Carolina Hurricanes’ Defence brings excitement with the newest third pairing alongside a record for the franchise. Shayne Gostisbehere has returned to his old haunts in the Carolina Hurricanes’ defensive core, and it has been a show to watch. The Florida-born-and-trained defenceman has been lighting the lamp with style. Filling the skates of a team that lost an offensive-heavy second pairing in Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce, he has yet to disappoint.
How We Got Here
The Free Agency period was brutal for the Canes due to salary cap limitations. They lost multi-season players Teuvo Teravainen, Stefan Noesen, and notably double-trouble defencemen Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei. Carolina was left in a tough situation, or so the fans may have thought. On the same day, they answered to the losses by signing two defencemen, Sean Walker and Shayne Gostisbehere. Both of them were coming off their best seasons yet.
How It Once Was
In his first stint with the Canes, acquired at the trade deadline, he sat on the third pairing with Jalen Chatfield. He served in a critical role as Carolina progressed through the playoffs to the Eastern Conference Finals. Becoming a free agent in July, he was scooped up by the Detroit Red Wings with a one-year, $4.125 million dollar contract. In Detroit, he stood out among the blue line. He became their top defenceman in point production, heavily contributing to their fight to reach the playoffs.
How It Is Now
Here we are five games into the regular season for the new Carolina Hurricanes. Shayne Gostisbehere has made a vital impact on the lineup with his eye for goals, leading the team with a shooting percentage of 25.0%. Averaging over 15 minutes on ice per game, he is currently demonstrating the best puck protection on the blue line. He also comes in second for defenceman on takeaways this season, behind franchise defenceman and Alternate Captain Jaccob Slavin.
Milestones and Records
The season is still very young, but so far Gostisbehere has not disappointed. He reached a huge milestone in his career as he notched his 100th goal in the NHL. His 100th came when he blasted a shot past St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer in the third period last Saturday night. He lit the lamp and a fire under his teammates, as newcomer Jack Roslovic scored less than two minutes later. Roslovic had tied the game as they attempted to turn the tables in their favour. Though they ultimately lost the game, something else was building.
The following Tuesday, ‘Ghost’ spooked Stuart Skinner with a puck in the net for the Canes’ first goal during Frozen Frenzy night. In doing so, he fired up the Canes’ bench once again. Coming back from a two-goal deficit in the third period, they beat the Edmonton Oilers in overtime with seconds left before a shoot-out would be forced. However, that first goal in Oil Country wasn’t just something to get his team going. It tied a record. In only his fifth game back with the team, he tied Dougie Hamilton’s five-game goal streak for the longest for any Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers defenceman in franchise history.
Final Thoughts
The season has only begun, and like most teams, the Carolina Hurricanes will likely undergo a few more tweaks. A lot of change has come to the Canes since the post-season with a few stinging departures. But the offensively-minded defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere looks to be settling well into his new role. Sean Walker has been further helping to keep the Carolina Hurricanes’ defence as fierce as ever. As Brind’Amour blends some more lines, it seems hopeful that Gostisbehere will be able to keep doing what he does best – making the connection and making a difference no matter which teammates he’ll be on the ice with.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
