OPINION | Is There A Ghost Of A Chance To Improve the Montreal Canadiens Defence? Philadelphia Flyers Defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere
The Canadiens had a major bounce back season with the youth leading the way. Despite missing the playoffs, their up tempo style of play has given fans hope going into this off-season. That being said, the Habs have missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons which is likely a factor in adding pressure on Marc Bergevin to make aggressive moves to improve the team now.
One major organizational need that was easily identified was for a left-handed, puck-moving defenceman who can fill in a top-pairing role. Victor Mete did his best, yet the 20 year-old sophomore was not ready to fill that role.
Now, the rumor mills are firing and information is leaking. One persistent story is that the Flyers will make left-handed, puck-mover Shayne Gostisbehere available for the right price.
Gostisbehere, known as Ghost Bear, has outstanding skating abilities with excellent speed and mobility. He also has high-end offensive abilities and vision as he is able to make pinpoint passes in transition, all assets that the Habs could desperately use.
His addition would instantly improve the Habs at five-on-five. Playing heavy minutes with a star shutdown defenceman like Shea Weber would afford him the openings he would need to focus more on his offensive strengths and mask some defensive liabilities due to his lack of size and poor decision-making.
The largest area of improvement would likely come on the power-play. The Canadiens were the not so proud owners of the NHL’s 30th ranked power-play last season.
Gostisbehere’s ability to quarterback a power-play and walk the line to open lanes would be a major improvement. Perhaps the largest improvement to the power-play would be his ability to cycle low into the offensive zone then lay a pass back to his defence partner for a shot from the point. It’s something that could take advantage of the legendary Shea Weber cannon.
Despite coming off the worst point total in his career and being demoted from the top pairing to a second pair, Gostisbehere’s possession statistics remained quite strong. His Corsi For was 52.2 and his Fenwick For was 52.1. They point to the fact that when he was on the ice, his team controlled the majority of shots on net and puck possession, two aspects of play the Canadiens are in need of from the blue line.
Gostisbehere’s contract makes him a valuable trade chip as well. At only 26-years-old and entering his fifth full NHL season, he is a young NHL veteran that is under contract for four more seasons at an affordable average annual value of $4.5 million (USD.)
The Flyers have made a change this season at by moving on from the patient approach of former GM Ron Hextall to that of GM Chuck Fletcher, who has said publicly he will be highly-active in adding pieces as Flyers ownership are looking for the team to become playoff contenders. This points to a GM who is looking to add NHL assets now in any deal.
The recent addition of puck-moving defender Matt Niskanen to the Flyers makes it more likely that Ghost is on the trade block to upgrade a forward position. Another reason Gostisbehere may have become expendable is due to the strong draft and development system in place in Philadelphia. Players such as Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim and Samuel Morin are all young left-handed defencemen that will need additional ice time. Provorov and Sanheim have proven themselves more than capable to fill top-four roles now.
What could be the cost?
Philadelphia is in need of scoring help along the wings, and the Canadiens have depth in that position. Again, rumors abound at what names the Canadiens are offering, but these must be taken with a grain of salt as Bergevin and his management team are notoriously tight-lipped with any information. That being said, two names that have been mentioned are Andrew Shaw and Paul Byron.
Byron adds speed and an ability to play in all situations up and down a lineup. He is also capable of adding up to 20 goals to a team in search of depth scoring. Shaw would seem a better fit with Flyers hockey. He plays their style and just completed the best statistical season of his career at 27 years old. His contract has three more seasons at a $3.9 million AAV which makes it acceptable even if Bergevin needs to retain salary in a trade.
But Shaw or Byron alone will not likely be enough. There may need to be an additional NHL ready piece such as Noah Juulsen to get Fletcher to stay on the phone. Juulsen could help Philadelphia balance their blue line with a natural right-handed player who also plays that physical brand Flyers fans expect of their team.
Don’t be surprised if it takes multiple quality pieces to land Gostisbehere. Considering the Habs desperate defensive needs, nothing outside of the core group should be kept off limits to land a player who fits the bill so well. Would Bergevin be willing to sacrifice the 15th overall selection at the draft table this year to make the deal happen? One thing is for certain: adding Gostisbehere would instantly improve the Canadiens blue line in all three zones for several years.
By Blain Potvin, Staff Writer. Edited by Cate Racher.
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