Sutter was drafted in 1988 by the Chicago Blackhawks. In his eight years in the NHL, he scored 279 points in 406 regular season games, and 43 points in 51 playoff games.  He was very well respected and a hard working left wing throughout his career. 

From 1992-1995, Sutter was the Head Coach of the Blackhawks. Beginning in 1997, Sutter was the Head Coach of the San Jose Sharks for the next six years before becoming the Head Coach and General Manager of the Calgary Flames in 2002.  In his second year in Calgary, Sutter led them to the 2004 Western Conference Championship, but ended up losing in the Stanley Cup Finals. Sutte stepped down as the head coach after the 2006 season to become the full time GM. 

In Decemeber of 2010, Sutter resigned as the GM of the Flames. Almost exactly a year later, he was hired as the Los Angeles King's Head Coach. Sutter led the 2012 Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals where they ended up defeating the New Jersey Devils. That Stanley Cup Championship was the first for Sutter, as a player and coach.