“Indeed, the Detroit Red Wings have a strong pool of goaltenders. However, it would be wise for them to consider trading for John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. Gibson remains an exceptionally skilled goalie and would become Detroit’s undisputed top choice if brought in. It’s unusual for a veteran’s future worth to surpass his current value, and the Red Wings should seize this chance before another team does. Here’s why.”
Gibson Would Provide Red Wings With Stability in Net
Firstly, Gibson’s contract extends through 2027. The Red Wings haven’t had a goalie play three straight seasons with the team since Jimmy Howard was in net.
Gibson brings stability beyond just his contract. Over the past five years, he’s started 63.8% of Anaheim’s games—about 52 per 82-game season. The plan was for Husso to take on a similar workload in 2023-24, but injuries disrupted that.
With Gibson in the mix and maintaining this level of play, Cam Talbot would get roughly 30 starts, which suits him well. It’s also a reasonable amount for Sebastian Cossa when he potentially joins the Red Wings full-time in 2025-26.
When it comes to performance, Gibson’s recent stats—like save percentage, goals-against average, and goals saved above expected—raise some questions. However, these stats can be influenced by the team’s overall play and don’t always reflect a goalie’s true talent.
A key stat to note is high-danger chances against (HDCA). Gibson faced 9.25 HDCA per 60 minutes in 2023-24, the third-highest in the NHL among goalies who played over 600 minutes, indicating he didn’t receive much support from his team.
Interestingly, Gibson’s save percentage on these high-danger chances was .820, matching Juuse Saros and slightly surpassing Sergei Bobrovsky. He ranks 26th out of 71 qualifying goalies in high-danger save percentage.
The talent is there; a stronger defense in front of Gibson could highlight his capabilities further.
Gibson Could Mentor Red Wings’ Cossa
When Gibson joined the league in 2014, he was a highly regarded prospect for the Ducks. At just 20 years old, he started playoff games ahead of established starter Jonas Hiller and fellow rookie Frederik Andersen, who won 20 of his 28 games that season.
Gibson’s skills enabled the Ducks to eventually move on from Hiller and trade Andersen. By the age of 23, he had solidified his role as Anaheim’s franchise goalie.
Now in 2024, Gibson is 31 and has been sharing the net with top prospect Lukas Dostal for the past two years.
At this point in his career, Gibson is ideally suited to mentor Sebastian Cossa. Having been a “goalie-of-the-future” and a high draft pick himself, Gibson understands the pressures involved. He would have at least two years to work alongside Cossa in Detroit, offering guidance similar to what he provided to Dostal.
Cossa will eventually become Detroit’s starting goalie, and having Gibson as a mentor will be an invaluable asset as he transitions into the role.
Final Word
The talent, stability, and mentorship that Gibson could bring to the organization make him too valuable to overlook. Detroit should prioritize acquiring the goaltender before the 2024-25 season begins.
A trade package consisting of Ville Husso (with a clean bill of health), a defensive prospect (such as William Wallinder, Albert Johansson, or Shai Buium), and a 2025 second-round pick should be sufficient. This offer strikes a balance between being fair for Gibson and a prudent risk for Detroit.
This plan would also require moving Talbot or buying him out—costing $833,334 for two seasons—after the 2024-25 season to make space for Cossa.
With Gibson in the lineup, the Red Wings’ goaltending could become a strength rather than a weakness, and he could be the final piece needed to build a playoff-caliber roster.
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