Fantasy Impact: Red Wings Sign Gostisbehere
Dobber
2023-07-02
The Detroit Red Wings have signed defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (Ghost-Bear) to a one-year deal worth $4.125M.
The Red Wings get: a one-dimensional puck-moving defenseman who re-found his game over the past two seasons. Not to the extent where he can put up 60+ points like he did in 2017-18, but definitely back to a level where he can run a power play and post 50 points.
Fantasy Players Impacted: Gostisbehere shoots left while Moritz Seider shoots right. I don't expect the two to be defense partners at even strength, but I suspect they'll be paired up for all power plays. Last year the Red Wings rolled out four forwards and Seider on the top PP, and then four forwards with Filip Hronek on the second unit, until Hronek was traded. But Hronek shoots right, which played a role in why he wasn't alongside Seider with the man advantage. In fact, the Wings often had just one left shot on their top unit – Dylan Larkin. The signing of 'Ghost' gives a possible top unit of David Perron, Larkin and Lucas Raymond up front, with Gostisbehere and Seider on the point.
This likely keeps Dominik Kubalik, Robby Fabbri and Jonatan Berggren – all left shots – on the second unit. Another option is to keep Seider on the top unit with four forwards, and then have Gostisbehere alongside fellow new-signee JT Compher (a right shot) to man that strong second unit. Andrew Copp may lose his PP spot on that second unit altogether.
Something to keep in mind – with Carolina at the end of last season, Gostisbehere was a secondary option (behind Brent Burns). His PP time was cut in half and his productivity took a nosedive as he posted just 13 points in 38 regular season and playoff games. This situation with Detroit is similar in that Seider is the already-established and highly skilled go-to guy. Much will ride on whether or not Coach Derek Lalonde decides to go with two defensemen on his top PP unit.
Fantasy Players this helps, in order:
- None
Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:
- Gostisbehere
- Copp