Under-The-Radar Free Agent Destination For Shayne Gostisbehere

Shayne Gostisbehere may hit free agency this summer if the Detroit Red Wings don't come to an agreement on a new contract with him. They are one of the leading contenders for where the offensive defenseman will play next season, but another destination makes a good amount of sense as well.

A team that was lacking offense, especially from the blueline this season, was the Minnesota Wild. There is still not a ton of money to go around for one more season, so the team has to be smart. But the Wild still have to be given the best chance to compete and do well this season because they aren't going to be a bottom-5 team and get a franchise changing draft pick either.

The Wild are definitely moving on from Alex Goligoski and most likely parting with Dakota Mermis in free agency, so there are spots to fill. Declan Chisholm isn't that experienced on the third pairing and Minnesota could get a better player than Zach Bogosian on the other side as well while Jon Merrill averaged just 12:46 through 65 games this season.

Gostisbehere can generate offense, but isn't a minute-eater or needs to be. He can continue playing on the third pairing at 5-on-5 and then get power play time to boost those numbers. He excels in an offensive role like that and recorded 10 goals and 56 points this season, 29 of which were on the power play.

If the Wild can agree on a deal with Gostisbehere for one year at a fair price, they would have all season to negotiate a longer deal with him starting in 2025-26 when the money really opens up and they can afford a lot of upgrades.

Gostisbehere would have a chance to play in Minnesota because Jake Middleton is slotted in as the first pairing LD and averaged under 20 minutes a night this season. There would be as much or more playing time as Gostisbehere had in Detroit, so he has a couple of strong options to choose from this season if either really wants him.