wrong i like gervais but hes not consistent each game
wherever we go from here as far as playoffs or not for this - islander nation should be proud of this team for where we are at
next year looks very promising islander nation
its good to see islander hockey again
There will always be a team willing to overpay, no matter the sport. if someother team wants to give sutton a 3 year deal, then good for andy sutton. this is a business, the player wants to make the most, the team wants to pay the least, you meet in the middle. its better to lose a player a year early, then keep a player a year too long.
i have always thought it a mistake to challenge the effort of these guys. i think players like J Blake, M Rozival and B Witt work there hearts out, but i think they are proof of contract a year(s) too long.
having a GM who has played the game, has a solid record on free agent signings, i am certain Mr Snow will make a good, maybe not popular, but smart hockey decision.
For reports on the Islanders’ practice at the Coliseum today, please follow me on Twitter. Thank you…CB
Andy is a class act. I like him and when people were bashing him i stood up for him. Always knew he had it in him. Hope he comes back even with a raise.
Get rid of Witt anyway possible and bring Sutton back. With Martinek returning and Hamonic back there should be an improved group.
NO WAY. Yes he’s playing his best hockey, but he’s 35!!!!!!!! How long can he keep this up? Sell high and buy low.
Didn’t we give Witt thet extention at about ttheis point in his career. Yes, Witt is a great leader, but he’s not helping us.
Trade ANDY at the deadline and spend the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ elsewhere
2 more years at 3 million a year. He shouldn’t ask for more due to all the games he missed already. Other than that, Sutton has been great!
Would love to see Sutton back at those terms, maybe even a little more. He has been the most physical player the team has had this year and I feel very happy for him now that his injury’s are past him. Look forward to seeing him in an Islander for a few more years
6′6″ defense men that can skate and handle the puck do not grow on trees. Last I checked we don’t have any defense men in the minors or on our team that fits that bill. Barring a serious injury I would consider Andy Sutton as good as signed. The team lacks size and toughness and Sutton at least gives us that for 22 minutes of the game. It’s just tough for him to fight when he is so relied upon on the blueline. I wish Witt played like Sutts.
Puh lease stop with all the fuzzy lovey feelings for what Sutton ’said’, people. OF COURSE he’s gonna say that, its PR 101 and must be immediately discounted. Who in their right mind would say “I’m here because they pay me and I just want to get paid next year too and don’t care from where”. Cmon.
On the other hand, why WOULDN’T he want to stay? He’s obviously been coached effectively and done a great deal of work to get to this point where he is not only playing the best hockey of his career but also managed to carve himself a solid place on the team - and become a real help for our somewhat vertically and defensively challenged group out on the ice.
I’d like to see him back for a couple of years. And I don’t buy that “he is getting old” argument. Its a crapshoot and you have to take the chance. Who thought Witt would sink so low this year? Conversely, who THOUGHT Sutton would raise eyebrows this year?
So who really knows what is going to happen next year or the year after? Look at our Goalie. Over 40 and still has it.
Glad he’s helping and hope he’s doing the same for us in the future.
He’s doing a good job but I hesitate giving a two year deal to a 35 year old player with a recent history of injuries.
I would wait at least until the season is over to talk to Andy about coming back. I love him on this team, and I want him to come back, but its a contract year and I don’t want his play affected in anyway by a deal being done before it needs to be.
Whether we sign him today or June 30th, he would still be an Islander this season, so why have it be a distraction to him now.
It was hard to say anything about him when he was always on IR. Now that we see the real Sutton I say KEEP him!
Sutton - Hillen is one of the best shutdown D-pairings in the league right now. You will not find a better 6′6″ skating defenseman with his hands. His size and relative agility combined with Hillen’s mobility and smarts = the prototypical D pairing for today’s NHL.
no offense to this story or any other story on free agents and re signing with thei rrespective team, but how many times has an athelete in any sport said anything different from this stance.
I am not challegning the veracity of Suttons statements or his desire to stay here.
But what is any free agent going to say when asked at a midway point in a season if he wants to resign?
I can only imagine the type of respect or reaction from teammeates fans and management if this were the answer
“no I don’t want to resign here. I would rather play (city location). or “I am not happy with the situation here and am looking to move on”
Would an athelete be that stupid to say somehting like that.
No. 70 is right. Garth MUST trade Sutton at the deadline. He played like garbage for the last two seasons. He’s just having a hot season. We need to trade him at the deadline for a pick and sign someone else in July.
I have to be in the minority & agree with RHL Vin (#10) & jislander7 (#44). While Sutton is playing great, we are only in year 2 of rebuild. If we can get asset(s) for him before the trade deadline, we must. He is playing at the highest he has since he signed, and we MUST SELL HIGH. What contender GM/Coach would not love to have him, when he can be the difference in a round, thier jobs.
And if he does want to be part of the Islanders lets go the Tkachuk route and resing him. Rather than lose him w/ nothing to show ala Jason Blake.
Just the fact that he wants to be here speaks volumes, seeing as how many of the NHL’s top dogs want nothing to do with the NYI. He should retire here! I, for one, hope he does just that. Cant have enough guys like Andy in the room, to mentor the youngsters and show them he ropes.
I said it months ago on this site…extend him (which we should have done with Poti as well).
As for Davie (#67), it would be foolhardy to consider Martinek in our plans. He gets hurt EVERY year and for the same reason…he’s never learned how to protect himself, especially near the boards. Anything we get from him is gravy, but I wouldn’t make him part of the menu.
maybe they haven’t extended him yet because they’re afraid as they do he’ll block another slap shot and break his leg. the guy has been really solid. better and tougher than i thought he was. i think that he really wants to be here should count for a lot.
Absolutely re-sign him for 2 years at $3 mil if possible. Martinek should and is in the plans. His bad luck has to eventually stop. When he is healthy he is one of our best. Ask Gordon, he will tell you. Witt unfortunately has to go. I have a ton of respect for him but he doesn’t fit the plan.
I love how Sutton has played the last 30 games, but let’s see if he can play the remainder of the season this way. His first two seasons here when healthy were dissapointing and Sutton needs to prove he can do this for an entire season before we sign him up.
I don’t disagree with getting assets for Sutton to avert losing him for nothing but what kind?
Draft picks - No real shortage of them Goalies - No more!
Forwards - probably won’t want to take ice time away from JT, Moulson, KO, Bailey, Schremp, Nielsen, Comeau or Hunter so that’s a maybe at best.
Only option that leaves is d-men which means unless we’re getting a Ryan O’Byrne type long term project or unless we fleece someone into giving up an all-star like Campbell or Kaberle all that leaves is trading Sutton for another veteran which is a wash, a trade for the sake of making a trade.
I’d rather see him signed for 2 years and possibly making Harmonic his protege.
I would wait to see if he makes it through this year healthy, but I think a 2yr., 3million per year contract could be worth it. I guess you also have to look at what they can get for him at the deadline, but I won’t mind seeing him here for another couple years.
Have to resign him. Other than Sutton Jackman and Hunter I dont think we have a player over 6″2′. Although our GM is 6′4″. Defensively, he has been our best dman this season.
The team desperately needs vets that can still play the game. It is perhaps the most essential ingredient missing on this team and a big reason for the erratic play within games (blowing 3-goal leads with regularity). Fourth line vets don’t count. The team needs some vets that can play alongside the young guys and still take care of business. Most of us have said this all year. Sutton’s a vet that can still play…and wants to be here. Why trade that away and then have to go through the leftover bin to look for a replacement in free agency? Bringing him back seems like a no-brainer to me. There will still be plenty of holes on defense to fill without creating another one.
Lance brings up a great point, who you trading him for?
A goalie? we have one of our own to trade
A forward? Sutton would not get us any forward that would benefit this team
Another Dman? That would be a wash
His best value to this team is by keeping him on this team.
something good for both sides here should be fairly easy to get done
We need his size and smart play in the back end. Plus, he is physical and most of the team is not.
I love Sutton, love his character, toughness and veteran leadership, we need to keep him here, especially if he wants to be part of the rebuild.
Can’t see one reason why you wouldn’t re-up him for two more years. He moves pretty well for a big guy plus he doesn’t have as many miles on him as other 35 year olds do. Oh yeah PLUS he wants to be here. People complain all the time that we can’t sign players because they don’t want to sign here and here you have a guy that says he does. That doesn’t mean you give him more than he is worth but it does mean something.
I think 2y to Sutton makes 100% sense. Isles are gonna need to spend to make the cap floor, giving Sutton 3-3.5 even 3.75 next season is not going to prevent the Isles from doing anything.
Glad to see thats pretty much what you said, CB. For everyone with visions of draft picks in their eyes, the Isles need players as well as prospects- everything cant always be about tomorrow. And you arent going to get a player doing what Sutton is doing right now for any less than that!
CB,
Can you add Witt to the moratorium list (Sim, Thompson, Tambellini and Park). It is painful to read all the commenters who started watching this team in October 09. Sure, Witt may not be “a fit” anymore, but come on people. The last time this team was in the playoffs Brendan Witt was a key to getting them there.
This team needs more guys with HEARTS like “Witt-less” and “Simple Simon”… and less fans that turn their backs on the gladiators the first time they take one in the ribs.(90)
Keep him.
Plus he attended Islanders Kiddie Camp and got some neat gear!
Keep him. Those huge hip checks alone are worth it.
Hey CB, i totally agree that it would be a fair deal to extend him 2 years at 3mil. per. But ultimately if he has better offers, it will come down to Sutton and his agent. Does anyone know the rep on his agent if he has a history of being like a Boras/Falk type or if he could actually be somewhat flexible?
Definitely keep him. The picture on the front of the story says it all! Seriously though, the guy has been the guy the New York Islanders wanted to see when they signed him, and more. Plus, he wants to stay!
I like the way he’s played this year, and I’m glad to hear he’d like to stay, but if a contender gives me a good pick (1st or 2nd) or a good young player who can stick with us for the rebuild then they should move him.
When push comes to shove, he’s 35 now and has been injury prone. Better to move a player one year too soon than one year to late.
It’s funny… Sutton states how happy he is here and likes the direction of the team… he’s excited to play hockey for the NY Islanders… and some assume that he must be posturing for a new contract and is not really all that truthful in his comments.
???
Can’t someone actually be telling the truth once in a while?
Of course he wants to get “paid”… but can’t he actually want to stay with the Islanders too?
DOC
WOW - talk about a Catch 22
We actually have a veteran who “wants” to sign here, BUT, during this course of the rebuild, he has a lot of value. I’d imagine we could get good for him from a team contending who needs a D-man like him…
oops, that’s “get SOMETHING good” for him!
anyone notice he said its up to garth AND WANG? in house budget
i hope they re-sign. thats a good and fair contract proposal. he truly has been the best dman this year and most consistent.
Sutton for two more years at $3mil. is great and I would sign on to it. But until after the trade deadline or in July. I wait to see if BUF. or someone else is ready to give up a 1st rd in 2010 pick or a Barker/like player for Biron and Sutton before I pull that trigger.
By being patient, you hope to manage the situation where or you either get Barker/like player or you trade the other 1st rd pick for a Barker/like player in the off season.
As for Sutton, you either extend him after the deadline or in July dependent on how your asset management plan panned out.
Either way he should come back!
Wow we have come a long way as a fanbase. two and a half months ago we were going to run this guy out of town. I know I had to have been guilty of a few Mandy Sutton posts. But I will say he has impressed me over the last few months that said. here is my take:
Business comes first, if we get a nice offer for a Raw young defenceman with upside or a team wants to overspend for a playoff push then you do the deal.
Loyalty comes second.
In a perfect world loyalty and business would go hand in hand, but that is not realistic. Truthfully I have a tough time handing out a two year contract for 6 mill to a 35 year old injury prone physical defenceman.
Like charles said…There’s always a last year to a contract. (when discussing why he wouldn’t give Nolan an extension)
I think the Islanders have a good amount of Defensive prospects but most of them wont be ready next year. Our defense isalready thin and shakey and itll look the same way next year until the young guys are ready. So unless we are overwhelemed with an offer for Sutts I think it is definitely a good idea to sign him to an extension, as long as its no more than 2 years.
I have the utmost respect for CB’s opinions and I think that $6mil over 2 yrs would actually be a steal if we got the same Sutton we’ve seen this year. But ultimately that’s what’s going to make this decision so difficult for Garth and the coaching staff. Sutton has a long history of breaking down (go back and look at his durability when he was w/ Atl) and he’s not getting any younger. While I agree he’s hands down never played a better stretch as an Islander does he finish the season on the roster? And even then that’s no guarantee we get 70+ games out of him over the years of any extention. I love what I see this year (esp. the hip checks), but it’ll be interesteing to see what the Isles do.
I’m as pro-Sutton as it gets but given his age and injury history, I don’t think going longer than 2 years is wise. 3 maybe. I just hope we’re not complaining 2 years from now like how we are about Witt.
I still love Witt by the way.
Sutton is fantastic though and he’s rare in that he plays with a certain level of craziness in his eyes. I know he’s locked in and ready for battle. More of those type of players please!
I think Sutton is a no brainer to return. With Hamonic ready in 2 years, as he is flying through junior now, and DeHaan 4 full years away. We need to add IMO, one more bonafide D-Man.
Souray really is available and would be wicked in our rebuild.
I cannot imagine there isn’t a market for Witt?!?!?!
Teams out west would love his toughness come playoff time.
Nystrom? Clowe? Backes?
good for sutts. hes been nothing but a class act since hes come here and his presence on the blueline is needed. Hopefully he resigns. However, i dont see him getting 3 mil again from the isles or on the open market. his age and injury history will prevent teams from giving him that much. i would think between 2 and 2.5.
there’s no way snow lets him walk, sutton will re-sign.
It’s not even debatable.
I think Snow may make Sutton an offer but I hope not. Be thankful that we got one good year out of this 3 year deal. Plus, he could still get hurt again before the seasons up. I would look to trade him but only if the Isles fall out of the playoff race before the trade deadline.
I wouldn’t sign Sutton for next year. Too old too injury prone. They also have Witt and Martinek signed for next year.
I would let Sutton go, buy out Witt and then sign a UFA(maybe Paul Martin) to go along with Streit, Hillen, MacDonald, Gervias, Martinek and resign Meyers for the 7th D-man. Hopefully, Kohn and Katic can get some playing time next year too.
2yrs for 6 mill was exactly what I was thinking about. Won’t interfere with the rebuild.