Andrej Sustr Signs One-Year Deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning

Jan 3, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Andrej Sustr (62) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Tampa Bay Lightning won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE (8:52 pm):

Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune has confirmed the value of Sustr’s contract.

ORIGINAL:

The Tampa Bay Lightning continues to ink their youngsters to new deals as defenseman Andrej Sustr agreed to a one-year deal today.

He was a restricted free agent but both sides had been working towards a new deal. The figure for his deal isn’t know yet.

In 43 games last season with the Lightning, Sustr had one goal and seven assists. He was held pointless in three playoff games too.

He also had a brief spell in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch in January so he could get more regular playing time. In 12 games he had a goal and three helpers.

The biggest question mark moving forward for Sustr is where he will be playing next season. He’s the eighth defenseman at the NHL level as Matt Carle, Victor Hedman, Anton Stralman, Jason Garrison, Eric Brewer, Radko Gudas and Mark Barberio occupy the top seven spots.

However, Sustr’s contract is one-way meaning that he will receive the same amount of money whether he is in the NHL or AHL which leads us to believe that he will be in the NHL as the team likely doesn’t want to be paying Sustr nearly a million dollars in the minors.

Yet, that might have to be the case. Sustr is still only 23 and has plenty to learn so it might be beneficial for him to be in the line-up every nigh for Syracuse rather than sitting in the press box with the Lightning.

If anything, Sustr is a reliable d-man Jon Cooper can plug into the line-up whenever needed.