Detroit Red Wings: Shayne Gostisbehere is exactly what D-core needed

The Detroit Red Wings made a bunch of moves this off-season. They built themselves a competing team, and they have come out and done exactly that. The Red Wings 5-1-1 start is excellent, and the new additions have been a big piece of the success.

The Detroit Red Wings signed Shayne Gostisbehere to a one-year contract this summer, and he was able to get set with the team’s defense core right away. He’s been exactly what was needed, and the points speak for themselves.

Through his first seven games in Detroit, Gostisbehere finds himself third in points scored, which certainly says something when no. 1 and no. 2 on that list are battling for the league lead in points. Alex DeBrincat has gotten off to a hot start of his own, and Dylan Larkin is settling into a new role as well.

The point is that things are going well for Detroit overall, but Gostisbehere’s success deserves to be noted, even after seven games. He’s found a home in the defense core early on, which is a big deal, given how he’s been deployed.

Shayne Gostisbehere has been exactly what the Detroit Red Wings needed.

As was mentioned, Gostisbehere is third on the team in points, boasting nine through his first seven games. He’s got three goals and six assists, adding a goal and two assists in the Red Wings overtime loss against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night.

Gostisbehere came into 2023-24 with a chip on his shoulder, being able to prove himself. If he proves himself, he may earn an extension in Detroit or play himself into a spot that’s advantageous come trade deadline season if the Red Wings are sellers.

Or, he has a good year in Detroit and can land somewhere else next season. No matter what, the hot start is welcomed. Gostisbehere is averaging just under 20 minutes a night for Detroit, and if he can be successful in that role, it’s what Detroit needs.

Given how well the power play is performing, he will get his looks in with a man advantage as well. For Gostisbehere, he’s been a puck mover and even a shooter from the point on the power play, which is precisely what the Red Wings needed.

The power play is an entirely new version of itself in 2023-24, and part of that can be attributed to the success that the new additions are having, Gostisbehere being one of them. Overall, Gostisbehere has jumped in as a second-pairing defender and power play quarterback, and it’s going quite well early on.

Gostisbehere has been just what the doctor ordered. In this case, the doctor is Steve Yzerman, sitting up in his office constructing the Yzerplan.