Wednesday, 27 February 2013 10:22

Written by Dave Molinari

Jordan Staal figures to command much of the attention when the Penguins visit Carolina Thursday night at 7:08, since he'll be playing against the Penguins for the first time since they traded him to the Hurricanes last June.

But the game also will be significant for center Brandon Sutter, who was acquired from the Hurricanes in that deal.

He never had been traded until Carolina sent him, along with defenseman Brian Dumoulin and a first-round draft choice (Derrick Pouliot), to the Penguins.

"It will be weird," Sutter said. "I've never had to go through that before, so I'm not too sure what to expect with that.

"That's going to be a little strange, I think, at first. But I'm looking forward to it. And probably looking forward to getting it over with, too."

Sutter has been the Penguins' No. 3 center -- the same role Staal filled -- for most of the season, but was bumped up to the second line when Evgeni Malkin suffered a concussion last Friday.