The Detroit Red Wings have plenty of trade candidates on their roster, but there's one in particular that's especially intriguing.
No, it isn't Dylan Larkin. Nor is it Simon Edvinsson. It's John Gibson. The Red Wings' starting netminder is on his last year of his contract, carrying a $6.4M/year cap hit. Last season, he finished the year off with a .901 save percentage and a 2.72 goals against average. Decent numbers for a starting goaltender -- even better when you consider how poor the offense was in front of him.
What's especially intriguing about Gibson, though, has less to do with him and more to do with a potential destination.
The New York Rangers lost former Vezina-winning goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the season after the starting netminder went down with a non-contact injury. He'll return in the 2027-28 season, but, in the meantime, the Rangers are running with Dylan Garand and Joonas Korpisalo -- two backup goaltenders that, in all likelihood, won't be able to carry much of the workload.
The Rangers are currently 5-2-0, good for second in the Metropolitan Division. Could this be a match made in heaven between Gibson and New York?
Why the Red Wings should trade Gibson
The Red Wings almost certainly will trade John Gibson at some point this season. He's far too valuable as a starter that can handle the lions' share of the net. To top it all off, he's more than capable of playing at a high level, leading the NHL in shutouts and save percentage for multiple months of the 2025-26 season.
Teams seeking the playoffs often seek upgrades wherever they can, and goaltending is no exception. Gibson is an ideal fit for a team like the Rangers or Edmonton Oilers, both of whom are in desperate need of some help between the pipes.
To top it all off, Grand Rapids Griffins starter Michal Postava is on a tear through the AHL right now, picking up right where he left off last season. After usurping Sebastian Cossa's role as starter and playing his way into a record season for the Griffins, Postava has shown no signs of slowing down to start off this year of the AHL. He almost certainly will see NHL ice time, but the question is when more than if.
This deal could be a win for all parties. For Gibson, it gives him a shot to chase the Stanley Cup he's sought his entire career. For the Rangers, it's an opportunity to recoup something from the devastating loss of Shesterkin. For Postava, it's a chance to make his NHL dreams come true. And, of course, for the Red Wings, it's a chance to secure assets with Gibson on his way out.
The asking price for Gibson
Now, in more realistic terms, it's not likely GIbson will command a massive return. He's off to a bit of a slow start right now with a 1-3-0 record, though Gibson has historically been a little slow in October. That said, if the Red Wings can convince Gibson to ensure the Rangers aren't on his 10 team no-trade list - and if they can retain some salary on his contract - there's a likelihood they can recoup a pick as high as the second round.
The Rangers currently possess the Boston Bruins' second round pick in 2027 and could easily ask for it in return for Gibson. If they wanted to go another route and look for NHL talent, they wouldn't be faulted for asking around about center Will Cuylle, though the Red Wings may need to reframe the trade a bit if they're hoping to secure the 24-year-old.
No matter the price, Gibson and the Rangers seem like a match made in heaven.
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