No one can say the Rangers aren’t thinking big when it comes to bolstering their defense.
The Blueshirts added a dose of size and veteran experience to their training camp roster on Friday by signing defenseman Andrej Sustr to a PTO. Hockey insider Frank Seravelli was the first to report the move.
Advertisement
At 6-foot-7 and 217 pounds, the 34-year-old native of Czechia brings plenty of size with him as he looks to return to the NHL — he spent all of 2022-23 in the AHL and played the past two seasons in Germany, Czechia and Finland.
Sustr is known as a stay-at-home defenseman who’s solid in his own zone but doesn’t add much offense. He has played 361 NHL regular-season games, primarily with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 11 goals and adding 58 assists for 69 points while averaging 16:14 of ice time. His best offensive season came with the Lightning in 2015-16, when he had 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in 77 games.
He’s also played in 46 Stanley Cup Playoff games, putting up two goals and five points. Sustr played in 26 of those playoff games for the Lightning in 2015, helping Tampa Bay advance to the Final before losing to the Chicago Blackhawks
Advertisement
The move represents a low-risk gamble with potential upside for the Rangers, who added veteran forward Conor Sheary on a PTO earlier this summer. Sustr’s signing gives the more depth on the blue line, additional insurance against injuries, and another right-handed shot on defense – something that most NHL teams view as a desirable asset.
Rangers reportedly add veteran D Andrej Sustr on PTO
But Sustr will have to make a quick impression if he hopes to earn a roster spot.
The first pair is likely to be 2021 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox along with free agent signee Vladislav Gavrikov. Will Borgen, who was acquired from the Seattle Kraken in the December trade that sent forward Kaapo Kakko out west, was impressive enough to earn a five-year contract extension. There are also young players such as Braden Schneider, Scott Morrow and Urho Vaakanainen who are battling for ice time, as well as late-season acquisition Carson Soucy. Sustr will need to stand out quickly in camp and preseason games. He has great size and reach, but his skating, positioning and decision-making will have to be first-rate from the get-go.
Advertisement
The Rangers may still see value in keeping him within the organization even if he doesn’t make the parent club. Playing for the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack would let him provide veteran leadership while remaining a call-up option in case of injuries. It’s a smart, low-cost move for both sides.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sustr is getting more than the opportunity to prolong a career – it’s an opportunity to prove he can still contribute at the NHL level after several years away from the League abroad. For the Rangers, it’s about adding depth as they prepare for a new season that will see them try to rebound after going from Presidents’ Trophy winners in 2023-24 to a non-playoff team last season.
The veteran defenseman may or may not earn to a place on the Broadway blue line. But the door is open for him to get one more shot to show he belongs in the NHL.
Advertisement
Related Headlines