Pittsburgh Penguins' Matt Cooke (L) and Edmonton Oilers' Andy Sutton tangle in front of the net during their NHL hockey game in Edmonton October 9, 2011. REUTERS/Dan RiedlhuberDan Riedlhuber/Reuters
Andy Sutton has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers; a deal that could mean the veteran defenceman won't be going anywhere at the NHL trade deadline.
Sutton was due to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and his name has been mentioned repeatedly in Oiler trade rumours. When healthy and in the line-up, Sutton's 6-foot-6, 245-pound presence has given Edmonton some stability in its own end. Through 33 games, Sutton has three goals, six assists, 56 penalty minutes and is a plus-two defensively, the highest rating among Oiler defencemen.
The Oilers are still expected to be active at the trade deadline, with the likes of Ales Hemsky and perhaps Sam Gagner being moved.