The Detroit Red Wings have been trapped in a slump after a hot start to the season. With the exception of a thrilling win against the dominant Boston Bruins, the Red Wings have struggled, losing three of their last four games.
Before Thursday’s game against the Montréal Canadiens, it was announced that the Red Wings were sitting defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere because he wasn’t “sharp” against the New York Rangers. That caught me way off guard. Even with Moritz Seider playing well, Gostisbehere was still arguably the Wings’ best defenseman this season so far.
Gostisbehere is sixth in scoring for the Red Wings, second among defensemen behind Moritz Seider. The next closest defenseman is Jake Walman, who is 11th in points for the team. Gostisbehere has three goals and six assists on the season for a total of nine points.
Specifically, Gostisbehere has been really strong on the power play, and we knew he would be coming into the season. It’s one of the main reasons he was brought to Detroit. He has aided a Red Wings power play that has ranked towards the bottom of the league over the past couple of seasons. He’s a big reason why the Wings’ power play unit has ranked towards the top this season.
Because of how well Gostisbehere has played to his strengths for the most part this season, the Red Wings’ defense has been on the attack offensively. Especially early in the season. At times, they looked like an offensive unit out on the ice. It wouldn’t have looked that way without Shayne Gostisbehere on the ice. That’s why deciding to bench him after one bad game is baffling. With the exception of maybe Klim Kostin, the whole team played poorly through two periods against the Rangers. I can’t find a reason to play Jeff Petry over Gostisbehere against Montréal.
Shayne Gostisbehere Deserves an Extension
Gostisbehere has played very well at every level during his career. That’s why I was surprised in the off-season when he signed a cheap one-year, $4,125,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings. Steve Yzerman got a steal at that price as he landed a proven veteran defenseman who is fixing the power play.
Gostisbehere’s exceptional performance at Union College in New York propelled him into the spotlight. During his collegiate career, he showcased his offensive skills and defensive awareness, helping Union College win the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship in 2014. Gostisbehere’s outstanding contributions on the ice earned him the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, recognizing him as the top player in college hockey.
Gostisbehere’s playing style is characterized by his offensive instincts and ability to contribute on the power play. His agility and quickness on the ice make him a formidable opponent for opposing defenses. Furthermore, his strong puck-moving abilities and accurate shot from the point make him a valuable asset to any team’s offensive strategy.
Since his contract is up after this season, I would waste no time extending Gostisbehere to a lucrative extension if he continues to help offensively as well as showcase his defensive awareness.
ITR 43: It's Winning Time – Inside The Rink
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