During the month of September, we will profile New Faces in New Places from
around the NHL. We now look at new Ducks'; defenseman Andrej Sustr. After
spending his entire career in Tampa Bay, he finds himself in Anaheim on a
1-year deal. How will he do out West and can he stay in the lineup?Andrej Sustr

2017-18 Stats: 2-5-7 in 44 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2018-19 Team: Anaheim Ducks.

How Acquired: Signed a 1-year deal worth $1.3 million on July 5, 2018.

Expected Place in Lineup: Likely spot on third defensive pair.Andrej Sustr
finds himself providing depth to the Ducks but must watch for some youngsters
looking for playing time. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)Mark';s Take

Despite spending his entire career with the Lightning, you knew the end was
near for defenseman Andrej Sustr. He only got into 44 games thanks to a reduced
 role and the rise of player like Mikhail Sergachev. Then factor in the cap
situation and you have the recipe for a free agent to be. After just two goals
and seven points, where would he go next?

The Anaheim Ducks believe they can win a Stanley Cup. With John Gibson in net,
their top-four defensemen set in Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, Brandon Montour
and Josh Manson and their forward core mostly in tact, you can see why. Still,
they lost veteran defensemen Francois Beauchemin and Kevin Bieksa. The fifth
and sixth defensemen is open competition.

The Ducks saw Sustr was available and signed him to a low-risk one-year deal.
With plenty of playoff experience on his resume, it perhaps helps solidify that
 third pair. It also brings in someone who can help their kids along. Can he
stay in the lineup though? And will the kids Marcus Pettersson or Jacob Larsson
 force their way into the lineup? For a team looking to win a Cup from the
loaded Western Conference, this is an important question to answer.

If this doesn';t work out, look for the Ducks to use the trade deadline to
bring someone in.

What Others Have Said

"Sustr is a towering right-shooting defenseman who offers the Ducks more depth
on the blue line after the retirement of Francois Beauchemin and the presumed
departure of unrestricted free agent Kevin Bieksa. While back-end depth is
important, Sustr';s presence on the roster-along with that of the stylistically
 similar Luke Schenn-only makes it more difficult for youngsters like Jacob
Larsson to earn a regular lineup spot. For a team that needs to get younger and
 faster, Sustr';s signing seems a bit odd and unnecessary." -Tom Dianora/The
Hockey Writers

"But the third pairing is unsettled. Beauchemin was a regular in the lineup
before he retired following last season, and Bieksa often played on that unit
too. Fellow rookies Andy Welinski and Marcus Pettersson got long looks
throughout the season, but with Sustr set to earn seven figures, he';s likely
to occupy a regular spot in the lineup." -Los Angeles Times

"Sustr, 27, saw a diminished role this past season and was inactive during
Tampa Bay';s postseason run to the Eastern Conference final. He averaged 12:50
in ice time per  game during the season, down from 17:35 the previous season.
Sustr had 10 goals and 53 assists in five seasons with the Lightning."
-tampabay.com

"Sustr has the ability to be a top four defenseman in the league. At 6'7", he
has the long reach that allows him to deftly steal the puck and move it up ice
quickly. The issue Anaheim Ducks fans will face is his propensity for turnovers
 in his own zone, many of which end up in the back of his teams net. In recent
seasons, he's struggled at both ends of the ice. That, coupled with the recent
acquisition of Ryan McDonagh and emergence of Mikhail Sergachev, led to him
ultimately losing his chance in Tampa Bay. However, Given regular playing time
he should get back to the form that was on full display throughout college and
early in his NHL career." - Lauren Burg/The Hockey Writers2018-19 Season Stats
Prediction

Sustr will likely start on the third pair but playing time will depend on how
he plays and if the kids are ready for a full-time spot. That said, he is a
veteran presence with ample playoff experience on his resume.

2-6-8 and helps balance out the third pair.

The post New Faces in New Places: Andrej Sustr appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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