Gibson Relishes Opportunity to Join Red Wings Mission

The only ice in John Gibson’s world were the cubes keeping his drink cold when he received the news that he was leaving the Anaheim Ducks after 12 years with the NHL team.

“I was actually in Cabo for a charity event… ready to head out on a boat,” Gibson said. “So it was an interesting time.”

The Red Wings gave up second- and fourth-round draft picks, plus Petr Mrazek in the Gibson trade. The deal was hardly shocking. Gibson played parts of 12 seasons in Anaheim, and it feels like he was linked to trade rumors for most his career. Many teams tried to pry Gibson away from the Ducks through the years, but Gibson had always wanted to stay in Detroit. But he knew it was finally time for him to take his career .910 save percentage elsewhere in search of new challenge.

“Very exciting. It’s tough being in one place for so long,” Gibson said. “You got to say bye to a lot of close friendships with people within the organization, outside the organization. But for me and my family, we’re really excited for the next chapter. I still feel like I have a lot left to prove and excited to get the season going and play. Hopefully we can get Detroit into the playoffs.”

This is an athlete who understands his mission. As much as fans wanted to see GM Steve Yzerman bring in a premium scorer to upgrade the offense, this trade could do more for the team than 30 more goals. His .910 save percentage, most of earned playing for below average teams, should bring improvement for a team that was tied for 20th place last season with a team .896 save percentage.

“John has historically, throughout his career, been a good goaltender,” GM Steve Yzerman said. “Anaheim went through a rebuilding process… They are coming out of that. We’re sitting here today banking that John has battled through that, that he’s going to be able to maintain a high level. And we like to think we’re solid team that’s moving forward, that he’ll be, he’ll be fine in this role. Like it’s, you know, I don’t want to say it’s, you know, we just think he’s a good goaltender. He’s the best option for us right now on what was available. And we’re, we’re hopeful and expecting him to, you know, to perform at a high level next year. Thank you, Steve. All right. Thank you, Steve.

Familiar With Michigan

Gibson is 29, and the Ducks have a younger goalie Lukas Dostal, 25, who is also playing at a higher level.

“John is looking for more opportunity to play, and we are counting on him giving us quality starts,” Yzerman said.

Gibson, a Pittsburgh native, knows the area because he played for the U.S. National Team Development Program when he was run out of Ann Arbor.

“As far as the team, I mean, you see how close they’ve been the last few years,” Gibson said. “Two years ago (making the playoffs) came down to the final game this season,” Gibson said.

Likes The Challenge

He says that shows the Red Wings are right there. “That’s where I want to be,” Gibson said. “I want to be fighting for the playoffs, getting in the playoffs. I truly feel that all you got to do is make it in the playoffs. And once you do that It’s a whole new season, whether you’re the President’s Trophy winner or the eight seed. You never know what could happen.”

You can tell players are excited about this move. Captain Dylan Larkin called Gibson when he was still on the boat in Cabo. “It was kind of crazy,” Gibson said.

He heard from goalie partner Cam Talbot who he knew only by playing against him. He knows Andrew Copp because they both have the same agent. Players know what Gibson’s arrival means. Even though he hasn’t had NHL playoff success, he owns a reputation of a high level goalkeeper.

“I’m super excited,” Gibson said. “It’s a new chapter, fresh start, kind of going in, excited to prove myself. I mean, I think it’s just an exciting opportunity. You get a team in an organization that really wants to get back in the playoff hockey. They’ve been so close for a couple years, and for me, just coming in, being a part of that, such a historic franchise, and just like with the new arena, it’s just really exciting time. I’m really privileged and honored to be coming in and be a part of it all.”