League sources said free agent defender Shane Gostesbehy signed with the Detroit Red Wings on a one-year, $4.125 million deal. the athlete on saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Gustesper, 30, scored 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists) in 75 games with the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes last season.
- Arizona traded him to Carolina on March 1 in exchange for a third-round pick in the NHL Draft.
- Gostisbehere is the Red Wings’ latest free agent signing on Saturday. Detroit also signed JT Compher to a five-year, $25.5 million contract.
the athleteInstant Analysis:
What does signing to Gostisbehere mean to Detroit?
That should definitely help their strength play, and bring in more offense from the back end in general. Gostisbehere has had double-digit goals each of the past two seasons, and four times in his career. It would help tremendously, and he seems to be the short-term replacement for Filip Hronek in that regard (and, by the same token, part of the bridge for first-round pick Axel Sandin Pellikka).
There is some question as to whether Detroit is crowded on the left side, with Jake Wollmann, Ole Mata and Ben Chiarott all running back, while Simon Edvinson and Albert Johansson are all seeking time. But Chiarot can play right flank, and Edvinsson is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, so this may not be a pressing issue on opening night.
Bottom line: Gostisbehere will help Detroit create more of the blue line, and in a very manageable deal. – Bultmann
background story
Gostisbehere began his NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers, who drafted him in the third round in 2012. He played seven seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Coyotes in 2021.
Gostisbehere returned to the playoffs last season with the Hurricanes, who reached the Eastern Conference Finals before being swept by the Florida Panthers. He last reached the postseason in 2020 with the Flyers.
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(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
