Shayne Gostisbehere was expecting a much better season than he experienced last season with the Philadelphia Flyers.
In fact, a lot of people were. Gostisbehere burst onto the scene in 2015-16 and even entered the Calder race after a historic 15-game point streak.
Gostisbehere finished the campaign with 17 goals and posted 46 points in 64 games and last season was supposed to be a bigger breakout star this season.
Despite the projections, Gostisbehere managed just seven goals and 39 points in 76 games as he battled back from hip and abdominal surgeries during the summer of 2016.
“Last season, it obviously didn’t go like my first season,” Gostisbehere said to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“You don’t get the bounces, per se, and it takes a toll on you mentally – and then you start looking for things you can change.”
Gostisbehere admitted the recovery from his injuries contributed to his down year.
“It wasn’t like I hit a switch and the injury healed. It was nothing like that,” Gostisbehere admitted.
“I think it was strictly confidence (that returned). I was put in the right situations, and that’s a big thing, too. I flourished, and I knew I was one of the best players on the ice.
When I know that, I think it really shows out there and it really helped our team, too. That’s the biggest thing for me – anything I can do, team-wise.”
Despite the drop in production, the Flyers signed Gostisbehere to a six-year. $27 million contract.
“We have a lot of young guys and we have a great group of veterans, a good core to show the young guys the way,” Gostisbehere said.
“I think it’s a big, big learning season for us obviously coming up, but again, we’re a team, and we think we can win the Stanley Cup. That’s our ultimate goal.”
