Brandon Sutter joining Oilers on PTO after missing 2 seasons

Veteran center Brandon Sutter is joining the Edmonton Oilers for training camp in September on a professional tryout agreement, according to team reporter Bob Stauffer.

Sutter hasn't played the past two seasons due to long-term COVID symptoms. He was one of several Vancouver Canucks to test positive during the 2021 campaign but returned to the ice to finish the year.

The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal with Vancouver for 2021-22 but didn't suit up for the duration of the contract due to his health.

Sutter has played in 770 NHL games split between the Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Pittsburgh Penguins. The 2007 11th overall pick has registered 152 goals and 137 assists over his career.

The Oilers are thin on center depth, but Sutter will have to come cheap if he parlays his audition into a contract. Edmonton has $3.5 million in cap space, according to Cap Friendly, and still needs to sign restricted free-agent star Evan Bouchard.