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Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Sign Gostisbehere to Boost Power Play

Versatile defenseman can play on either side of ice

Published

1 year ago

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Shane Gostisbehere, Red Wings
The Red Wings and D Shane Gostisbehere are in agreement on a one-year, $4.125 million contract.

Detroit Red Wings fans can look upon the addition of veteran defenseman Shane Gostisbehere from two separate perspectives. In the present, he’ll be a replacement for the traded Filip Hronek. Gostisbehere figures to likely play in the second pairing and run the the No. 2 power-play unit for Detroit.

That the Wings were only agreeing to a one-year, $4.125 million pact with Gostisbehere offers a solid indication that ultimately, his role will be that of filling in as a stop-gap measure until some of the bevvy of defensive prospects within the Detroit organization are working their way into roles of prominence with the big club.

Splitting last season between the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes, Gostisbehere, 30, wound up with 13-28-41 totals over 75 games. Had he been with the Red Wings, Gostisbehere would’ve been second among the team’s rearguard in scoring, trailing only Moritz Seider (42 points). His 13 goals were four more than any Detroit defender tallied.

Red Wings Acquire Power-Play Specialist

Gostisbehere’s presence should certainly provide a boost to the Detroit power play. His NHL career has seen the Pembroke Pines, Florida-born defenseman garner 311 points in 538 NHL games. Among his 87 goals, 27 are power-play markers. Of his 224 assists, 79 have come while his team was enjoying the man advantage. Both Seider and Gostisbehere accounted for 15 power-play points last season. The 2022-23 season would mark the fourth time during his NHL career that Gostisbehere accounted for a minimum of five power-play goals during a single season.

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Traditionally, Gostisbehere performs as a top-four defender. He logged 20:49 of ice time per game last season. As an added bonus, the left-hand shot is equally comfortable skating on either side of the ice. On a Detroit team with a dearth of right-shot defenders, that will certainly prove to be beneficial.

The trade off with Gostisbehere is similar to Hronek, the man whose role he’ll basically be replacing. He can be very suspect when playing without the puck.

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