When the Detroit Red Wings acquired John Gibson in the offseason, the expectation was that they had found their next starting goaltender. However, after a disastrous debut with the team, that plan may be on hold for the foreseeable future.
Gibson allowed five goals on just 13 shots and was pulled late in the second period of the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens. Cam Talbot, last season’s starter for Detroit, came in relief and stopped all four shots he faced.
Many assumed Gibson had simply suffered through a rough outing and would be back in net for the Red Wings’ next game against the Toronto Maple Leafs two days later. Instead, Talbot got the nod and made 23 saves in a 6–3 victory.
Would Gibson return between the pipes for Detroit’s 3–2 win over Toronto on Monday? Nope. He was benched again. It’s now clear that head coach Todd McLellan is sending a message. Gibson’s disastrous debut was enough for him to lose the starting job, and he’ll have to earn it back.
Possible Disaster?
While it seems likely that Gibson will eventually regain his form—he is a multi-time All-Star, after all—there’s always the element of the unknown. What if he can’t snap out of this slump? What’s the next move?
Sending Gibson down to the AHL isn’t exactly an ideal option. Do you really want to pay $6.4 million to a goaltender playing in the minors? If his struggles persist, Detroit would have to find a way to move him one way or another. Some may call this overreacting, but it’s prudent planning.
Just as a government war planner always has a contingency strategy in case things go sideways, a major sports organization has to do the same. If Gibson continues to falter, tough questions will need to be asked—and tough decisions will need to be made.
Of course, the hope is that Gibson returns to being the steady, high-level goaltender he’s been in the past. Because let’s be honest: Talbot isn’t a long-term solution. He’s played exceptionally well in his first two games, but there’s a reason Detroit sought to acquire another goalie in the offseason. Talbot is nearing 40, and while he handled a bigger role admirably last season, Father Time remains undefeated.
Another factor the Red Wings need to consider is Gibson’s confidence
This is completely uncharted territory for him. He’s not accustomed to being anything other than the starter, and it’s clear the organization is either frustrated with him, sending a message, or perhaps both.
It’s a dilemma reminiscent of what Colorado Avalanche fans faced last season when Mackenzie Blackwood began to falter late in the series. Many asked, “Why not start Scott Wedgewood?” The counterargument was that benching Blackwood in the First Round against Dallas could shatter his confidence. The same risk exists here with Gibson.
At the same time, there are equally tough questions Gibson must ask himself: Am I ready? Do I still have what it takes to compete at a high level?
Whether you like it or not, this is an old-school approach from the Detroit Red Wings. Coach McLellan is essentially challenging Gibson: “Okay, you were embarrassed in the home opener. This is completely unacceptable. You’re going to have to prove you still have what it takes to win hockey games.”
Gibson will have to dig in and deliver in practice; otherwise, this could turn into a long and painful ride.