They say history has a funny way of repeating itself – an adage that would apply to the Toronto Maple Leafs if they acquired another starting goaltender from the Anaheim Ducks.
In this case, we’re talking about John Gibson. As you may remember, it was Gibson who pushed out Frederik Andersen in June of 2016 after a year of platooning together.
Andersen was very solid during the 2015-16 season (2.30 GAA, .919 SV% through 43 GP), but Gibson was better (2.07 GAA, .920 SV% through 40 GP) and younger making Freddy expendable.
The Maple Leafs finished last in their division during the 2015-16 season, despite receiving solid goaltending from James Reimer (and just OK goaltending from Jonathan Bernier).
On June 20th, 2016, Toronto acquired Andersen in exchange for a first-round pick (30th overall) in the 2016 draft and a second-round pick in the 2017 draft. He was signed to a five-year, $25M contract and has been the starter ever since.
Fast-forward to the present. Significant changes have been made throughout the Maple Leafs’ lineup, yet the goaltending situation remains more-or-less the same.
The organization has undoubtedly been pleased with Andersen’s play during the last four seasons – despite his penchant for allowing soft goals in do-or-die playoff games.
Regardless of how Freddy plays this season, it’s his contract year. Finding enough space to re-sign him under the salary cap could be a tricky venture depending on the desired term/asking price.
But if not Andersen, then who? There are a couple of goalies who could be had via trade, for the right price.
The Leafs have naturally been linked to multiple goaltenders as rumors continue to swirl, but Gibson isn’t a name that is often circulated. In a lot of ways, he would be a great fit.
Anaheim missed the playoffs both last season and the season before. Big changes could be on the way if the organization decides to officially enter a rebuild.
Do the Ducks have to play for the Stanley Cup for GM Bob Murray to keep his job? No. Do they have to make playoffs? @icemancometh isn’t sure.
That’s one of the big questions the Ducks face heading into next season.
https://t.co/1Le7zfF4lG
— The Athletic L.A. (@TheAthleticLA) November 2, 2020
Ducks’ GM Bob Murray has consistently stated that Anaheim is ‘retooling’ and not ‘rebuilding’, but they seem light-years away from being a playoff team.
Gibson comes with a wealth of accolades, especially considering he’s only been a true starter for four seasons. In 2015-16, he earned a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team as well as the Jennings trophy. He has also finished in the top-10 of Vezina trophy voting on two separate occasions.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Anaheim’s biggest problem has been waiting on the development of key prospects including Max Comtois, Sam Steel, and Max Jones. That, combined with inconsistent all-around production from the roster in general, has really set this team back.
Gibson is now 27 years old and could be on the backend of his prime before the Ducks are competitive again, so perhaps both sides are ready to part ways. The Pittsburgh native signed an 8-year, $51.2M deal ($6.4M AAV) that began last season.
In year three of the contract (2021-22), a modified no-trade clause kicks in; therefore, Anaheim only has so much time before dealing him becomes a lot more difficult.
Some may look at Gibson’s numbers from last season and worry (20-26-5 record with a 3.00 GAA and a .904 SV% over 51 games), but keep in mind that the Ducks were awful last season. Gibson’s career averages (2.53 GAA, .918 SV%) are far more reflective of the goaltender he actually is.
Acquiring him for the right price is certainly within the realm of possibility. A potential return would likely include something along the lines of Andersen, Alex Kerfoot, and a couple of draft picks (with at least one being within the top two rounds of a future draft).
Kerfoot would immediately become a key player in the Ducks’ top-six – a forward corps where Adam Henrique (26 goals and 43 points through 71 games) led the squad in scoring last season.
Andersen would provide a stop gap starting option, giving Anaheim another season to figure out their crease.
Anaheim currently has very little depth in goal (they don’t even have a backup signed at this point) so it’s not likely they are actively looking to shop Gibson at this very moment. With that being said, Ducks’ prospect Lukas Dostal has been excelling in the Finnish Elite League and could help to push the anti.
Anaheim also looks poised for a couple more losing seasons, so the time to sell high would be now. Especially since Gibson’s play will likely regress in the last 1-2 years of the deal.
The plausibility of such a deal ever happening truly depends on how competitive the Ducks view themselves, as a team, going forward.
They may be better off recouping assets now instead of wasting Gibson’s prime years/peak trade value. Especially given the emergence of Dostal.
It’s pretty early still, but with Lukas Dostal absolutely dominating Liiga and being increasingly called one of the NHL’s elite goalie prospects, it might be time to start wondering if John Gibson should be traded soon
— CJ Woodling (@CJWoodling) October 27, 2020
The post Gibson Could Solidify Maple Leafs’ Goaltending Future appeared first on Full Press Hockey.
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 231: Sons of Dynasty Draftsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 9:28 pm
-
Ep 230: Early Rookie Draft Seasonby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
-
Ep 229: Fantasy Fallout From the NFL Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 10:52 pm
-
Ep 228: Pre-NFL Draft Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 2:52 am
-
5/11 - Patriots Depth Chart, Contract Issues, Smoked Meat, and Ernie Adams With Matt Chathamby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Matt Chatham joins Steve, Murph, and Clare to talk Patriots depth chart, […]
-
5/4 - Good, Bad, and Ugly From NFL Draft With Evan Lazarby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Evan Lazar of CLNS Media joins Steve, Murph, and Claire to recap the […]
-
Celtics Rebound In Game Two; Series Heads To Bostonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am
Ian and John discuss the Celtics big game two win over the Heat as the […]
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning and their 2-0 series lead […]
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning's quest for a third-straight […]
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics game seven win over the Bucks and Jayson […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's post-retirement contract with Fox to […]
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and Bucks upcoming game six, Joel Embiid […]
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Ian and John talk Celtics/Bucks and the NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's new […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 226by Talkamania on May 16, 2022 at 11:23 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 225by Talkamania on April 2, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 183 "The Streets Been Waiting"by Boot 2 The Face on May 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Sponsored by athleticgreens.com/EMERGING
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 182 "Mr. Toni Storm"by Boot 2 The Face on May 2, 2022 at 12:30 am
Marty and Rucker here again talking baseball, new action figures and the […]
-
Ep 9: Wildly Early Predictions Of The 2022 Patriots Scheduleby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:24 am
-
Ep 114: Paul Londonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep 131: Packers Fan Series with LosDeeMixby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 8:49 pm
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
-
The Game talks about Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom as well as Yankees and ROY Talkby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:04 pm
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
-
Ep 231: Sons of Dynasty Draftsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 9:28 pm
-
Episode 48 Criss Partee Analysis and reaction to Game 1s of the NBA Conference Finalsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 6:50 am
-
Ep. 253: Storm Rolls Into Atlantaby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 12:50 am
-
Celtics Rebound In Game Two; Series Heads To Bostonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
Laughable. Actually didn’t read the entire article because the notion is nonsense.