With the departure of Mark Giordano following the 2020-21 campaign, the Flames will enter the new season without someone donning the 'C' for the second straight fall.
The next captain will be the 20th in franchise history.
It's a decision that will not be taken lightly.
"It's really difficult to be a captain of a hockey team in Canada," Sutter said. "It's totally different than if you're in the sun or somewhere where it's not a hockey market. It's totally different. There's a lot of pressure on our players.
"You look at this team since, when did Jarome become captain? Whatever year it was… Jarome and Gio were probably easy players to make captains, right? Top players. Great in the community. Great competitors. You just don't say, 'Well, that's our captain.' It's way different in the league.
"That's why not every team has a captain, quite honest, because it's a big burden. You want the player to be a really good player. You don't want them to be carrying the cross around all the time."
Sutter concedes that in his 20 years behind an NHL bench, he's had some players that were built different.
'Naturals,' as it were.
Iginla was one of those. Giordano, too. Dustin Brown - who was the captain of Sutter's Stanley Cup-winning Kings - another.
That's why it's so critical that a current member of this Flames team is not thrust into the spotlight.
But grows into the role.
It's better for everyone in the long run.
"It's not something that comes from outside," Sutter said. "It's natural. I bet Jarome and Gio were probably captains when they were little boys. Pee wee. Think about it. It's the same."
Without a captain, teams are allowed to dress four alternates.
Sutter says those players have yet to be named, but that there is definitely some flexibility in terms of how the team may approach it.
"I am happy with it," he said. "We're allowed to have four, we might have three.
"It's just a letter."
