The Philadelphia Flyers announced that defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere is sidelined for three weeks after undergoing left knee surgery. He had surgery on Tuesday and will reevaluated in three weeks.
Injury update: Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Tuesday, Jan. 14. He is expected to return to play in approximately three weeks.
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 9, 2020
Shayne Gostisbehere Out Three Weeks
Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said that Gostisbehere “tweaked his knee” during the team’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He missed Wednesday’s game against the Washington Capitals and underwent an MRI.
So far this season, Gostisbehere has scored five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 40 games this season. He’s also got 20 penalty minutes. His possession numbers are 52.7 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 1.4.
Over his six-year NHL career, the Pembroke Pines, Fla, native has only played for the Flyers. He has 51 goals and 148 assists for 199 career points in 338 career games. Philadelphia drafted him in the third round, 78th overall of the 2012 NHL Draft.
The 26-year-old had a standout career in the NCAA ranks with Union College. He helped the Dutchmen win the 2014 NCAA Division I title and was named the tournament’s most outstanding player. Gostisbehere also helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championships.
What This Means for the Future
Philadelphia called up Mark Friedman from AHL Lehigh Valley to fill the roster and he played in Wednesday’s game. Friedman has played in only two career NHL games.
The injury is a big one as the Flyers only have six healthy defencemen at the moment. Philadelphia is also dealing with the loss of Justin Braun, who is out with a groin injury. Braun won’t be back until after the All-Star Break in late January.
Matt Niskanen is the most experienced blue-liner in the group, but then the age drops off with Robert Hagg and Friedman. Hagg and Friedman are both 24 years old. Hopefully the Flyers can weather the storm.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 22: Shayne Gostisbehere #53 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Wells Fargo Center on December 22, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Blue Jackets won 4-3. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
