According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Montreal Canadiens have shown interest in trading for Philadelphia Flyers star defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.
The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to add some talent to their forward core. They might have to trade from their defensive core in order to do so. Especially if the Flyers don’t sign Kevin Hayes, whose rights they’ve traded for. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere is on the market and the Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams to express interest in him.
This report comes from Anthony DiMarco, a reporter for The Fourth Period. Dennis Bernstein, a senior writer for The Fourth Period, confirmed the interest and noted forwards Andrew Shaw and Paul Byron are among the names that have been discussed on the Canadiens end.
Gostisbehere was recently ranked 10th on TSN‘s latest Trade Bait list. During the 2018-19 season, he put up nine goals and 37 points in 78 games. Gostisbehere’s 37 points are the lowest he’s had in a full season.
His 19:40 of average ice time per game barely missed being his career low, narrowly beating out his 19:36 mark in 2016-17. Gostisbehere has four years remaining on his current contract and carries a $4.5 million annual cap hit.
The Canadiens are looking to add something to their blueline and Gostisbehere could be a part of the solution. He’s left-handed and Montreal could use a difference maker on the left side. Especially since the right side is pretty stacked with Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, Noah Juulsen, and Christina Folin among the options there.
Montreal needs more dynamic defensemen who can move the puck. Gostisbehere would certainly qualify as one. His 37 points last season would have ranked second among their defensmen, trailing only Petry. Gostisbehere also would have had the most points of the Canadiens left-handed defensemen.
Shaw had the most productive season of his career in 2018-19. His 28 assists and 47 points in 63 games both set career-highs. Shaw just missed out on scoring 20 goals, as he finished with 19. He brings an element of skilled grit the Flyers could use in their top six. Shaw has three years remaining on his deal with a $3.9 million annual cap hit.
Meanwhile, Byron scored 15 goals and had 31 points in 56 games. He has four years left on his deal, carrying a $3.4 million annual cap hit. Byron served as one of the Canadiens’ alternate captains last season.
Both teams could use a shakeup. There would have to be additional pieces heading to Philadelphia, but this trade could make sense for both teams.