You know when you get older and can't keep up with modern times? You've done something for so long that you have your replacement waiting in the wings? What would happen if those wings happened to come from a duck and his name was Lukas Dostal? That's the situation John Gibson is facing with the Anaheim Ducks.
It's a sad scenario in life when you realize life has passed you by. You know that at 31 years old, your employer is making grand plans for a younger replacement who's more hip. Perhaps that comes with TikTok and purchases from Sephora. Maybe that comes with modern slang that eats at the brain. That seems to be the case with the Ducks in 2024-25, who've become the NHL equivalent of brain rot.
The team is looking at selling pieces again with the Ducks in yet another rebuilding year, looking like they belong in a buffet. This time, it comes in the form of a 31-year-old, who's respectable this season. The goaltender has a GAA of 2.76 and a save percentage of .914 (ninth in the NHL), making him attractive to contenders like the Vegas Golden Knights. In fact, he was mentioned as a trade candidate for wing spiciness.
But what makes him as appealing as Peking duck (mmm... Peking duck) is his advanced statistics. His goals saved above expected (14) is sixth in the NHL entering Monday, according to MoneyPuck. He's also second in GAA better than expected (0.73) and sixth in wins above replacement (2.33, an absolute home run). Therefore, there are plenty of reasons why getting another solid goaltender makes sense for the Golden Knights.
Why the Vegas Golden Knights should add John Gibson at the trade deadline
This isn't a slight towards Ilya Samsonov in any sense. Advanced analytics says the Russian netminder is having a better season than expected. Some examples included goals saved above expected (3.7) and a GAA of 2.78 entering Tuesday. However, John Gibson would be a more viable replacement who brings a stable style to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Standing at 6'2" and weighing 207 lbs., Gibson would benefit greatly from being in Bruce Cassidy's lane-clogging system. He's a workhorse who fights for every puck, making him a tough matchup for opposing offenses. The 31-year-old provides a perfect counterpart to Adin Hill's stable style, doing whatever it takes to win a game.
Bruce Cassidy talked about how the goaltending needed to improve in the past couple of weeks. The position has started turning a leaf in the past three games, with Hill's 31-save performance against the Florida Panthers on Sunday being an example. However, having Gibson on the table would be good to stabilize the position should matters go south quickly.
Add in the fact that Gibson is under contract until 2027 with a cap hit of $6.4 million and the deal is doable. The Golden Knights can bring in a younger goaltender (i.e., Akira Schmid or Jesper Vikman) to get some experience under the Pittsburgh native's wing. Get it? Wing? Because of the Anaheim Ducks? I quack myself up sometimes.