The Philadelphia Flyers had warned their fans they would be busy this offseason and new general manager Chuck Fletcher has yet to disappointed.
After signing coveted free agent forward Kevin Hayes to a seven-year lucrative deal and acquiring two top defensemen in Matt Niskanen from the Washington Capitals, and Justin Braun of the San Jose Sharks, it seems like Fletcher might have more tricks up his sleeves.
But this one could be tough to swallow for the Flyers’ fanbase.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the latest acquisitions of Niskanen and Braun makes Fletcher more open to listen to offers for star blue liner Shayne Gostisbehere.
The Montreal Canadiens have been looking at different options to improve on the back end and are said to have been calling Fletcher’s office about Gostisbehere.
But the Habs aren’t the only team kicking the tires… Here is how LeBrun explained it on Thursday night’s Insider Trading on TSN:
“Our understanding is Bergevin has inquired on Shayne Gostisbehere. Now the Flyers have had a number of calls ever since they acquired Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun this week. Suddenly they have all these defensemen and so calls have been ramping up on Gostisbehere. Our understanding is it’s not just Montreal, it’s been other teams as well. And the Flyers are saying 'Hey, we’re happy to keep him by the way, but keep the offers coming.' So we’ll keep an eye and see if the Habs can ramp that up.”
The 26-year-old has four years on his contract at a modest $4.5 million cap hit. He would be a great fit for the Montreal blue line.
That would be quite a bold move of both parts. You are right, Pierre, we do need to keep an eye on this!
