NHL Trade Rumors: Top 3 teams who should trade for Shayne Gostisbehere

According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Flyers have put Shayne Gostisbehere on the trade market.

This offseason could be an interesting one as far as trades are concerned. Teams are looking to clear cap space and money due to being hit hard by the hammer wielded by the novel coronavirus pandemic. One of the more interesting names available, according to the latest NHL trade rumors, is Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

Gostisbehere is no stranger to the trade market, as his name has been in whispers for over a year. The Flyers have a deep blueline, which makes the talented defenseman expendable. Their desire to make some upgrades to their roster will probably motivate them to trade Gostisbehere.

Here’s what Pierre LeBrun had to say in a recent column.

Shayne Gostisbehere is available for trade, multiple sources around the league told me over the weekend.

Gostisbehere is a fascinating player for several reasons. First of all, he’s shown that when he’s on his game and with the right partner, he can be a difference maker. He’s two years removed from putting up 65 points in 78 games. Since then, though, Gostisbehere has combined for 49 points in 120 regular season games. He has seen his playing time per game decrease since then as well.

Secondly, Gostisbehere has several years remaining on his contract. Three years, to be precise. And his $4.5 million cap hit seems a bit high, but if a change in scenery benefits Gostisbehere, it could wind up being a pretty solid bargain.

In an ideal world, the Flyers would probably like to move him in a hockey trade, targeting a top-six forward in return. But this world is far from ideal with the salary cap ceiling remaining at $81.5 million. So the Flyers might not be able to make that hockey trade. They’ll probably have to settle for trading him for draft picks and prospects.

Which teams would make the most sense for one of the most fun players (and last names) in the NHL? Here are three teams who should be interested in him.

3. Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are looking to make their roster a bit more balanced this offseason. Star forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine have both found their names in recent trade rumors. This is because the Jets have some holes to fill on their blueline and down the middle. Trading one of those two players could help them fill those holes.

If the Flyers want to make a hockey trade with Gostisbehere, the Jets are their best option. They’d have to toss in some additional players and picks if they want to go hunting for Laine or Ehlers, though. But there are some other interesting names on the Jets, including Jack Roslovic.

The Jets would like Gostisbehere for several reasons. First and foremost, he has a recent history of being a top-four defenseman and he has a pulse. Those two facts alone should intrigue the Jets. Secondly, he has the potential to be a huge difference maker. This year’s UFA class of defensemen is filled with solid options, but very few of them are capable of doing what Gostisbehere can.

Here’s what a potential trade could look like, though the Flyers might have to add a little bit more. It should at least get things rolling, though.

The Jets have a very high asking price for Laine, but teams haven’t ponied up for it yet. If the Jets lower their asking price, this could make sense. Though I imagine Winnipeg would love to have someone like Morgan Frost.

1. New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have a ton of cap space and a lot of room to improve. One of their biggest roster needs is a left-handed defenseman. Will Butcher is a quality LHD, but other than prospects Ty Smith and Kevin Bahl, the Devils don’t have much as far as left-handed options on their blueline.

Gostisbehere would be a very nice buy-low option for the Devils. He’d immediately slot into their top-four and make them better. Gostisbehere needs a change in scenery and the Devils certainly have the room on their roster to give him one.

The Flyers recently signed Robert Hagg, which all but ensures Gostisbehere’s departure. If the Devils are smart, they’ll use this as an opportunity to acquire a potential top-four defenseman for pennies on the dollar. I think Gostisbehere would fit well with Damon Severson as his partner.

This would also let the Devils ease Smith into the NHL. He’d be able to be on the third pairing and work his way up in the lineup. Keep in mind the Devils have a ton of cap space, so even if Smith passes Gostisbehere on the depth chart earlier than expected, it’s not a huge problem.

General Manager Tom Fitzgerald did a great job getting value for Greene and Coleman at last year’s trade deadline. This is a trade I think he’d like to make, as he’d be getting a quality defenseman for a relatively cheap price.