The Detroit Red Wings completed a trade on Saturday by acquiring veteran goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. This move could spark further trades across the NHL as several teams are in need of goaltending help. In exchange for Gibson, Detroit sent backup goalie Petr Mrazek, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-rounder to Anaheim. The trade did not involve any salary retention.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman expressed his excitement about adding Gibson to the team, stating that Gibson is eager to join Detroit. The decision was influenced by Anaheim’s strong young goaltender Lukas Dostal, prompting Gibson to seek a fresh start in Detroit where he will have the opportunity to play significant minutes.
Gibson, who is 31 years old, has played his entire career with Anaheim, starting 28 games last season compared to Dostal’s 49. Gibson is signed for two more seasons with a salary cap hit of $6.4 million. The trade discussions between Detroit and Anaheim began before the trade deadline in March, with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek recognizing Gibson’s desire for a new opportunity.
Following Gibson’s trade, other NHL teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers are expected to pursue goaltending options this offseason. The unrestricted free agent market for starting goaltenders is limited, with Jake Allen, Ilya Samsonov, Anton Forsberg, and Ville Husso among the notable available options.
In addition to the Gibson trade, there were several other minor trades and signings during Day 2 of the draft. Notable moves included the Calgary Flames extending Kevin Bahl to a six-year deal and the Winnipeg Jets signing Haydn Fleury to a two-year contract to strengthen their blue line depth.
