Shayne Gostisbehere Inks Six-Year Extension

Another piece of the Flyers’ puzzle is in place, although it’s one anyone could have seen from a mile away.

The only question was how expensive the piece was and for Shayne Gostisbehere, the Calder Trophy runner-up who had an up-and-down sophomore season, it’s a reasonable value.

Friday the 24-year-old defenseman inked a six-year contract worth $27 million.

“I’m excited to have Shayne under contract,” general manager Ron Hextall said. “We all know his upside. We’ve seen it. And again, he’s a very good young defenseman and certainly fits into our vision moving forward here.”

Gostisbehere was a restricted free agent, so the Flyers weren’t really at risk of losing him anytime soon. Still, the third-round pick in 2012 represents the team’s youth movement, especially on defense.

Ivan Provorov made the team last year as a 19-year-old and the two vacancies on the Flyers’ blueline are expected to be filled with some combination of prospects Sam Morin, Robert Hagg, Travis Sanheim and/or Phil Myers.