Flyers D-man calls out team as playoff hopes fade

Shayne Gostisbehere likes to say what’s on his mind, and he has a good idea why his Philadelphia Flyers look set to miss the playoffs this season.

On the heels of the Flyers’ 6-2 blowout of long time and bitter rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins, Gostisbehere had this to say:

“I think a lot of us, if we had the heart of Brandon Manning, maybe we’d be in a little different situation…I think it really pumped our team up”.

Harsh words. And he may have a point.

Manning is a defenseman whose marketable talents were on display in Sunday’s game with an epic bout between him and the Penguins’ Cameron Gaunce. The hard hitting blueliner brings grit, determination and above all, heart.

And that’s what Gostisbehere is calling out his teammates, and himself, for: a lack of heart.

It must be a pretty serious concern if that’s the theme of your comment after a huge victory over a hated rival.

The Flyer’s don’t particularly lack for talent through their depth chart.  Scoring and goaltending woes have hamstrung Philadelphia this season, but it’s how players responded to these struggles that Gostisbehere is calling out.

If it’s only the grinders, the fighters, and the low minute players that are still trying to win games, it’s no wonder the Flyer’s haven’t had what it takes to last down the stretch.

Gostisbehere himself has been a healthy scratch several times this season, on the heels of a great rookie campaign. He includes himself in the group of player’s who need to step up for the Flyers.

It might be to little, to late for this season. But Gostisbehere’s candid comments might be the first step to righting the ship in Philly.