The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed a profile of Red Wings free agent signing Shayne Gostisbehere on Friday:
“When you sign a one-year deal, you’re betting on yourself,” Gostisbehere said. “You’re trusting that organization and that opportunity that’s given to you. I need to have the right opportunity to show what I can do, and I thought it was a great fit.”
Gostisbehere pointed to defenseman Olli Maatta, who was in a similar situation the previous summer and signed a one-year contract with the Wings. Maatta played so well, the Wings extended Maatta for two more years (at a $3 million annual average value), showing one-year deals can work out for both sides.
“Olli was in the same situation as me,” Gostisbehere said. “Fell out of favor somewhere, go somewhere else and resurrects his career and springboards that into a contract extension. That’s the dream of every NHL guy when he gets an opportunity somewhere.”
For Gostisbehere, playing in Arizona the last two seasons was a chance for him to re-establish himself on the NHL radar.
After three seasons of subpar performance in Philadelphia, the Flyers traded Gostisbehere to Arizona in July 2021. Gostisbehere regained his confidence and scored 82 points (24 goals, 58 assists) in 134 games with the Coyotes, before being dealt to Carolina at last season’s trade deadline. In Arizona, Gostisbehere earned significant ice time and sparked the Coyotes’ power play and offensive attack.
“I had a few good years in Philly and then injuries really caught up with me,” Gostisbehere said. “It’s just a blend of falling out of favor there. Thankfully, I got a great opportunity in Arizona and I got to showcase that I could still play in this league and resurrect my career, and a chance in showing people that I’m still a good player. I’ll be forever thankful to the Coyotes organization.”
