Four potential trade destinations for star netminder John Gibson
In what seems to have become an annual tradition, John Gibson has once again found himself in trade rumours as the NHL’s deadline day looms.
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In what seems to have become an annual tradition, John Gibson has once again found himself in trade rumours as the NHL’s deadline day looms.
We’ve seen this movie before. Since emerging as one of the game’s best netminders through the first half-decade of his career in Anaheim, Gibson’s name has taken a fair few turns through the rumour mill over the latter half of his tenure, as the Ducks tumbled to the NHL’s basement and his chances to play post-season hockey dried up.
Clubs have kicked the tires on a Gibson trade here and there over the years, but nothing has materialized to this point. The Pittsburgh product’s play in recent seasons has played a role, as Gibson’s numbers have fallen in each of the past three campaigns. This season, though, there are signs that a change of scenery may actually be coming for the veteran.
For one, the 31-year-old seems to have found his game. His .915 save percentage is the best mark Gibson’s put up since 2018-19, the last year he earned some fringe Vezina attention. Per MoneyPuck, he ranks sixth in the league in Goals Saved Above Expected, after finishing among the worst league-wide a season ago. That rounding back into form has a couple contenders mulling a move to bring the former All-Star to town. And with Lukas Dostal emerging as a worthy successor to the Ducks’ No. 1 duties, it seems the Californian club is more open to sending Gibson on to his next chapter.
There are still a few obstacles to navigate, though. A new upper-body injury could derail a potential deal, though Gibson’s coach insists the ailment is a minor one and the netminder is expected back soon. There’s also the matter of what exactly Gibson wants for the next stage of his big-league career — the long-time Duck has a modified no-trade clause on the eight-year pact he signed back in 2018 (allowing him to submit a 10-team no-trade list), which carries a $6.4-million cap hit for two more seasons after this one.
All that in mind, where might Gibson end up by the time the March 7 deadline is in the books?
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THE REALISTIC OPTIONS
Why it might happen: Fresh off a Stanley Cup Final run that brought Connor McDavid’s club agonizingly close to the championship summit, the Oilers are hungry to get back there again, and make good on the do-over. But goaltending has long seemed an area in which the club could improve, and 2024-25 has been a similar story on that front, with starter Stuart Skinner quietly called out by his coach just two days ago. Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Edmonton is one of Gibson’s two preferred landing spots, and the opportunity to link up with the game’s best player, perhaps bring some stability to the net, and potentially go on a run, is sure to pique the veteran netminder’s interest.
Why it might not happen: The other key point made by Friedman was that Gibson’s desire is to land somewhere where he’ll be the clear-cut No. 1 option, where he’ll be the guy. That would be a complicated ask in Edmonton, where Skinner has planted his flag as the Oilers starter. A rotation between the two would likely be the way forward, at least to start — unless the 26-year-old Skinner were moved out as part of the deal, which makes a potential Gibson trade an even bigger decision to consider.
Why it might happen: The Canes are Gibson’s other preferred spot, per Friedman. For a star looking for a new club, the appeal is clear — Carolina has seemed on the cusp of playoff greatness for years, the thinking being they’ve been just a piece or two away from making some real noise. The club’s brass has taken bigger swings to move the needle of late, too, acquiring Jake Guentzel for a spell last season and bringing in Mikko Rantanen this time around. Their goaltending could use an upgrade if they want to piece together a meaningful run in 2025 — Pyotr Kochetkov has been good, but not incredible, and Frederik Andersen has dealt with enough injury issues during his Canes tenure that he can’t necessarily be banked on for a stretch run. Enter, Gibson.
Why it might not happen: As with Edmonton, it’s unclear whether a move to Raleigh would give Gibson the clear-cut No. 1 opportunity he desires, unless another move were made to send one of the Canes’ current netminders out of town. Past that, while Carolina’s established themselves as a contender over the years, they haven’t exactly shown an ability to put it all together come playoff time, falling in the second round in four of the past five efforts. Not to mention, the Canes are also dealing with some financial stresses already, having traded for Rantanen and now mulling the need to move him again if they can’t agree on an extension. Would they add Gibson — who currently makes more than both their netminders combined — to that mix? Or does it become a more complicated deal, with significant salary retention needed?
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THE LONGSHOTS
Why it might happen: Utah is still in the thick of their hunt for post-season hockey in Year 1 of their relocation, sitting just two points out of a wild-card spot in the West. Karel Vejmelka has held it down in the cage to this point, but while solid, he hasn’t exactly been elite for the Hockey Club. The real hinge point, though, is what happens with Vejmelka’s extension talks — if the team isn’t able to hammer out a deal before the deadline, could they elect to move the Czech netminder and bring in a veteran star in Gibson, who’s signed for another two seasons?
Why it might not happen: Gibson has some control over where he ends up, and while there could be some excitement in a move to Utah, where the organization and the city are enjoying the buzz that comes with beginning a new chapter of league history, would a trade to a bubble team move the needle for Gibson? He seems to want to join a team that could give him a chance at a deep playoff run — even if they make it into the playoffs, Utah doesn’t seem to be that.
Why it might happen: It’s by far the most unlikely option of the bunch. Still, Pittsburgh desperately needs improved goaltending, as the club’s allowing the second-most goals per game in the league. Kyle Dubas has already taken some odd swings as he balances this transition period for the Penguins, as seen in the decision to acquire Erik Karlsson when he first landed in Pittsburgh. Would Dubas opt for another similar roll of the dice to stabilize his goaltending and give the club a chance to at least fight for a wild-card spot over the next couple seasons, while Sidney Crosby is still in Penguins colours? For Gibson, a turn in black-and-gold certainly wouldn’t offer a clear chance at a deep run — or playoff hockey at all — but if his preferred options fall through, might suiting up for his hometown club appeal to the Pittsburgh native?
Why it might not happen: While Dubas has swung big to try to help the Pens win a little bit right now, his recent run of business suggests a focus on setting them up to win later. And while the club has a clear need in net, it’s very unlikely Pittsburgh moves any future assets to acquire a 31-year-old player, even if it is a homegrown talent who could help fix a significant issue. The stars would have to align for it to make sense for either party — it’s clear Edmonton or Carolina are a far better fit — but if we’re talking wild longshots, a Pittsburgh homecoming would be an intriguing late-career plot twist for Gibson.
