Another ex-Red Wing is leading his team in defensive scoring and making Detroit regret not re-signing him
Former Red Wings defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere is leading the Carolina Hurricanes in points for a defenseman. How badly does Detroit miss him?
Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere's absence is being felt in numerous ways, especially considering the team's recent struggles offensively.
Gostisbehere wasn't re-signed by the Red Wings, reportedly due to general manager Steve Yzerman's reluctance to give him the term that he was seeking in a new contract.
So instead, Gostisbehere returned to the Carolina Hurricanes on a 3-year contract for an AAV (average annual value) far less than the $4.15 million that he made last year with the Red Wings.
And Gostisbehere has paid off handsomely for the Hurricanes, as he currently leads all defensemen in scoring for Carolina, who are in 3rd place in the competitive Metropolitan Division.
He has 27 points (6G, 21A) and is pacing to match his previous career-best of 52 assists.
Conversely, the Red Wings have gotten just five assists (and a -11 rating) from newcomer Erik Gustafsson, who was signed to help offset Gostisbehere's absence.
As if that weren't insulting to injury, Gostisbehere isn't the only former Red Wings player to lead his new team in points by a defenseman.
Jake Walman, who was dumped to the San Jose Sharks (still no explanation why) along with a 2nd round draft pick attached to him, has set a new franchise record for becoming the quickest defenseman to reach 20 assists; he also leads all Sharks defensemen in scoring.
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has to be seriously scratching his head at this point, because the decisions to not retain Gostisbehere and Walman while signing Gustafsson could not have worked out worse for Detroit so far.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 24 | 198 ANSWERS Another ex-Red Wing is leading his team in defensive scoring and making Detroit regret not re-signing him Which former Red Wings defenseman does the team miss more? | ||
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 66 | 33.3 % |
| Jake Walman | 132 | 66.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
