Flyers: How Likely is Shayne Gostisbehere to Seattle?

The 2021-2022 NHL expansion draft is approaching rapidly and there are a ton of questions for the Flyers heading into to this. The draft rules will be the same as when the Vegas Golden Knights came. The big four names that have been flying around for the Flyers have been Shayne Gostisbehere, Jakub Voracek, James van Riemsdyk and Nicolas Aube-Kubel.

Gostisbehere has been on an up and down road since his rookie year due to injuries. This season was his first season in a while without having to have a major surgery. When fully healthy, he is an absolute unit in the offensive zone and is serviceable in the defensive end as well. Looking back, Gostisbehere has been one of the best offensive defenseman to ever wear the orange and the black.

Who would have thought that a kid from Pembroke Pines, Florida would have amounted to as good of a hockey player as he had? Especially since his father was from France and his mother from Florida, but we can thank his grandfather, a native from Quebec, who began teaching Shayne how to play at a young age.

Since the Florida Panthers were formed six months prior to his birth, he was able to learn how to skate at the Panthers training facility. He ended up playing travel hockey for the Junior Panthers and eventually moved to South Kent, Connecticut. He went on to play at Union College.

In 2012, Gostisbehere was drafted by the Flyers in the third round. He stepped on the Wells Fargo Center ice for the first time for the Frozen Four in 2014. There, he helped Union College win the National Championship and he was also named the Most Outstanding Player.

After signing his entry level contract in 2014, Shayne tore his ACL for the first time, which kept him out of the lineup. He had a strong training camp that led to him being called up a month after being sent down at the beginning of the season. He also recorded his first point in his first game.

Gostisbehere went on to break Barry Beck’s point streak as a rookie record, the most overtime goals record, tied Mark Howe and Brian Propp for most power-play goals by a defensemen and most goals scored by a rookie defensemen. He finished second for the Calder Trophy as well, but made the All Rookie team. Gostisbehere did a lot that year, but was shut down again by injury. It was the same hip injury that ended his sister’s ice skating career.

He went on to sign a 6 year/27M dollar contract with an AAV of 4.5M a year. Gostisbehere had a down sophomore year, but came back for his third season with 13 goals and 52 assists. He then fell off again due to injury the following year and recorded nine goals and 28 assists. The 19-20 season was again scarred by injuries along with this season, but Gostisbehere had his best season this year in a long time.

In the shortened season, he scored nine goals and recorded 11 assists. He also ended the season as a -2. He had five power-play goals on a rather sub par unit. He had 24 giveaways, but given the fact he had to carry the puck out of the zone most times, it was likely to happen.

Gostisbehere has also done a lot in terms of giving back. From creating charities to meet and greets with fans, especially the ones in Florida where he grew up, there is nothing this guy wouldn’t do for anyone. He is a great locker room presence and teammate on the bench. He is an emotional guy and it shows about how much he loves his teammates. Go watch Sam Morin’s first goal and see how elated Gostisbehere was for him.

He has done so much good for the Flyers and has put his body on the line time and time again. He is what every team needs to succeed, an offensive defensemen who is also a power play specialist. He also has a really high end skating ability as well. The energy and hustle he brings on the ice is on full display. He truly is a Flyer.

Unfortunately, Gostisbehere could be headed to Seattle depending on what their team needs. He could be a very valuable asset to not only their first defense pairing but also on the powerplay units as well. Along with his hard shot, he brings the ability to quarterback  a power play unit and passing ability as well. He is a great addition to a new team who needs players to step up and not only play well but be a leader too.

Gostisbehere will also help with the Kraken’s over all salary cap needs. The Kraken will have to hit between 60 and 100% of the previous season’s salary cap limit and that 4.5 M will be a great hit for their cap limit.

If this was Gostisbehere’s last season with the Flyers, then I wish him nothing but the best. He is a good player and overall great guy. I will have so many memories being at the Wells Fargo Center and watching him rip one from the point for a big goal. He has shown nothing but class, especially this last season after being put waivers.