Ron Hextall: Shayne Gostisbehere exceeding expectations

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Flyers general manager Ron Hextall addressed his team's injury situation Sunday afternoon and he also took a step back to look at the progress of rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

Called up from Lehigh Valley in mid-November to replace Mark Streit, who was out long term with a pubic plate dislocation, Gostisbehere immediately ascended to the No. 1 power play.

And then took off.

No one could have foreseen the kind of impact the 22-year-old is having with the Flyers, who were five points out of the second wild-card spot as of Sunday night.

“The day before we called him up, we saw him up there and he played a pretty good game,” Hextall said. “I don’t think at that point you could say he was ready to take charge like he has. It’s been a little bit unique, which has been great for us. He’s done a great job.”

Gostisbehere is fifth among all rookies with 34 points and leads all rookie defensemen in that department. Among rookies, he is 11th in goals (12), fourth in assists (22), tied for first in power-play goals (6) and first in power play assists (12) and power-play points (18).

“When he came in, the first power play was basically there for him because of Mark’s injury,” Hextall said. “He took advantage of it and he’s done a good job. Things have gone well for him. There’s no doubt about it. He’s helped us as a team. No doubt."

Hextall admitted Gostisbehere has exceeded everyone’s expectations.

“Yeah, that’s fair to say,” Hextall said. “He was probably put in a position where he would not have been put in if Mark was there. Quite honestly, he has played better here than he probably did in the minors.”

Loose pucks
Nothing has changed with regards to the Feb. 29 trade deadline. Hextall reiterated the team will not be buyers unless there is something extraordinary that helps them now and in the future. … Hextall said there was no rush to begin contract talks with Brayden Schenn, saying that can wait until the offseason.

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