It has been no secret that a 2012 third round selection in Shayne Gostisbehere, or as Flyers fans like to call him Ghost, has been the subject of trade rumors for the past few seasons. The Flyers however, due in part to his high upside and great offensive ability was good in his first full season in the 2015-16 season (46 points), and then phenomenal in 2017-18 while managing 65 points. For this reason, the Flyers have hung onto Ghost, but due to the logjam on defense will that remain to be the case after this season?
Like some fans, Shayne Gostisbehere has been one of my favorite players since getting his call-up to the big club. He is a guy, who if he is able to fully hone in both sides of his game again can be an All-star. Unfortunately, for Ghost, other than the two seasons mentioned above, things have not fully clicked for him (Some of the problem are injuries limiting his abilities) to become that solid defensemen in his own end, while dominating on the offensive side of the puck. Can it still happen where he becomes consistent again? Sure it can, that is why it is always a risk to trade any player with high upside. Especially, one who has already had two very good seasons at the NHL level. However, for the Flyers, with Head Coach Alain Vigneault’s system it is pivotal to be at least adequate on the defensive side of the puck, while playing well in the money making part of his game, which is offense. He is a good puck moving defenceman, who makes plays up the ice while joining the rush. Ghost is also efficient in getting pucks to the net at a high rate, with his effective shot leading to goals. Of course, he has been nagged by some injuries that have made him miss games over the course of the past few seasons, and that especially did not help him this season. Especially, with how effective other players were at his position during his absence from the lineup.
To all my fellow Ghost lovers, it will be tough to see him go. However, from players stepping up this year in his absence, he just appears like the unfortunate odd man out. On the personal end, it is always tough as fans to see a player go, especially a player that is adored by a big part of the fan base. However, from a realist standpoint, Ghost is likely going to be moved cause of his skill, speed as a defenseman, and potential to spark right back up to being one of the better offensive D-men leading to a solid trade value. So who could Gostisbehere be traded for?
Of course, the name I am talking about is not Jack Eichel, that would take a heck of a lot more than just Ghost. How about an RFA (Restricted Free Agent) in defensemen Brandon Montour. Both Gostisbehere, and Montour are around the same age, 27 and 26 respectively. They are not the same type of player, but Montour affects the outcome more based off his defensive skills as a consistent Right-Handed D-man. It is important to note, however, Montour can still give you some solid offensive stats on the other side of the puck. In his first full season in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks, he had 32 total points, with 12 of them coming on the Power Play. Following that year, he had a down season in 2017-18, but still produced 25 points. However, Montour had a down plus/minus with a minus 16. One note to takeaway is that the Ducks were losing steam as the late 2010’s wore on, and especially the last few seasons heavily contributing to that plus/minus falling. Unfortunately, after moving to Buffalo, he was only able to play 20 games in 2018-19, due to a hand injury. Coming back this season, Montour did show up for the Sabres, and in large fashion being one of their most consistent defensemen on a not so good team all around. I think that has perfectly been highlighted by Jack Eichel recently. Anyway, this season Montour really helped his value, while becoming an RFA by producing a +/- of +13, with five goals, and 13 assists to go along with it.
As stated mentioned above, Montour can still be a guy who can produce some for you on offense, while playing that steady defense in his own own zone that Head Coach Alain Vigneault dearly covets. People call me crazy for thinking of this trade, however, Montour is a RFA and Gostisbehere is under contact till the end of the 22-23 season. The Flyers could pull this off by only giving up Gostisbehere on their end, while receiving Montour and a pick likely 4th or 5th round pick for acquiring the risk of taking on a RFA. Of course, there can be a verbal agreement in place, which would then I believe lead the Flyers to either do a straight up swap of Ghost for Montour, or have Buffalo give up a lesser 6th or 7th rounder, in addition to Montour. This is a trade that could work for both teams. Ghost at 27 years of age still has plenty of room to grow, and likewise Montour at 26 years of age still has plenty of room to grow himself.
Gostisbehere is under contract for the remainder of his deal with a $4.5 million a year cap hit according to Spotrac, compared to Montour, who was in the final year of his contract this past season, and had a cap hit of $3.387 million. It’s hard to judge just how much Montour will be asking for with a new contract looming, since he was injured for the most of the 2018-19 season. However, he did showcase himself well, as he was very productive this past season. His cap hit should not be exceed $4.5 million a year (Saving the Flyers approximately $1.2 million of cap space), and hopefully, his contract will remain where it is at now. His new deal might only be for two or three years because of Montour’s previous injury. He is still sort of an unknown overall, in regards to just what his actual true ceiling is, whereas Ghost who continued to struggle the last two years, previously had a stellar rookie campaign, and a good 2017-18 season. A one for one swap of Montour and Ghost could be helpful for both teams. The Flyers would get a Defensemen who can be effective, and be the perfect player to replace Justin Braun if he does not re-sign. Montour would be a perfect third paring defensemen for the Orange and Black, with the potential to be a second pair D-men going Forward (If need be). Moreover, Ghost to Buffalo works because they need another puck moving defensemen, and another player to QB the Power Play other than just Rasmus Dahlin.
It would be tough for many to say goodbye to Ghost, including myself, but if I had to I would not mind getting a good overall player like Montour, with the potential to get a pick on top of it, as well. We shall see what happens once we reach the offseason because if Gostisbehere is productive in the post-season, then this is an entirely different conversation. So will we see Brandon Montour in Philadelphia next year? We will just have to wait and see.Â
I’d look for a second or third line scoring wing not another dman.
Makes no sense. We don’t need more adequate defensemen for the same reason that Ghost is odd man out. Either we get back a d-man prospect with a higher pick or a scoring winger.
Sounds like sideways move.
Trading Shayne Gostisbehere for a middle of the road defenseman who is an RFA makes little sense. The Flyers have some young defensemen who will be ready in a year or two away for the NHL (Zamula, Kalynuk) Not only would Montour need a bigger contract to be signed, with the Flyers capped out, but the Flyers have 7/8 young players who will need to be resigned over the next two years(Hart, Myers, Lindblom, Sanheim, Patrick, Sandstrom, Rubtsov, Laughten, Niskanen and even Linus Sandin who has a one year deal.
One more item on trading Gostisbehere. The Flyers most likely would lose either Shayne Gostisbehere or Robert Hagg in the Seattle expansion draft next June(2021). If Gostisbehere is gone, Robert Hagg would be a great pickup as an outstanding physical, defensive defenseman to bolster Seattle’s defense and PK. I would hold onto Gostisbehere and try to get Seattle to take him, plus some other compensation as their pick from Philadelphia. The Flyers have to keep the chemistry they have on the back end with Provorov, Sanheim, Myers and Hagg. It’s perfect for every situation. Hagg may lack offensive talent, but he more than makes up for it on defense. And the PK. Gregg L Morrisville PA
I agree with Gregg, you don’t just trade Gostisbehere so you can get rid of him.Montour is nothing special. With the defense coming up later and with the Seattle draft it is the time when you can direct Seattle who you want them to take as opposed to trading for someone else who will be making 4 million or more a year. The object of a trade is to improve your team. I feel Ghost still has a chance to be a formidable defenseman for years to come. I would not give up on him. I would rather see them keep Ghost and Haag for 2021 and then steer Haag if possible to Seattle. If not, the 2021 trade deadline would be the time to move Ghost for the most you could get for him.