The Anaheim Ducks are gearing up for the impending NHL season with notable shifts in their roster, including the trade of veteran goalie John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings. The Ducks are set to position Lukas Dostal and Petr Mrazek as their primary goaltending duo, although discussions around bolstering the roster are ongoing. One potential deal could see Mrazek traded to the Edmonton Oilers, a scenario previously hinted at by NHL writer Lyle Richardson. Mrazek's availability, contingent on his performance and the Ducks' standings, makes him a valuable trade asset for the Ducks.

With Mrazek's contract expiring next July, the Ducks aim to leverage this situation to acquire draft picks or other assets, supporting their long-term strategy of rebuilding and strengthening their roster for future competitions. Meanwhile, the Oilers could benefit from Mrazek's experience during playoff runs, making this proposed trade mutually advantageous.

John Gibson has been traded to the Detroit Red Wings from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Petr Mrazek and two draft picks. The Ducks received a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Gibson's tenure with Anaheim spanned 12 seasons, where he showcased his skills and became the franchise's all-time leader in several goaltending statistics. His recent performance included an 11-11-2 record with a 2.89 GAA and .912 save percentage this season.

Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings GM, indicated that Gibson was eager for a fresh start and saw an opportunity to solidify his role as a primary goaltender in Detroit. The move comes amid the emergence of Lukas Dostal as Anaheim's top goalie, which likely prompted Gibson's request for a change. With two years left on his contract, Gibson aims to bring stability to the Red Wings' goaltending situation while continuing to build on his impressive career.

The Detroit Red Wings have made a significant move to bolster their goaltending by trading for veteran John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. This transaction took place during the 2025 NHL Draft, where the Wings traded goalie Petr Mrazek—who had limited appearances due to injury—and two draft picks, including a 2026 fourth-rounder and a 2027 second-rounder. Gibson, a reliable presence in the net with a career save percentage of .910, is expected to stabilize the goaltending situation alongside Cam Talbot, who is in the final year of his contract.

Gibson, 31, brings extensive experience, having played over 500 games in the NHL. He had a season marked by inconsistency, including an emergency appendectomy that sidelined him for the first 13 games. Despite this setback, he finished the last season with a respectable 2.77 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. His addition is seen as a chance for the Wings to revitalize their playoff aspirations, while Mrazek's short stint back with Detroit ends in a trade.

In a significant trade, the Anaheim Ducks have dealt goaltender John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings, concluding a prolonged period of speculation regarding his future. Gibson, who has spent 12 seasons with the Ducks, will receive a new start in Detroit. In exchange, the Ducks acquired Petr Mrazek, alongside a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.

General Manager Pat Verbeek expressed gratitude to Gibson for his contributions, emphasizing the goaltender's commitment to the community. Gibson's trade potential was heightened by the emergence of Lukas Dostal, making this move timely for Anaheim, especially considering Gibson's manageable $6.4 million cap hit and recent injury struggles. He holds a record of 204 wins and 217 losses with a .910 save percentage over his career.

Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan provided encouraging updates on goaltender Petr Mrazek and forward Elmer Soderblom. Mrazek is expected to resume skating soon, while Soderblom is listed as day-to-day but has been skating and will travel with the team. In Edmonton, Connor McDavid is making solid progress from his injury, with a potential return by the end of the regular season. Goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenseman Mattias Ekholm are also nearing returns.

The Florida Panthers faced a setback as Nico Sturm left the game early with an undisclosed injury, while coach Paul Maurice is hopeful that Sturm can return soon. In Vancouver, coach Rick Tocchet stated that it’s doubtful Filip Chytil will return this season due to a concussion recovery, although Elias Pettersson's return is anticipated by season's end.

Meanwhile, Tomas Hertl of the Vegas Golden Knights remains out but is expected to be ready for the playoffs after dealing with an upper-body injury. The Winnipeg Jets are dealing with injuries to Luke Schenn and Neal Pionk, with the latter starting to skate again soon.