Bonino and Clendening Traded for Brandon Sutter

While you slept in this morning, this happened:

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have acquired Brandon Sutter and a 3rd round pick from Pittsburgh in exchange for Nick Bonino, Adam Clendening and a 2nd round pick in 2016. The 3rd round selection acquired by Vancouver will be the earlier of the two held by Pittsburgh.

Sutter, 26, recorded 33 points (21-12-33) and 14 penalty minutes in 80 games with Pittsburgh during the 2014.15 season. In 495 career NHL games Sutter has scored 98 goals, 87 assists (98-87-185) and 94 penalty minutes with Pittsburgh and Carolina. He has also recorded 12 points (8-4-12) in 33 playoff games with the Penguins.

The 6’3", 190-pound centre was born in Huntington, New York and has represented Canada on three occasions at the World Junior Championships. Originally drafted by Carolina 11th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Sutter was traded to Pittsburgh in 2012.

A few reactions spring to mind:

> Wasn't Clendening one of the up and coming building blocks for the already weakened blueline? No? OK fine.

> Was this to help clear space up for Baertschi? Probably? OK fine.

> Does this help the cap space crunch? No? OK fine.

> By process of elimination, does this cement Bo Horvat as the 2LC? Yes? OK fine.

> Is Sutter straight up a better player than "We lost Kesler for that hairline" Bonino? Um....

> Is there anyone safe on this stealth tank roster anymore? Let's take our bumps now and assume no.

More to come...