Sustr registered three goals and 11 assists (14 points) while averaging 17:35 TOI/GM in 80 games this season. The towering defenseman is a solid third-pairing defenseman who isn’t asked to do too much and will be around in Tampa Bay for at least another season.
Strome, 23, was the No.5 overall pick in 2011 and has had a couple of tough seasons since posting 50 points (17G / 33A) in 2014-15. Overall, Strome has 126 points (45G / 81A) in 258 career NHL games. Strome is set to become a restricted free agent next summer and carries a $2.5 million cap hit this year, versus Eberle’s $6.0M AAV for the next two seasons.
Vatrano played just 9:25 TOI and 8:00 TOI in his last two games and is reportedly dealing with an upper-body injury. Vatrano is day-to-day and will be replaced by Matt Beleskey in the lineup vs. the Stars.
Stalock will make his Wild debut on Thursday to give Devan Dubnyk a break and replacing Darcy Kuemper, who has struggled recently. Stalock has gone 20-16-1 with a 2.31 GAA and .924 SV% in Iowa (AHL) this season and has a career 2.38 GAA and .911 SV% in 62 NHL games with the San Jose Sharks.
The Ducks hit the ice for practice on Monday and Gibson was not among the group. Gibson skated before the practice session and he “does his routine” according to head coach Randy Carlyle. Gibson is simply skating and stretching at this point and a return to the crease doesn’t appear imminent.
