Shayne Gostisbehere has wasted no time becoming one of the driving forces behind Carolina’s strong start to the 2026-27 season.
The Hurricanes are piling up wins early, and Gostisbehere is right in the middle of it. The veteran defenseman has been an offensive engine for Carolina at five-on-five and on the power play, with 18 goals for at 5v5 and 11 more on the man advantage. In all, nearly half of the team’s goals this season have come with him on the ice, as Carolina has scored 29 of its 64 goals in his minutes.
“He’s an offensive-minded player with a high skill level in that regard,” said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour. “He thinks the game on offense all the time. When you give players like him room, he’s as good as it gets.”
That kind of impact has become familiar since Gostisbehere arrived in Carolina. In 165 games with the Hurricanes, he has produced 25 goals and 117 points, and he doesn’t look like a player slowing down.
There was some reason for caution last season, though. By this point in the year, Gostisbehere had already missed nearly 11 games, and he ultimately sat out 27 regular-season contests. Even so, when he was available, he stayed in the middle of the action and finished with 13 goals and 50 points in 55 games, a pace that was close to a point per game.
“I feel good,” Gostisbehere said. “Obviously getting a little older, so you have to some things a little differently, take care of the body a little more, but I feel good.”
The numbers behind his start this season are even more eye-catching. Gostisbehere is leading the league in total chance share, with Carolina controlling 65% of the five-on-five chances while he’s on the ice.
That kind of production is no accident. The Hurricanes have used him in favorable spots, and he’s made the most of them.
He isn’t being asked to take on the toughest matchups, but Carolina also doesn’t need him to. He has been given far more offensive-zone starts than defensive-zone starts - four times as many, in fact - and he has delivered almost every time.
He’s been on the ice for nearly every important offensive moment, and when Carolina needs a goal, he’s one of the players they can lean on. He can also move up the lineup if the situation calls for it.
That makes the next contract conversation worth watching. Gostisbehere has been a strong value on his three-year deal with a $3.2 million AAV, but his production, along with the rising cap, figures to put him in line for a much bigger payday.
“I’m in no rush,” Gostisbehere said about playing this year out on an expiring deal. “If they want to talk, we can talk, but I’d say we’re just taking it easy and seeing how the season goes. Obviously it was a short summer for all of us, so just taking it day-by-day.”
He’ll be 34 when he signs his next deal, but if he keeps producing the way he has, he’ll remain a highly sought-after player. And for Carolina, keeping him around will be the obvious priority.
In Other News...
Hurricanes Present The Islanders Test That Could Change Everything
The Islanders are getting a familiar kind of early-season measuring stick on Nov. 5 at UBS Arena, with Carolina bringing the sort of relentless pressure that can expose any team still trying to settle in. Peter DeBoer has already pointed to the Hurricanes style as the central challenge, and for New York that means more than just surviving shifts in its own end. It means handling the pace, staying composed under pressure, and finding enough structure to turn defense into something usable at the other end.
Semyon Varlamov is expected to get the start in goal, giving the Islanders a veteran presence in a game where every mistake can snowball quickly. With both lineups taking shape and the standings still early enough to swing in a hurry, this one has the feel of a test that could say a lot about where New York really stands against one of the leagues more demanding opponents. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Face One Last Test Before Finland After Flat Nashville Loss
A flat loss in Nashville left Carolina with a little extra urgency heading into its final stop before Finland, and the road test against the Islanders now carries more weight than a typical pre-trip game. The Hurricanes want a cleaner performance before shifting their focus overseas for games against the Seattle Kraken, and they have at least some encouraging injury news as they try to get back on track.
Taylor Hall may be available for Carolina, a potential boost as the lineup starts to take shape again. The Islanders, meanwhile, are dealing with several absences of their own, which adds another layer to a matchup that already has a different feel with travel looming. Matthew Schaefer is one name to watch for Carolina, while Anthony Duclair gives New York another player who can swing the tone of the night. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes About To Test The Islanders Most Unexpected Spark
The Islanders come out of a four-day break with a matchup that should fit their usual defensive script, and it comes against a Carolina team that has been just as stingy in its own end. With both clubs ranking near the top in goals allowed per game, this has the feel of a game where space will be hard to find and every shift will matter.
One of the more interesting pieces for New York has been Victor Eklund, the top prospect who has quickly earned a regular role by bringing an aggressive edge to the lineup. Head coach Peter DeBoer has praised the way Eklund plays, and his presence gives the Islanders a different kind of energy as they head into a test against a Hurricanes team that rarely makes anything easy. [Read more 🡒]