Elliotte Friedman and Pierre LeBrun have recently given their opinions on the trade market for goalies and Ducks' veteran John Gibson.
Elliotte Friedman and Pierre LeBrun have recently given their opinions on the trade market for goalies and Ducks' veteran John Gibson.
John Gibson has played three games since returning from emergency appendectomy surgery during training camp, which knocked him out of the Ducks' lineup for the team's first 13 games of the season.
Report: Teams Have Inquired About Gibson, Anaheim Uninterested in Retaining Salary
In his four starts this season, Gibson (31) has a 3-0-1 record, saved 107 of the 117 shots he's faced, and has saved 1.18 goals above expected.
Unless a team employs one of the truly elite few, the goaltending position is becoming increasingly volatile in the modern NHL and is treated as such when it comes to the landscape of the trade market.
On Wednesday, TSN and The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun speculated about Gibson's current trade market outlook.
Lebrun suggested the emergence of Lukas Dostal (24) could "further fuel the possibility of longtime starter John Gibson finding a new home before the March 7 trade deadline."
Statistically, Dostal has been a top-five goaltender this season. He has a 5-6-2 record, a .924 SV% while facing the most shots per 60 minutes (minimum of 10 games), saved 14.84 goals above expected, and tallied one shutout.
Going into the season, the Ducks' front office and coaching staff planned to run a tandem in net between Gibson and Dostal, going with a "hot hand" approach when necessary.
The Secret is Out: Lukas Dostal is Casually Incredible
Gibson's injury threw an early wrench in that plan, and Dostal was called upon to start 11 of the team's first 13 games. He made the most of the opportunity and can be considered an early-season Vezina candidate, but fear of "running him into the ground" would have been valid had he continued with that work rate.
Dostal is now in his sophomore NHL season after playing the most hockey in his career over the previous 12 months. He started 38 games and appeared in 44 in 2023-24 before leading Czechia to a World Championship gold medal in May, playing another eight games.
Asking Dostal to assume a full-time starter role at this point in his career may be too tall an order for the young netminder.
Ducks’ Lukáš Dostal Is Making Saves on and off the Ice
It's unlikely a Gibson trade materializes without an NHL-caliber goalie as a piece coming back Anaheim's way.
Lebrun speculated on several potential landing spots for Gibson should a trade manifest: Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and Edmonton Oilers were at the top of the list.
He later dismissed the possibilities of Colorado and Edmonton, stating both teams aren't currently interested in upgrading their goaltending position.
Hurricanes' goaltender and former Duck Frederik Andersen is scheduled to have knee surgery and is expected to miss 8-12 weeks, leaving some to question if they may look the Ducks' way and inquire about Gibson.
"But the one thing that the Hurricanes had kind of let people know was, 'We don't have to be pushed into anything because Andersen is due to come back.'" SportsNet's Elliotte Friedman reported on his "32 Thoughts" podcast on Friday.
Gibson's contract has been a main detractor for teams potentially interested in acquiring his services. He has two years remaining after 2024-25 with a cap hit of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.
Friedman reported Gibson was willing to expand his list to further increase the odds of a deal occurring.
How Recent Contract Extensions Potentially Impact Lukas Dostal's Next Deal
It has been reported and reiterated by Lebrun that the Ducks, Gibson, and his agent have agreed upon the desire to find Gibson a new home.
While the desire to acquiesce to Gibson's request is present from Pat Verbeek and the Ducks, they have shown they aren't willing to make a move they don't feel will improve their team.
The Ducks aren't anywhere near the salary cap ceiling, with over $25 million in space.
From their perspective, they have two goaltenders playing well and may feel trading one of them could create an unnecessary issue in net.
As the trade deadline approaches, the landscape changes and teams may become increasingly more desperate and more willing to meet an asking price they wouldn't in late Nov. A team would need to make a "Godfather" offer, one the Ducks can't refuse.
As much as all parties involved may like to get something done, the Ducks don't seem to be in much of a hurry and hold a considerable amount of leverage.