The Edmonton Oilers are making a serious push to acquire Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson as they gear up for a deep playoff run. The Oilers have had their eye on Gibson for months, and with the trade deadline approaching, talks are heating up.
According to The Fourth Period trade watch, the Ducks appear willing to retain some of Gibson’s $6.4 million cap hit if it means getting a solid return for their longtime netminder.
Trade Watch List 3.0: New names added after Friday & Saturday’s moves https://t.co/v2bs37Zx5d
— The Fourth Period (@TFP) February 2, 2025
Goaltending has been a hot topic in Edmonton all season. While Stuart Skinner has had strong stretches, it is clear the Oilers need a more proven presence in net to help secure another trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Hockey analyst Allan Mitchell (“Lowetide”) previously reported that general manager Stan Bowman has been creative in improving the roster without giving up key assets, but goaltending remains a major question mark.
Oilers might send Calvin Pickard to Anaheim if need be
If the Oilers do land Gibson, they’ll likely need to send a goalie back to Anaheim. The Ducks’ backup, Lukas Dostal, is ready to take over the starting job, which means the return package could include either Calvin Pickard or Skinner himself. With Skinner set to become a free agent, the Oilers must decide whether to pair him with Gibson in a tandem or move on entirely.
Gibson, now 31, has been with the Ducks his entire career but has long been rumored to want a change of scenery. Anaheim has fallen in the standings in recent years, and insiders believe Gibson is eager to join a contender. His numbers have rebounded this season despite the Ducks’ struggles—so far he has posted a .912 save percentage, a 2.78 GAA, and an 8-9-2 record in 22 games for Anaheim.
With the NHL trade deadline set for Mar. 7, the Oilers will need to act fast. Bowman is expected to continue evaluating options over the next couple of weeks, especially as teams start dropping out of the playoff race and become more open to dealing.
Whether Edmonton opts for a blockbuster move or a smaller goaltending addition, one thing is clear—if they want to win a Stanley Cup, they’ll need a rock-solid netminder in backup to go all the way.
Recent Posts