Will the Philadelphia Flyers Keep Shayne Gostisbehere?

There is no doubt that rookie Shayne Gostisbehere has been an impact player for the Flyers. However, there are big questions about his place.

The Philadelphia Flyers aren’t doing too bad. True, they lost in overtime Tuesday night to the New York Islanders 4-3. Yet their game was one of their best offensively that they’ve played all season. On the defensive side of the puck, the Flyers are having much better luck. He’s been an explosive player and one that has drawn Flyers fans together and rallied the team. You might have heard his name before and it’s highly likely that you’ll be hearing it even more.

His name is Shayne Gostisbehere.

The rookie was brought up from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms after Mark Streit sustained a ‘public plate detachment’. In the short time that Ghost, as he’s called, has been here he’s been connecting on power plays and boosting the Flyers’ defenses. Ghost has been connecting with center Claude Giroux and the magic they’ve been making is wonderful. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Watching the two of them communicate with a nod, a quick conversation, watching them move into open spots as if they have been playing together for years, not weeks, is to watch that hard-to-define but easy-to-observe concept of hockey IQ.”

There is no question that Gostisbehere has a gift and the Flyers are lucky enough to have him. Since he was called up on November 14th, Ghost has had four goals and four assists, which is no small feat. Two of those goals have been overtimes and there is no doubt an offensive strongman that lurks inside the defensemen. He isn’t capable of going a game without doing something that makes people notice. Gostsisbehere is capable of clearing the defensive zone and it’s safe to say that his power play game is strong. Even the man Gostisbehere is replacing is a fan of his playing. According to Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Streit said “He has done really well. That’s great for the team. Whenever there is a new player, opponents have to find a way to get to him. Teams see to have a hard time. His is moving really well and that is a big plus in today’s game- to have great feet and skate. ”

Despite all these excitement there is a problem lurking in the background: what to do when Streit comes back?

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It is going to be a difficult question for the Flyers organization. The job that Gostisbehere is doing with the Flyers is normally Streit’s job. He’s due back with the team in three weeks and the team will face big challenges due to the salary cap. Streit is 37, a veteran of the team, and is the team’s more tradable defensemen. Yet while the Flyers might want to shop him to make room for Gostisbehere, he’s one of the best defensemen the Flyers have. It would be a big loss to the team to lose him.

Streit is a team leader and that is very much needed on the Flyers’ bench. Yet if the Flyers keep him and Gostisbehere, will he stay as part of the first unit? Gostisbehere is currently on the first unit and is doing so well that Streit could be delegated to the second unit. The chemistry between Ghost and Giroux isn’t one to be disturbed and it would be hard to re-create that with Streit.