NHL trade rumors: Montreal Canadiens interested in Shayne Gostisbehere

According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Montreal Canadiens are deep in discussions with the Philadelphia Flyers about defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

The Montreal Canadiens are struggling right now, as they just recently ended an eight-game losing streak. They need to get some more offense out of their blueline and general manager Marc Bergevin has been active on the phones. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Habs have been talking to the Philadelphia Flyers about defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

This report comes from Marc-Olivier Beaudoin, an independent blogger. Eric Engels of Sportsnet, for what it’s worth, says he hasn’t heard anything about the Habs being interested in Gostisbehere at this time.

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The Canadiens were linked to Gostisbehere earlier this summer, according to The Fourth Period. Back then, the Flyers were reportedly interested in Andrew Shaw, who has since been traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, and Paul Byron. Byron is currently on the long-term injured reserve list, but could remain a target for the Flyers.

It would make sense for the Flyers to trade Gostisbehere. The fifth-year defenseman has been struggling this year under new head coach Alain Vigneault. In 25 games this season, Gostisbehere has nine points. His average time on ice is a career-low 18:29 per game. Gostisbehere has lost his place on the Flyers power play as well.

Gostisbehere has three years left on his current contract after this one. He carries an annual cap hit of $4.5 million. Gostisbehere would make sense for the Canadiens, as they could use another left-handed defenseman. He has experience playing on the right side as well and they could use someone with his skillset.

Byron, meanwhile, has three years left on his deal after this season and an annual cap hit of $3.4 million. The Canadiens have enough cap space to take on Gostisbehere’s deal without moving out any money, but if the Flyers want to make a hockey trade, Byron is probably their top target. Jonathan Drouin could be a target as well.