After a long summer shopping for defensive help, it appears Islanders general manager Garth Snow has just about zeroed in on his man. Turns out he was kind of hard to miss.
Snow was working late this evening in an effort to put the finishing touches on a multi-year contract for 6-6, 245-pound defenseman Andy Sutton. The Isles GM explored a variety of options for veteran help on the blue line, but in the end, he went for a stay-at-home, physical defender who can help keep the crease clear in front of goaltender Rick DiPietro.
Terms of the deal were not immediately available as negotiations worked toward a conclusion. The eight-year veteran defender spent the past four-plus seasons in Atlanta, where he totaled two goals and 14 assists in 55 regular-season games and finished with a plus-six rating last season. Sutton has been plagued with injuries throughout much of his career, but in 2005-06, he recorded career-high totals of 76 games played, eight goals, 17 assists and 25 points for the Thrashers.
Most likely, Sutton will be called upon to fill the minutes logged by Sean Hill last season. Following his suspension for the use of performance-enhancing drugs before the final game of a first-round playoff loss to Buffalo, the Islanders allowed Hill to leave as a free agent. If the 32-year-old Sutton uses his size to good advantage, he should be an effective replacement.
Comments (38)
Much better replacement than the slow footed Sean Hill!!!!
Guys a stay at home type but at least he has some speed!!!! Well, more than Sean Hill.
Gotta give it up to Garth Snow. For all that they lost the team winds up much better than they were to finish last season. Not to mention a 100xs better than the one that started last season.
It looks like off all the teams in the Atlantic we have the best defense corp. I pity Avery if he ever thinks of trying to bury Dipietro again. Witt and Sutton will bur that punk!!!!!!
I would've prefered us to get Markov, but Sutton was my second choice. Good pickup.
I think this coming season we are competitive. Atlantic division will be ugly this year, no doubt.
It'll be ugly but from the goal out no team is built better than the Isles right now.
From the goal to the D. I don't there there is a D corp in the Atlantic that stacks up with ours.
Now that we've let go of guys we don't need (Sean Hill and Richard Zednik), Andy Sutton will do so much better than him. I also like Bill Guerin but why didn't we resign Arron Asham? We didn't even offer him a contract!
Maybe we'll sign both Markov and Sutton.
I think the consensus is that Aarron Asham's clock has run out here. We'd be better served developing a kid in that spot and the organization is make a commitment to give at least Bergenheim a shot.
This was the most appropriate time to cut the cord with him. He's been here for a while and we've seen what he can do. The team is better served filling his slot with someone who can do a better job.
There are a lot of players out there that can. Even kids wallowing in the minors.
Sutton is an absolute monster! Good pickup for the Isles' blue line.
Anon;
I don't think this team is going to need to score 4-5 a night to be successful. looking at a lot of other teams in the Atlantic shy of Jersey, that seems to be the case for all of them.
Snow may as well just sign Markov to what he's asking. Perhaps maybe see if he can pry McCabe. From the goal on out they will be the best built in the division. Don't know many teams with a better D corp than can match up with this possibility
Witt-Sutton
Gervaise- Bergeron
Campolli- (Markov? McCabe?)
Meyer- Martinek
That's a really damn good D corp!!!!!
Caesar - your pairings are all wrong.
Look to see:
Witt-Martinek
Bergeron-Sutton
Campoli-Gervais
Meyer
Then we have 4 NHL ready (with experience) D at the Bridge. Much better than last year.
Here's to Spiller and Sutton in a pre-season against the Rags....
Cain;
I'm not a big fan of putting two youngsters together. That why I avoided playing Gerais and Campolli together. It's better to have a vet out there communicating with them.
"Sutton was assessed a match penalty for delivering a blow to the head of Toronto player Darcy Tucker at 9:57 of the third period."
this is a good pickup!!
Very solid pickup...Just what the Isles D needs...
I understand the point of having a vet with Campoli and Gervais, but also remember that they grew up playing together and play well together...I'm sure their communication is good because of how much they played together in Bridgeport...They also know each other and how each other plays from their time in Bridgeport...
sutton can't skate backwards, he makes derian hatcher look like a speed skater
are you kidding me?
why not just play drew fata rather than waste money.
last place here we come
Great pick up with Sutton. Now lets see what C we pick up. Allison or Vasicek?..should be interesting to see what the line up looks like when Garth is finished.
Oh my GOD! Our defense sucked and we let Sutton go. The guy is lost out there. Everyone thinks that because he's big he's tough. Unless he had a "guts" transplant...you're in for a rude awakening. I'm thrilled that he's not in Atlanta anymore! Good luck. Oh, if you need a good nickname, we called him either "the Big Muddy" or "Apple Andy"...as in turnover.
I can't believe we signed this friggin' clueless cremepuff! Doesn't anybody around here actually play the game or even watch closely? Before someone says how he was so strong against so many great SE teams...he wasn't. He played the PP cuz of his shot and had Hossa and bunch of partners picking up his slack. When Zhitnik arrived Sutton's icetime went to around 7 min.! Oh well...I hope I'm wrong, I really do cuz I'm an Isles fan, but after watching him in person for the past couple of seasons...oh no...arrgghh...arrgggle...I'm gonna throw up...KERSPLAT!
I don't think sutton will be called upon to play 30 minutes a night. Even with his shortcomings, he is a solid 5/6 dman who can clear the crease and probably help out on the PK....if anyone is expecting Chris Pronger, you will be disappointed, but Sutton is solid for the lesser role he figures to have.
It is soooooo obvious that jbear and Atlanta Hockey Guy is a Rag fan in disguise! It just shows how worried they are and obsessed with the Isles. Pathetic and funny at the same time that some loser Rag fan would pretend to be other people to try and knock an Isles signing! It's even more funny when really stupid people think they are smarter than everyone else and that they can 'fool' everyone! They end up looking like the fool! Continue obsessing over the Isles and providing comedy for us!
You are an idiot! Every time someone disagrees on this board, you guys (some of you) attack the credentials. Rangers fan indeed...Clark Gillies and Gerry Hart used to coach my practices when I started playing at Twin Rinks in the late '70's. I'm still playing you wannabe loser! Last time I posted my hockey experience, you called me a liar about that. That's all you idiots have...disagree...you morons gang up like a bunch of jr. high school girls and "the guy must be lying." Pathetic! Well...time will tell. We'll see how the lummox turns out. I hope he changes and does some good. As for you...go back to the couch and have another bag of Doritos...after you get done pontificating about how I must be lying of course.
jbear,
i am so glad you are back. I was lost with out you! you are my hero!
jbear likes men
I guess jbear must like men, that's why he doen't like Sutton!
No seriously, I am an Isles fan living in Atlanta. I go to every Thrashers' game and, as nice as Sutton is, he needs a LOT of hand holding! I cannot tell you the times he has totally blown his defensive positioning and, hang dog, skates over to apologise to his defensive partner, tap the goalie in apology, or at times, leaves the ice FIRST (he normally leaves last, greeting all the players as they go off) with his head down.He is a great Atlanta community partner, working with kids' groups and supporting the less fortunate, so his heart is in the right place. He just needs to get his head in the game. Maybe Nolan can bring the six-foot-six out in him. He will never be a replacement for Sean Hill until he starts PLAYING like he's 6'6". He was a one trick pony in Atlanta.
Guys! I do agrees with IslesFan...Sutton has has avoided more fights than Ghandi! I cannot TELL you the times he has had Scott Mellanby's back as Captain, because he was standing behind him the whole time the fight was on.
And to NYHockey16, he is scary like a monster, 'cause he has given up so many leads by poor play, we are shaking in our snowshoes every time he hits the ice!
The ghost of Alexei Yashin comes back to haunt the Island in the form of a defenceman. As far as being a nice guy...ever seen Glenngarry GlennRoss..."Good father? F*#K YOU! Go home and play with your kids."
Sutton is not playing in Atlanta and IS playing for a coach that will bring out the best in him. I think folks are very quick to dismiss the impact Nolan has on players who have fallen off a bit. Nolan did well enough to make Kozlov and Poti to appear as unsurmountable losses on Jul 1st.
No one was claiming that this time last season.
The Islanders right now have the best Defense corp in the Atlantic division. These guys are no joke (Except for Meyer).
I agree Caesar. Refer to my comment that if anybody can do it, Nolan can. I have the ULTIMATE respect for Ted Nolan and his abilities. He needs to have a "Hockey Knowledge" cram course for Andy. If he can't play meaner, he needs to play smarter. Many times a change of scenery is all a player needs. I hope against hope that you are right about the "best Defence corp". Best of luck to Andy and the Isles!
You are right Caesar, and Nolan is a motivator. No doubt that Sutton has the size, but he needs to learn positional play; develop lateral movement skills; and how to get his nose dirty (along with when and when NOT to do this). If Nolan can accomplish this with the with Sutton...well. I'll gladly be back here to acknowledge it. Like I said before (as has been echoed), he is a nice guy...but I wanna win!
Bear and Isles;
Sutton just needs to be able to hold his end. No one is going to ask this guy to man the power play or even work on outlet passes. He's going to fill the role Hill had but add much more mobility. I think that was his incentive for signing here.
Plus to hit guys like a freaking mac truck. I think Snow wanted a team with a bit of a mean streak. Something that the team as a whole was lacking last season. I've seen to many teams take comfort in making dispy doodle plays while skating with their heads down against this team.
Those days look like they are over.
With Sutton in the mix we can add Hunter, Nokie and Witt as guys that will make you pay. We finally have some crash to spark some energy on this team.
Guerin and Comrie will bring that from time to time as well.
This team is shaping up to be a really exciting take no prisoners style of team. It has just the right mix of grit, skill, vets and youngsters to get by. I know that I have cause to reup my center ice package and make the long trek from Boston to LI to see at least 5-6 games this year.
I'll be hitting both games at the Garden this season as well.
This team has a lot of character and leadership in the right places as well. I think you're going to see more out of some guys that you wouldn't expect just by looking on paper alone.
They just need one more piece and this team is set to take the division. That peice is a thrid line center. I think Oneil fits that role perfectly. He adds 20 goals and a mean streak as well.
The Rangers, who everyone is picking as the favs, are shallow up the middle and their defense pales in comparison to ours.
With Comrie, Sillinger and Oneil up the middle we can roll three lines. Not to mention still have tons of cap space and some spare parts for a late season deal.
Hey Caesar,
That was my beef with Sutton...he was NOT mean. I was at many a game where Hartley sat him down for not taking guys out or getting smoked, and then (as if to atone) he'd arbitrarily level someone (never a tough guy) on the O-transition or at some other inopportune time...boom...penalty! If Nolan can get him to cowboy up, develop some hockey sense, and stop the turnovers...well...my fingers are crossed that you're right. You make some good point though,and I should keep an open mind. Its just that living here and watching night after night from section 119...ok...I'll try to be positive cuz I really like the other pick-ups this summer.
Caesar,
You have valid points all, however I must reiterate that I have seen Andy in nearly every Thrashers' game he played, and he definitely needs to work on his hockey smarts and stronger defencive play to match his size. If anybody can do it though, Coach Nolan can.
I'm not as familiar with Atlanta's D as most of you are. Yet, I don't see them as being the type where a Defensmen can risk delivering a hard blow. Considering if you miss the other guy gets burned.
Condering the goaltending there it doesn't leave much room for error. If Hill blew his man on a hit at least Witt is competent enough to cover.
With that in mind I think Sutton has a little more freedom here to do his thing without worrying about the puck winding up in the net. I even think Sutton would be fine to play his game like that with Campolli. I think Campolli is capable of making good decisions when caught in a pickle.
We'll have to wait and see I guess. It'll be intersting to see what Nolan has up his sleeve.
Hey guys, check out Suttons fight card for last season.
I agree with Caesar. Jeff O'Neil should be next. Allison has too many questions marks.
Jbear~
Where In Port Washington you live??? Or should I call you Alec ????
I like signing Andy Sutton. How about the defensive pairings? Would you put at least 1 veteran on each line with a youngster or put the veterans together and the youngsters together?
I used to live in Morewood Oaks...went to Schreiber HS, but I've been in the Atlanta area since '90. Who's Alec?
I am from PW myself ..... You may know my family from my sign on which I will not use now.....steady as she goes!
Alec is someone else from PW that moved to Atl.
be well!
I need to get a life. I keep saying the Rangers have such a great defense. Wow, I am sorry, they actually suck. And of course the Islanders will win the division and the Rangers will come in last place. That's what I really meant to say. And Messier tosses my salad!
With Van-Halen coming back on tour, now all I need from my youth is an Islanders/Rangers Playoff Series with a Kenny Morrow type winner for the Isles. That would truly bring me back to great day's passed!!!