Sutter looking to expand his game offensively in third-line center role

Brandon Sutter, the center piece of the Penguins return in the Jordan Staal trade, held a conference call this afternoon speaking for the first time since being traded to Pittsburgh on Friday night.

Here are some highlights from the call:

The trade was a surprise to Sutter which is why he didn't talk immediately after the trade. "First all, this is the first time I've been traded, so it is a whole new feeling for me. I didn't really see it coming, " Sutter said. "Bit of a shock to system, especially last couple days, and now I'm a little bit relaxed."

Sutter received the call from former Penguin great Ron Francis.

"I was at a friends place and got a call from Ron Francis, " Sutter said on when being told by Hurricanes management that he was traded.

While the trade was a shock to Sutter and he loved playing in Carolina, he now eyes an opportunity to play in the playoffs.

"For me, four years into my career now, I've still yet to play a playoff game, " Sutter said. " For me I'm at the point right now it's about winning. Want to help with that."

"With the two guys down the middle, playing behind them going to be a big opportunity for me. Like I said before, I just want to win some games and looking forward to the opportunity of playing with some great players.

The most interesting comments from Sutter were about the fact that he became frustrated at times in Carolina about his role of being regarded as a defensive shutdown centerman. He's looking to expand his game offensively and feels there's more room to produce from his third line center role and that he was held back to some extent in Carolina.