The John Gibson era in Anaheim has ended. The longest-tenured player in the organization after Cam Fowler was dealt to the St. Louis Blues last December, Gibson was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday in exchange for goaltender Petr Mrázek, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Anaheim did not retain any salary.
This deal signals the Ducks handing the reins over to Lukáš Dostál, their young goaltender who set consecutive career-highs in wins and games played. Dostál is also a restricted free agent and while it was always likely that he would receive a long-term offer, this trade confirms that likelihood.
For Gibson, this trade is an opportunity to be a No. 1 goaltender again, something that the Red Wings desperately needed. There have been concerns about Gibson's injury history, which is perhaps why he wasn't moved at the trade deadline this past season. But when he was healthy, Gibson had one of his best performances in recent years during the 2024-25 season. If he can continue that standard of play in 2025-26.
In Mrázek (33), Anaheim is getting a veteran who can be dependable in a backup role. Dostál's teammate at the international level, his two-year, $4.25 AAV deal expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Mar 24, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek (43) warms up before a game against the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesGibson concludes his Ducks career as the franchise leader in games played and saves, coming just three wins shy of passing Jean-Sébastien Giguère's for first on the franchise wins leaderboard. Making his mark as a 20-year-old goaltender with a shutout in his NHL debut, Gibson formed a formidable goaltending tandem with Frederik Andersen. The pair won the William M. Jennings Trophy in 2016 and Gibson backstopped the Ducks in several playoff series.
The back half of Gibson's Ducks career will likely be remembered as a mixed bag, with the team nosediving into mediocrity while Gibson's workload perhaps became so overbearing to the point where he was tasked to do much more than he needed or had to do. His typically calm demeanor made his outbursts of emotion entertaining for fans and media alike.
In the same week, the Ducks have traded both Trevor Zegras and John Gibson, further emphasizing the new era that they are ushering in with players like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Dostál.
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Featured image caption: Nov 15, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) defends the goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images