Sheldon Souray Out 4-6 Months; Ducks Sign Mark Fistric
By Sean
Apr 19, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman
Sheldon Souray
(44) defends against the Calgary Flames during the second period at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Over the past 5 or 6 months or so, I’ve complained a lot about the Sheldon Souray contract. Well, it seems that I won’t have to worry about him for quite some time. The Anaheim Ducks defenseman suffered a torn ligament in his right wrist back in mid-July and had surgery to repair the tear in late-July. Early estimates are saying that Souray will miss 4-to-6 months due to this injury. So, with this injury, the Ducks defensive depth chart would have Sami Vatanen in the top six and Hampus Lindholm as the seventh defenseman. Well, I don’t think the Ducks would like having Lindholm on the bench. So, they went out and signed a “replacement” for Souray. Of course, that depth chart might look differently if Francois Beauchemin is not ready for the regular season.
Feb 28, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman
Mark Fistric
(45) waits for the faceoff during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Oilers defeated the Stars 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
It was just announced that defenseman Mark Fistric signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks. The big defensive defenseman played with the Dallas Stars for five seasons after being selected 28th overall by the Stars in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers last January and appeared in 25 games for Edmonton. During last season, he suffered a pair of injuries, a back injury and an elbow injury, that nagged him for quite a while. Most of you guys should remember him from his time with the Stars, he’s strictly a defensive defenseman. He’s big (6’2″-233), strong and physical. However, he looks like he’s skating in mud. He’s slow and the top offensive forwards can take advantage of that. However, I’m pretty happy with this signing. He’s more of a replacement for Toni Lydman than Sheldon Souray. But we needed to bring in another guy with Souray being out as long as he will be and Fistric will give us some good depth on the blueline.
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