Nothing like being a rookie defenseman making your NHL debut against Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.
Baptism by fire!
That's what unfolds tonight when Shayne Gostisbehere enters the Flyers lineup for his official NHL regular season debut against the Detroit Red Wings.
Here's what players were saying this morning:
Defenseman Nicklas Grossmann:
“He’s a guy who played well and practiced hard and do all the things right. He had a good camp and played well for us. He’s a crafted player. Just the way he moves on his skates … to be that mobile. He sees the ice really well. He’s impressive to watch. He’s good with the puck. He snaps it around out there.
" I thought he had a really good camp and played great games and i’m excited for him to come in. I almost remember the feeling like yesterday my first crack at it. Enjoy it. It’s going to be a memory for the rest of his life."
Coach Craig Berube on pairing him with Luke Schenn:
"I had to move [Nick] Schultz to the right side. It’s just a matter of right and left, stuff like that. Certain guys are comfortable on the right side who shoot left, certain guys aren’t. And I want to put them in the best position to be successful."
Defenseman Mark Streit:
“It’s all about having fun out there and enjoying the moment. Playing against Detroit in your first NHL game. It doesn’t get any better than that.
“I’m excited to see him out there. He had a great camp. It was fun to watch him. It’s fun to watch a guy in his first NHL game.”
"Ghost" himself on the moment at hand:
“Preaseason was a learning process for me. It’s nice that you get confidence you can play, but again there were some things that I needed to clean up and I wasn’t too surprised when they sent me down to Lehigh Valley.
"With injuries happening, they call your number up, you’ve got to give it your best. They’re not looking for you to do too much out there, just give quality minutes."
On playing against Datsyuk or Zetterberg on video games vs. the real thing:
Playing Wings stars on video games
"It’s going to be a little different. I’m sure we’ve all YouTubed Datsyuk’s amazing goals on the computer. It’s going to be an eye opener when you’re faced off against him out there."
For more on the Flyers, check out CSNPhilly.com:
click here 
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»