Despite Sutter's strong early seasons, his play began to decline as injuries accumulated. Sutter only played more than 60 games in two of his seven NHL seasons, owning to multiple injuries and surgeries for his ankle, knee, shoulder, ribs, and face after taking a deflected slapshot. Despite his injury history, Sutter claimed in an interview he often plays better when he was hurt as it made him more upset or angry. Teammate Rick Paterson noted ""(Darryl) does more hurt than most guys do healthy"", and coach Bob Pulford remarked ""players like him that always get hurt just because they play with so much intensity, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He's a winner"".