The Winnipeg Jets have claimed defenceman Luca Sbisa off over waivers. The Anaheim Ducks signed the Italian-born blueliner Monday to a one-year, $750,000. However, he was put on waivers as soon as he signed.
TRANSACTION: The Winnipeg Jets have claimed D – Luca Sbisa off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks.
— Winnipeg Jets PR (@WpgJetsPR) October 23, 2019
Luca Sbisa Claimed by Jets
The 29-year-old has played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights and New York Islanders over his 11-year NHL career. He has put up 18 goals and 85 assists for 103 career points in 504 career games. Philadelphia originally drafted him in the first round, 19th overall of the 2008 NHL Draft.
Last season he had one assists in nine games played for the Islanders. He also added four penalty minutes. His possession numbers were 49.3 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 0.7.
The Ducks looked to try to send Sbisa down to San Diego of the AHL, but the Jets swooped in and picked him up. Darren Dreger of TSN said the move has been in the offing for a while. Anaheim was hoping the veteran would provide some extra cover if an injury happened and to help the 0-4 Gulls.
Sbisa was born in Italy, but has represented Switzerland on the international level at the 2010 Winter Olympics and at a number of IIHF World Championships.
What This Means for the Future
The Jets defence is going through a lot of changes as they lost a number of players such as Jacob Trouba, Ben Chiarot, Tyler Myers and Brandon Tanev. Winnipeg also doesn’t know what Dustin Byfuglien will do since he’s stepped back from the game before the start of the season. Anthony Bitetto has also been dealing with injures for the team.
Sbisa brings plenty of NHL experience and will be a veteran presence to a changing blueline group. He’ll likely get plenty of opportunities with a fluid Jets backend group.
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 16: Luca Sbisa #74 of the New York Islanders defends against the Philadelphia Flyers during a preseason game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
