The Carolina Hurricanes don't have a banner history of offensive defensemen. Sure, they've had some very good ones. Justin Faulk was the gold standard for many years. Dougie Hamilton had a few very productive seasons. Brent Burns is the single-season points leader for all Canes defensemen. In two seasons, Shayne Gostisbehere has planted himself firmly in that conversation.
After a short stint following the deadline in 2023, Gostisbehere left for a year before realizing that Raleigh was where he wanted to be. His 45 points in 2024-25 were the sixth-most since relocation, but there was still a level Gostisbehere could reach. Burns' 61 points were well within reach for him. Unfortunately, he was a casualty of the early-season injury bug, too.
Even with early injuries, Gostisbehere nearly chased down history
Gostisbehere had seven points in the first four games of the season, and it felt like he was about to dominate the year. Then, he left the game in Los Angeles in the first period. After three games off, he came back against Vegas, only to leave again and miss another six contests. It wasn't an ideal start to the year, but Gostisbehere was great when in the lineup.
While he only played 55 games, missing a nine-game segment in March, Gostisbehere finished with 50 points, the third-most for a defenseman since 1997. His 0.91 points per game was the ninth-best for NHL defensemen, putting him on a 75-point pace. He was held off the scoresheet in consecutive games just four times while tying the team record for multi-point games by a defender (12).
Unlike his regular season, Gostisbehere didn't get off to a good start in the playoffs. Through Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, he had just two assists, both coming in Game 3 against the Flyers. When he opened Game 3 in Montreal with his first goal of the playoffs, the floodgates opened. He had four points over the final three games of that series before turning it on against Vegas.
With six points against the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final, Gostisbehere picked up half of his postseason point total, moving him into second in franchise history for points in a single postseason by a defender (12). He trailed only Frantisek Kaberle's 13 in 2006, and he had six more games to work with. It was a very good finish to his campaign after a frustrating regular season.
A healthy season could see Gostisbehere top Burns' 61 points
Last season, I predicted that Gostisbehere would top Burns' 61 points. Injuries prevented that from happening. Gostisbehere went through it, which makes me more hopeful that he'll be on the ice a little more this season. Obviously, I want that to be the case for everyone, but Gostisbehere stands a legitimate chance of grabbing the history that he should've made this year.
Given his status as the quarterback for the top power play, Gostisbehere is going to have every chance to produce. 18 of his 50 points last season came while a man up for the fourth-best unit in the league. For reference, when Burns scored 61 points in 2022-23, he scored 23 points on the power play. With a more consistent showing, this is certainly attainable.
Gostisbehere is one of the two defensemen on the roster on an expiring deal, and his next contract is almost certain to be worth more than the $3.2 million that he's making this season. I don't know if the Hurricanes will be the team to give him that, but I don't think it's impossible, especially depending on the Alexander Nikishin situation. A career year would ease those concerns.
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