During the midst of the second round of the NHL draft, goaltender John Gibson was traded from the Anaheim Ducks to the Detroit Red Wings. In return, the Ducks received goaltender Petr Mrazek, along with a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
It seemed that Gibson’s name had been in trade rumors for several years, but that comes to an end with this transaction. The Ducks aren’t retaining any salary from Gibson in this trade, meaning the Red Wings will take on the netminder’s $6.4-million cap hit with two years remaining on his contract.
Gibson, 31, had his fair share of injuries last season, making 28 starts for the Ducks. That is the lowest amount of starts he has had in a season since the 2014-15 NHL season.
In those 28 starts and 29 appearances, Gibson recorded a 2.77 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage, ending the season with an 11-11-2 record.
Gibson stamped his name in the Ducks organization as one of the best goaltenders in the franchise, as he holds the title for most games played by a goalie with 506 and was just two wins shy of equalling Jean-Sebastien Giguere’s 206, the most in franchise history.
The Pittsburgh native has 26 games of playoff experience and will be looking to help the Red Wings get back to the post-season for the first time since 2016.
GM Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings have needed a true starting goaltender for several years. For the past five seasons, Ville Husso made the most appearances between the pipes for Detroit, posting a 36-32-11 record with a 3.26 GAA and a .892 SP during his two and a half seasons with the Red Wings before he was traded to the Ducks this past February.
As for Anaheim, they’re getting an experienced goalie in Mrazek. The Ducks will be his sixth team he’s suited up for in his 13-year career.
Last season, the 33-year-old suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Red Wings, totalling 38 starts between both clubs. He put up a 3.35 GAA, a .891 SP and a 12-21-2 record. Mrazek will likely be the backup goaltender for the promising 25-year-old Lukas Dostal in Anaheim.
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