BREAKING: Red Wings Acquire Goalie Gibson From Ducks

John Gibson is going from being the longest tenured player on the NHL trade rumor list to being the Detroit Red Wings No. 1 goalie.

Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman announced the deal during the league’s televised draft coverage. Petr Mrazek is going to Anaheim in the deal, and the Ducks are to receive a second-round pick in 2027 and a fourth-rounder in 2026.

 “It became clear John wanted a new opportunity, and after many discussions with him we felt now was the right time to make this move,” Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek said. “John and his family became a major part of the community and their dedication to Orange County will leave a lasting impact. We wish John and his family all the best in their next chapter.”

Reasonable Price

Gibson has two years remaining on a deal with a $6.4 million salary cap. Moving Mrazek is a major help to Detroit because he has a $4.75 million salary cap hit for next season.  Cam Talbot will be Gibson’s backup next season.

One reason the Ducks can move Gibson is the strong play of Lukas Dostal, their 25-year-old Czech goalie.

Friedman reported earlier this week that the Red Wings were pushing to swing a deal to improve their goaltending.  Detroit was tied for 20th last season in team save percentage (.896) and ranked 21st with a 3.16 team GAA.

“Pat (Verbeek) and I had some discussions last season around the trade deadline,” Detroit GM Steve Yzerman told E.J. Hradek during NHL’s draft coverage on ESPN+. “John was dealing with some injuries at that time and so the timing of it didn’t really work. And just following leading up to the draft, as we all do our offseason work, we’ve had some discussions.”

Gibson Ready to Leave

Yzerman hadn’t talked to Gibson when he did that interview.

“I just actually placed a call into John. I haven’t talked to him yet,” Yzerman said. “But no, there was no need to convince him. Our understanding was he was looking . . . they have an excellent young goaltender in Dostal. John was looking for a fresh start and saw an opportunity in Detroit to get in the net and play a lot of games. So, I look forward to speaking with him and I’ve been assured he’s excited to come to Detroit and we’re excited to have him.”

John Gibson is comfortably the best goalie available. If the Red Wings are able to get him without giving up a 1st or top prospect that’s some tidy work.

— Brad Krysko WWP (@BradKrysko) June 28, 2025

Pittsburgh native Gibson is 31, and he boasts a 2.89 career goals-against average and .910 save percentage, playing primarily with a below average team.

Gibson has a reputation of being unlucky with regard to injuries. However, he has played 50 or more games in six of his last nine seasons, and 46 games in another. He played only 29 games last season, but had a 2.79 GAA and a .912 save percentage.