Gibson To Oilers Is A Real Possibility Now

The Edmonton Oilers are one of the teams most desperate to change their goaltending with an upgrade. They definitely aren't the only ones looking, but Edmonton may have found their answer in a goalie that they should have or could have been looking at for years now. John Gibson would be willing to accept a trade to the Oilers now according to David Pagnotta.

The Oilers give anyone a great chance to win. They have the best and another top-5 player in the world while finishing within 1-2 wins of the Stanley Cup two years in a row. Edmonton has too much skill to not think that they will be back, but they need goaltending. Even if Gibson isn't the clear starter, he has put up great numbers throughout his career, especially on teams that aren't horribly bad in front of him.

Gibson isn't the clear starter on the Anaheim Ducks, so going to a place like Edmonton would at least give him more of a chance to start more and win sooner. Stuart Skinner has been shaky even though he has upside and when he's on, he's great. The 31-year-old Gibson has finished six of his 10 seasons in the NHL over a .910 SV%. That is exactly what the Oilers need. A few more saves and they would've broken Canada' Stanley Cup drought.

The Oilers are the best team that is desperate for a goalie. Gibson has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $6.4 million. The Ducks, having $34 million in projected cap space, would easily be able to retain half because that is what the Oilers are going to need.

When the Ducks were good, Gibson put up elite numbers and even had some votes for the Vezina Trophy in a couple of seasons. The veteran bounced back in a huge way this season, not only because Anaheim was a little better, but maybe due to the competition in net now. In the position the Oilers are in, I wouldn't be worried about draft picks or certain prospects if the Ducks want a sizeable return for Gibson. He could be the best option the Oilers will get this offseason to upgrade goaltending, and if he goes elsewhere, Edmonton won't have another chance at him for two years at him.