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9 NHL players already dominating with their new teams

By Richard Jelinek

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 22: Alex DeBrincat #93 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his first period goal against the Calgary Flames at Little Caesars Arena on October 22, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 22: Alex DeBrincat #93 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his first period goal against the Calgary Flames at Little Caesars Arena on October 22, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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NHL, Shayne Gostisbehere
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

There are a lot of good new defensemen around the NHL these days.

Defensemen

Speaking of the Detroit Red Wings, one of their many off-season acquisitions was defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. Looking to solidify the blue line for Detroit, General Manager Steve Yzerman signed Gostisbehere to a nice deal and it is paying off in a big way.

Gostisbehere has three goals and six assists for nine points in 13 games. He is 15th in scoring among defensemen and is tied for second in power play points with six. He has been amazing on the power play and used his speed and experience on a regular shift. Underrated signing by the Detroit Red Wings.

One of the bigger questions this off-season was where defenseman Erik Karlsson would end up. The Pittsburgh Penguins won the lottery by acquiring his services as he has found a new home in Pittsburgh.

While the Penguins have Kris Letang, Karlsson gives them another offensive weapon from the back end. Known primarily as an offensive threat, the former Norris Trophy winner is living up to expectations while playing solid defensively. He has two goals and six assists for eight points in 10 games and is a +4.

Longtime Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov now has a new home with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Like Karlsson, he is an offensive defenseman who can help the upstart Blue Jackets turn around their transition game in competing for a playoff spot.

He has played a sound, all-around game since he arrived in Columbus and has eight assists in 11 games in an average of 23 minutes a night. He brings experience and is the technically sound, yet offensive, blue liner that the Blue Jackets needed.

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