The Arizona Coyotes have acquired defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, a 2022 second and 2022 seventh-round draft pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for future considerations.
First off, future considerations is code for “nothing”. The Flyers get nothing here. Well, they get cap space. They need to extend Travis Sanheim and Carter Hart, while also potentially adding a winger like Vladimir Tarasenko or Patrik Laine. This trade gives them the cap space to attempt this. Gostisbehere counts for $4.5 million against the cap for two more seasons. He does provide production, but that is way too much for him.
However, this bet has a very good chance of paying off for the Coyotes. Gostisbehere’s cap hit is not crippling and he still is a good offensive defenseman. While defense can be a struggle at times for him, Gostisbehere will benefit the Coyotes’ power-play. Roughly half of his career points have come on the man advantage. A good portion of those points came in 2017-18, when he had 65. It has been a quick fall since then, unfortunately. Even if he does not pan out in Arizona, the Coyotes still win. They get two draft picks, including a high-valued one. It is worth noting that they now have seven second-rounders in the next two seasons. Two of their own, one from this trade, two for taking on Andrew Ladd, one for Derek Stepan, and another for Adin Hill. It is also worthy to note that the 7th is originally from St. Louis, acquired by Philly from the Habs for Erik Gustafsson. Montreal got it from the source along with Jake Allen.
Gostisbehere, 28, scored nine goals with 11 assists for 20 points in 41 games for the Flyers in 2020-21. In his NHL career, all for Philadelphia, Gostisbehere has scored 60 goals with 159 assists for 219 points in 381 games.
CarterHud 