The Anaheim Ducks Sign Defenseman Andrej Sustr To A One-Year Deal
The Anaheim Ducks announced Thursday the acquisition of another defenseman, Andrej Sustr. The addition of Sustr to the blueline could be the missing piece Anaheim needs to repair the crippled and pretty much non-existent third defensive pairing.
Last season was truly an eye-opener to how defective the Anaheim Ducks third pairing really was. Don’t get me wrong, I have tremendous respect for both Francois Beauchemin and Kevin Bieksa. They have sacrificed their blood, sweat, and tears for this team. However, the unfortunate news is that they were both already significantly past their prime.
It is high time for the Ducks to move in a new direction. With the newest acquisitions, it is clear that Bob Murray is on the same page. He barely let the ink dry on Luke Schenn’s contract before adding another veteran defenseman to the flock.
Of course, with any new acquisition, there are always concerns. It is especially difficult when the General Manager of a team is as tightlipped as Murray. There are definitely benefits to having a GM who isn’t willing to discuss things until they are in writing. The risk of the fans being stunned by false hope is minimized. However, we’ve acquired a number of new players and we still have no insight into Murray’s thought process.
There is a possibility that we may not know GMBM’s plans until the Ducks take the ice opening day. If you’re anything like me, the lack of insight into Murray’s plan is killing you just a little bit. Our site expert, Ed Stein, recently took a deep dive into explaining Bob Murray’s big disconnect. Even in the midst of the discouraging inconsistency, we can still take the glass half full approach. We must remember that GMBM is doing what he can with what is available.
One thing we can be hopeful about is the newest addition to the Ducks blueline. On Thursday, the Anaheim Ducks announced that they had signed former Tampa Bay defenseman, Andrej Sustr, to a one-year $1.3M contract.
Shot In The Dark
When it all comes down to it, Andrej Sustr is a complete shot in the dark. There is no evidence to suggest he is going to benefit the Ducks, nor is there evidence that he won’t. I see Sustr as a gamble, but I think it’s a risk we should be open to.
In retrospect, Sustr did not have the best 2017-18 season. The defenseman produced an all-time low of seven points (2g, 5a.) His season was thus restricted to 44 games and he was inactive throughout Tampa Bay’s playoff run.
However, with the $1.3M cap hit, it’s a reasonable observation that Sustr fits into Murray’s 2018-19 plans. He will still have to prove his worth with defensemen like Jacob Larsson and Andy Welinski vying for a spot on the Anaheim Ducks roster. Nevertheless, his experience can be a great asset to the inexperienced defensemen.
He brings added depth to the blueline and is attributed to being a strong and dependable player. The Ducks also lack right-handed shooters for their third pairing options, so that serves to benefit him. His size is also an advantage, standing at an impressive 6’7” and 220lb.
As a viable option for the third pairing, his career stats aren’t awful. In 318 games he has produced a total of 63 points. He is certainly not in the same class as the Ducks solid top four. If given the chance, he should use his time in Anaheim as an opportunity to further develop his game.
Change Can Be Good
While he was in Tampa, one thing that didn’t help Sustr’s case was constantly being overshadowed by the younger, faster talent. Unfortunately, he fell victim to the typical “out with the old, in with the new” mantra. With the game of hockey being in a constant state of evolution, he was passed by others in the Bolts organization.
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Randy Carlyle is big on having a veteran presence on the ice. Last season, the talent available didn’t work in his favor. However, I will give Carlyle the benefit of the doubt. He had one of two options last season: choosing two veterans or two rookies. When given the option, he chose familiarity over the unknown.
Sustr has never know anything but Tampa Bay. He started his career with that team and until now, he hasn’t played for anyone else. We don’t know, nor does Sustr, how he’ll play in a different environment. Carlyle’s coaching style could suit Sustr’s game better and provide him with the opportunity for growth.
With there being a hole to fill in the Ducks roaster, Sustr is a good option for them to have in their arsenal. Sometimes all a player needs is a change of pace and scenery in order to thrive (Derek Grant for example.) Every team wants three solid pairings on the blueline. I hope Sustr can take the Anaheim Ducks one step closer to achieving that goal.
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“Bargain Bob” seems to have confidence in Sustr’s abilities. He signed the defenseman for a steal, which will serve to help lighten the burden on the Ducks salary cap. However, I think it was very wise of Bob to not make any long-term deals. The fact that he is testing the waters before he takes the plunge to make a big commitment, shows his skills as a GM.