36 goals is fine, amazing even. 0 assists is unprecedented in the NHL and would be indicative of some massive flaws in the player's game (puck hog, tunnel vision, doesn't use his linemates, etc). It would presumably result in his two wingers having terrible offensive seasons themselves and the entire line being largely ineffective. In no way can the centreman on a line have 0 assists and have that not negatively impact the rest of the line.
Fortunately that won't happen so let's spend less time trying to figure out the merits of an improbable hypothetical and look at a more likely stat line - 18 g 18 a 36 pts. If those were the numbers for our 3C - assuming commensurate ice time, PP minutes, line mates etc (i.e. not actually getting 2C opportunities but being called the 3C) - then that would be a very strong season and would bode well for the club. If that is the production of our 2C (again assuming all the ice time and deployment of your second offensive line) then that would be somewhat poor. Not totally outside the range of a 2C - I believe they ranged from 35 to 55 points last year - but certainly on the extremely low side of production.
And the reason role matters? Well if Sutter is getting heavy offensive minutes, PP time, and offensive wingers then it means Horvat is not, which will negatively impact Horvat's production and the team's production overall. Now if Horvat gets those offensive minutes it means his production should be up in the 45-55 range and Sutter's 36 points would be very strong tertiary production given his lesser minutes, PP time, wingers, etc.
Context is everything when evaluating production.
