The Flyers need a core veteran defenseman on their team. And in order to get there, Shayne Gostisbehere shouldn’t have to be the one up for trading. Neither should Samuel Morin.
Gostisbehere tends to be the go-to trade bait that people talk about, but what if he weren’t?
While Gostisbehere may not be the same Gostisbehere that he was in the 2015-16 season, he’s still doing his job as a two-way defenseman. He isn’t a forward, which is what some people tend to forget. Production isn’t the number one concern for Gostisbehere, but it’s a great bonus.
Right now, Gostisbehere has eight goals and seven assists in 30 games played as a defenseman. He’s 10th on the team leading in points, and he’s played fewer games than most of the team.
Gostisbehere hasn’t had the best consistency in the way he plays, but he’s not a huge liability that some people make him out to be. He’s more of an asset to the team than a hinderance right now.
Morin has been in talks of trades, as well. Morin has overcome so much in his career and he’s just getting his first shot in the NHL. There’s no reason Chuck Fletcher should trade him right now. The Flyers have barely gotten a taste of what Morin can do.
It’s even more frustrating knowing that Morin’s position was changed at the beginning of the season to a forward instead of defenseman. This has impeded the Flyers from seeing what he really plays like and what he can offer.
A 6’7 Morin brings physicality to the table that not many others have been bringing this season. He isn’t just a big body, either. However, Flyers fans have only seen him in 13 games this season. Between the Flyers benching him and Gostisbehere, it’s hard to imagine they’ll both stay after the trade deadline.
The Flyers need a veteran defenseman as the defense has been inconsistent throughout the season. In order to get there, however, the Flyers should look elsewhere on the team. Two of their most promising defenseman at the moment should not be trade bait. They should be the guys that stay as the beginnings of a solid D-core.
i think ghostishehere have been the most consistent player over the last 10-15 games and seems to be 100% healthy would be sad to see him go
The last 4 games that Ghost was benched, the opposition scored 25 goals.
i argee Morin shouldn’t be traded nor should Justin Braun either they are the 4 defenseman also ivan provorov that should stay buildi a defense around them the rest stink