John Gibson Open to Oilers Trade Despite Challenges
Veteran goaltender John Gibson has expressed openness to joining the Edmonton Oilers, according to a report by The Athletic. Pierre LeBrun revealed that Gibson would waive his no-trade clause for a potential move, and the Anaheim Ducks appear willing to retain salary to facilitate a deal. LeBrun noted, “Gibson has a modified no-trade clause, but my understanding is he would consider the Oilers, who came one win short of the Cup last season.”
However, a trade involving Gibson presents challenges. Beyond the financial hurdles, Edmonton might face a tough decision regarding Stuart Skinner, their current starting goalie. If the Oilers pursue Gibson, moving on from Skinner could become a necessity.
Despite these possibilities, LeBrun suggests that goaltending is not Edmonton’s primary concern at the moment. Instead, the Oilers are focusing on improving their offensive consistency and may prioritize strengthening their blue line as the March 7 trade deadline approaches. While Gibson’s name is linked to Edmonton, the complexities of such a deal and the team’s current needs make it less likely in the immediate term.
Still, Edmonton’s goaltending situation is becoming a concern. In a recent game against the Minnesota Wild, Skinner allowed five goals on 26 shots, finishing with a .808 save percentage. His season stats—6-6-2 record, .876 save percentage, and 3.33 goals-against average—reflect struggles in net. While some believe Edmonton will continue relying on Skinner, the team might reconsider if a more proven option like Gibson becomes available.
Yet, not all of Edmonton’s defensive issues fall on Skinner. The Oilers’ inconsistent blue line has contributed significantly to their struggles, raising questions about whether Gibson could succeed under similar conditions.
Gibson’s contract also poses risks. With three years remaining at a $6.4 million cap hit per season, any deal would require the Ducks to retain salary. Even at a reduced $3.2 million cap hit for Edmonton, acquiring Gibson would require valuable trade assets, and there’s no guarantee he would perform better than Skinner.
Ultimately, while Gibson could be a tempting option, the Oilers must weigh the risks carefully, especially if they’re forced to part with Skinner and gamble on Gibson’s ability to stabilize the team’s netminding situation.
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