Gibson and the Ducks have had a mutual agreement to complete a trade for over a year, but nothing has come to fruition.
However, TSN network informant Pierre LeBrun writes in The Athletic that the emergence of Lukas Dostal could make the Ducks more motivated to trade Gibson this season. LeBrun adds that he believes the Ducks would be willing to assume part of the salary of Gibson, who is under contract until the end of next season with an average annual salary of $6.4 million.
LeBrun notes that the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes seem like obvious contenders, given their current goaltending situations. Unfortunately for the Ducks, he adds that the Avalanche are not currently focused on improving the position and are keeping their options open to potentially add an impact player at the trade deadline.
The Hurricanes are expected to be without Frederik Andersen long-term and have relied heavily on Pyotr Kochetkov in his absence. LeBrun notes that Gibson could provide an insurance policy if Kochetkov were to get injured as well.
The Edmonton Oilers could also be interested in Gibson’s services, but LeBrun writes that the goaltending position is not currently the focus of the Oilers, who could be looking for reinforcements on the blue line at The March 7 trade deadline is approaching.
Gibson began the season on November 10 after undergoing an appendectomy in late September. He started the year with a 3-0-0 record, a .906 save percentage and a 2.67 goals-against average. In his career, the 31-year-old goaltender has a record of 196-206-61 with a goals against average of 2.89 and a save percentage of .910.
Dostal, 24, has started 13 games this season, posting a 5-6-2 record with a .924 save percentage and 2.69 GAA. The 2018 third-round pick is in his fourth season with the Ducks, with a career record of 24-41-8, a 3.31 GAA and a .906 save percentage.
James Reimer replaced Dostal before Gibson’s return, but he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Buffalo Sabers afterward.
