Report: Rangers sign Andrej Sustr to professional tryout

While fans on this side of the pond might recognize the name, Sustr has spent the last couple of seasons bouncing around Europe. In 2023-24, he played for Kölner Haie of the DEL, the top German pro league. After scoring 20 points in 44 games with Kölner, the Czech blueliner returned to his home country, beginning the 2024-25 campaign with HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga. After just 16 games, he was transferred to Liiga side Tappara in Finland. There, he scored a goal and 11 assists in 12 games, appearing in nine playoff games, as Tappara made it all the way to the quarterfinals before being swept by Ilves.

Sustr went undrafted in his draft year, but earned an NHL contract after a successful run at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning out of college, spending parts of six seasons with the Lightning. The Plzen native was on the Tampa team that made it all the way to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. His best season, individually, in the NHL was in 2015-16, where he scored four goals and 17 assists for 21 points.

In July 2018, Sustr was on the move, signing with the Anaheim Ducks. However, after just one season, he was on his way to China, joining Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League. He returned to the NHL ranks in 2021 with Tampa, only to be claimed off waivers by the Ducks in March 2022. In his final season in North America, Sustr spent time with both the Minnesota Wild, the Ducks and the San Jose Sharks.

In 361 NHL regular-season games, Sustr potted 11 goals and 58 assists for 69 points, with another five points coming in 46 postseason contests.