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    Lyle Richardson
    Lyle Richardson
    Mar 24, 2023, 14:04

    The Anaheim Ducks have goaltender John Gibson signed for four more years. Some speculation suggests teams may try to acquire him in the off-season.

    The Anaheim Ducks have goaltender John Gibson signed for four more years. Some speculation suggests teams may try to acquire him in the off-season.

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    The Anaheim Ducks' current rebuilding program has prompted some pundits to ponder John Gibson's future with the club. 

    CapFriendly shows the 29-year-old goaltender has four more seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.

    On March 8, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported there are teams who still view Gibson as a difference-maker. He thinks the Ducks netminder would be open to a move to a playoff contender in the off-season. LeBrun said there could be clubs eliminated during the upcoming playoffs that could seek an upgrade in goal.

    Fast forward to March 22 when a reader asked NHL.com's Dan Rosen if this could be the summer the Ducks trade Gibson and where he might end up. He believes they're determining if Gibson is worth retaining to stabilize their rebuild or if he'd be more valuable as a trade chip.

    Rosen thinks the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres could be destinations for Gibson if the Ducks decide to shop him. A Pittsburgh native, he might welcome a move to his hometown if the Penguins decide to cut ties with pending free agent Tristan Jarry. The Sabres, meanwhile, could seek a replacement for 41-year-old Craig Anderson.

    The Penguins and Sabres each have over $19 million in cap space for 2023-24, so they can afford to take on Gibson's contract. The Ducks might be willing to retain part of his cap hit if they get an offer that helps them accelerate their rebuild.

    The Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators might also come calling. Whether Gibson would accept a trade to those clubs (or the Sabres) remains to be seen.