Canucks, Brandon Sutter agree to 5-year, $21.875M contract extension

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The Vancouver Canucks have locked up forward Brandon Sutter with a five-year, $21.875-million contract extension.

Vancouver acquired Sutter late last month from the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he spent the past three seasons. The 26-year-old tied a career high in goals last season with 21, while posting a career-best 180 shots.

Sutter has developed into a solid two-way center, proving to be strong in the face-off circle and an asset on the penalty kill. The newly acquired Canuck notched four shorthanded tallies in 2014-15, good enough for second in the league.

Vancouver's depth at center took a hit last summer when they dealt away Ryan Kesler, but locking up Sutter is a good step to improving things in that area.