Detroit Red Wings: 3 players who will make biggest impact in first year

Detroit Red Wings are going to utilize Shayne Gostisbehere well.

The Detroit Red Wings went out and added some depth to the defense core. This came in the form of a few different players. However, one of the more exciting names brought in was Shayne Gostisbehere.

While the Detroit Red Wings gave Gostisbehere a one-year deal, he’s in a position to prove himself. He’s in a spot where he needs a big performance; it helps himself just as much as it would help the Red Wings organization.

A big year out of Gostisbehere would be beneficial to contract negotiations next summer, earning an extension if Yzerman sees fit or even driving up trade value if the Red Wings opt to sell. He’s proven he can be a veteran defender who brings a scoring punch from the blueline.

Gostisbehere has been in the league for the last nine years, and the 30-year-old has done an excellent job being an offensive addition wherever he plays. He was picked up by the Carolina Hurricanes last season as they hoped to make a cup run.

The Red Wings will utilize Gostisbehere in a way that will promote his offensive traits. It’s purely a hunch, but I’d expect Gostisbehere to play a role in the team’s second power-play unit and also see some offensive zone deployments, looking to make things happen with his play-making style.

If he can prove himself on the Red Wings backend, he could easily be one of the most impactful additions from this off-season, especially if Gostisbehere can prove to be an asset on the power play.