Why The Flyers Should NOT Trade Shayne Gostisbehere

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Well, well, well. Shayne Gostisbehere. All right, let’s get into it. 

Shayne Gostisbehere is a very interesting topic throughout the Flyers world. Some think he should be out, while others think he should stay put. I’m one for him staying put. Ghost is a very important piece to this defensive corps, and I say that with no regret. He’s been an off player from time to time from his rookie year in 2015-16, as he had 46 points in 64 games played, scoring 17 goals and breaking many records as a D-man. The next season in 2016-17, he had just 39 points (7g,32a), being a plus/minus -21. That being said, the team was very inconsistent. In 2017-18, he had his best season in the NHL, while posting 65 points, as Ghost enjoyed a solid rebound year.

Ghost has been up and down throughout his career just like the team has, as well. But remember, one player doesn’t make a team. The Flyers couldn’t rely always on defense, they didn’t have nearly as good of a team on offense as they do today, especially depth wise. In the 2018-19 season, Ghost had an bad season with 37 points, and was a -20 to boot, which was his second lowest point total in as many seasons. There were trade rumors galore, as his name started to float around, and I think that was the final nail in his coffin. Ever since then, he just has looked off, and I think his confidence was shot. 

In September, when the “Behind the Glass” Training Camp series came out. There was one particular interview with Gostisbehere that stood out. He brought up those exact trade rumors, and I thought to myself, “This guy is still thinking of that?” It started to make me think, as most athletes don’t listen/care about that stuff, it was very odd, however, at the end of the day he is human. 

Gostisbehere bounced all around the lineup this season, while playing in 42 games, and was still the main source of trade rumors. Two games that come to mind for me are the 5-0 loss to New Jersey on Feb 6th, and the 3-0 loss against the Bruins on March 10th. Against New Jersey, he was kind of just thrown to the wolves, and placed into the game after coming off an injury with really no time to get into game shape after being hurt for a period of time. He was having an OK game until a turnover off a bouncing puck at the blue line, and Miles Wood pounced on it and scored on a breakaway. I don’t really think he played bad, but Head Coach Alain Vigneault said that he shouldn’t have put him in, and he should have been sent down to Lehigh Valley for a conditioning stint FIRST, which he then was on February 20th. 

He was recalled on February 23rd from his conditioning stint, and then played with the Flyers in the March 10 game against the Bruins. Ghost had a really good game against Boston, as he made some good plays that was very reminiscent of his old self. In addition, I think that if he continued to play in those last 13 games of the season (which he could have with Philippe Myers being injured at the time), then he would have regained his confidence. I’d be a fool if I didn’t think it did after that game. 

Personally, I just love how much the coaching staff knows he’s still a good player, and trust him when he’s inserted into the lineup. What player do you see play five games across three months of the season, get bounced around, injured, and anything else you can think of- come back and play on the Power Play? That’s right, you can’t.

I don’t think Ghost should be traded, as there is a lot of value still in him. He’s 27-years-old, making $4.5 million until 2022-23. A player that is just 27 today is important on the business side of things. If they were to trade Ghost, it has to be for something good in return. He won’t get dealt for a bag of pucks, which is what some people think he’s worth. 

There has been talk of Ghost getting traded only to re-sign Justin Braun. I’m not really sure if I believe that, because that wasn’t talked about before there was RFA/UFA talk of who gets signed. Braun doesn’t figure into to Ghost’s situation, and I think that they can still re-sign Braun without moving Ghost. Braun can take a pay cut ($2-$2.5 million), or get a pay raise. He makes $3.8 right now, which his value could increase to around $4.5 million per year, as he’s been that good. I wouldn’t do $4.5 million because he’s 33, and Braun currently plays a 3rd line role, as well.      

There’s many things that can happen with this D-core, as Robert Hägg and Phil Myers also need contracts along with Braun. I believe all 3 will get signed to affordable, reasonable, and understandable contracts that make sense. There was also talk about Gostisbehere being placed on the wing. I don’t really see that happening, as Chuck Fletcher tried that with Brent Burns when he was the GM in Minnesota, and it didn’t pan out the way he/they wanted. 

Fletcher learned his lesson with the Brent Burns situation, which is really the story of his tenure with the Flyers so far, as he’s changed from the GM he used to be in Minnesota. He’s the reason why the Wild aren’t that good today, and are in Cap Space Hell. Fletcher signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter both to $98 million dollar contracts in the Summer of 2012. When Fletcher was brought here, he put all the pieces of the puzzle together. The veteran D-core additions, second line center in Kevin Hayes, a whole new coaching staff, and a lot more minor moves (Trading J.F. Berube). Fletcher has been phenomenal, and is definitely should be in the running for GM of the year.

Again, I don’t want the Flyers to trade Ghost, just to trade him. He’s a good depth piece and still has lots of value. Ghost can come in and be an awesome sixth D-pairing player, and play a great role on the backend. I made a Youtube video of the Pros & Cons of Gostisbehere, as well, if you get a chance, check it out below!