Ducks Trade Rumors: 5 teams linked to John Gibson offseason deal

With Lukas Dostal the goaltender of the future for the Anaheim Ducks, and with a push for a playoff spot next season, look for GM Pat Verbeek to move goaltender John Gibson this summer. 

It will free up significant cap space for the Ducks, and give them a chance to add to their forward group, which is littered with young promising players. Gibson has been a staple for the Ducks, a second-round pick in 2011. Last season, Gibson appeared in 29 games for the Ducks, posting a 11-11-2 record, with a 2.73 goals against average, and an impressive .912 save percentage.

Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin recently linked a Gibson summertime deal to five teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Larkin had this to say about a potential 'homecoming' for Gibson and the Penguins:

Gibson is a Pittsburgh native, so a trade there would represent a homecoming. Even if the Pens shouldn’t be attempting anything resembling competitive hockey right now, it’s difficult for them to bottom out while Sidney Crosby is still around, so a Gibson trade could help remedy a major area of weakness. The Tristan Jarry era is done after a roller coaster of a 2024-25 season that included him repeatedly allowing goals on the opening shot of a game, getting demoted to the AHL and, later, being waived and clearing.

Gibson is under contract through the 2026-27 season at $6.4 million AAV. He owns a 10-team no-trade clause, so he has some say in the matter. The 31-year-old goaltender awaits his fate with the NHL Draft looming. If Gibson isn't dealt by the second week of July, look for him to be staying put in Anaheim next season.

Photo credit:  Steve Roberts-Imagn Images