Flyers courting 6-foot-8 defenseman Andrej Sustr
Daily News Flyers blog
Flyers courting 6-foot-8 defenseman Andrej Sustr
Frank Seravalli
TAMPA, Fla. -- With the end of some NCAA hockey seasons last weekend, the race to ink undrafted free agents is on.
The Flyers have already begun courting Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha defenseman Andrej Sustr, who officially announced on Monday that he will not be returning to school for his senior season. He’s a player the Flyers have kept their eye on for years.
It’s easy to see why. Sustr, 22, is a 6-foot-8 physical specimen on the blue line. He is a Czech Republic native but has been playing North American hockey since 2008, when he joined Kenai River in the United States’ second-tier NAHL junior league.
The scouting report on Sustr is that he "skates fine" and he's a good puck mover, but his decision-making process could be improved.
For teams like the Flyers, who aren’t opposed to signing free agents to maximum ($925,000) entry-level deals, undrafted college players are an important avenue to restock the farm system.
Monday night’s opponent, Tampa Bay, might have the inside track for Sustr's rights. He participated in their prospect camp last summer, along with the Penguins. Many teams are interested, but a decision from Sustr’s camp does not appear to be imminent. It is believed Sustr would like to weigh all of his options. Vancouver, Detroit, Los Angeles and Ottawa are also among the reportedly interested parties, aside from the Flyers, Lightning and Penguins.
Vancouver signed Lake Superior (Mich.) State Univ.'s Kellen Lain already.
The Flyers lost out on undrafted prospect J.T. Brown last year to the Lightning. Brown, out of Minnesota-Duluth, wanted the guarantee of playing in the NHL immediately upon leaving school. Tampa Bay was out of the playoff race, easily able to meet Brown’s demand and offer him five games at the end of the season. The Flyers weren’t in a position to give up a roster spot. Brown has 23 points in 37 games for AHL Syracuse this year.
Perhaps, if the Flyers are out of the playoff race in a couple weeks, a taste of the NHL is something they could offer this time around.
The Flyers were also pursuing Western Michigan defenseman Danny DeKeyser last spring, who decided to stay in school. It's hard to imagine the Flyers would have suddenly stopped being interested in DeKeyser one year later. More than 20 teams were linked to DeKeyser last season, with Detroit believed to be a front-runner. DeKeyser will be on the market once Western Michigan's season is over. The Broncos were swept out of the CCHA playoffs last weekend, so they'll await word this week whether they've qualified for the NCAA tournament.
College hockey is in the process of playing their conference tournaments. More free agents will also draw interest after their season ends.
The Flyers have found a fair amount of success with undrafted free agents. Matt Read jumped right from Bemidji (Minn.) State to scoring 24 goals in the NHL last season. Harry Zolnierczyk went undrafted out of Brown. They did not find as much success with prospects Mike Testwuide and Luke Pither, who were both traded this season. The jury is still out on Phantoms forward Tyler Brown.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
If Paul Holmgren doesn't sign this guy, Fire him immediately— Flyerdom- you should GM the Flyers, seems you have the answers.— yantastic
- Paul Holmgren has failed on many levels and alienated many veterans, so much so all he could sign was Bruno Gervais and Ruslan Fedetenko last July.... — Flyerdom
- Yeah Flyerdom, all he did was offer massive contracts to the three best FA available last summer in Weber, Parise, and Suter. Weber actually signed, but his offer was matched and there was nothing Homer could do about it. But your right, he did nothing...nitwit — camtheman
- if the Flyers go for a 6'8 defenseman they should try for slumping Tyler Myers from the Buffalo Sabres— yantastic
- Myers is 5.5 million for 6 years, this monster is less than a million for 3 years — Flyerdom
- Seth Jones should be a top priority if they want a good defenseman.
http://www.gwinnettgladiators.com/site/news/article.asp?art=2619— dogman5 - Exactly Dog - never mind finishing 8-9-10th-11 finish LAST get jones!! — N.Ont Flyers fan
- One problem with that plan. The NHL has a lottery system. No guarantee even if the Flyers finish dead last in the NHL, they'll get the first pick. — pizano13
- Sustr would be an excellent prospect to add to the Flyers system. They are also in a position to sign him having freed up some contracts lately, and they can probably commit to getting the guy some NHL time this season...it couldn't hurt! GET IT DONE HOMER!— phlyer69
- Needs work on his decision making? Should fit right in with this team.— scootch
- If this Sustr guy signs with Philly, that would be the clearest sign that he makes poor decisions.
- Sustr a 6'8" D-Man now what team could not use a guy like that? If he can do what the reports say he can do then Hommer neeeds to offer him playing time with the big boys and get the kid signed ASAP. Also if Buffalo is looking to move Tyler Myers then Hommer should be looking inot that aswell andsee what Buffalo wqants in return. Tyler Myers would improve our "D". Hommer better get his act together and get us some prospects for our blue line and if we can a good NHL D-Man get him too without giving up too much. As this season looks asif it is all but over and once it is bring up the rookies and let them play.— srcdaddy1216
- HOMER, IS THE BIGGEST LOSER ON THE FLYERS— frank martino
- Finally.. An article about one of the best college free agent d-men.
There is another kid worth looking at his name is Dan DeKeyser. Seems like this kid can play and has decent size.— Nitroglycerin
