The Anaheim Geese, at one level, had been a slightly stunning crew. They went on an impressing successful streak, even handing the Vegas Golden Knights their first lack of the season. That effort was led by veteran goalie John Gibson, who appeared to have discovered his outdated self once more. Nonetheless, issues fell off slightly rapidly.
The Geese are in seventh place within the Pacific Division, and contending for the primary total decide. Gibson has additionally fallen behind however continues to be handing over a stable efficiency. Because of this, he might be an attention-grabbing participant for a contending crew in search of depth in aim across the NHL Commerce Deadline.
It’s also attention-grabbing to ponder which groups could be fascinated with including a goalie. Listed here are three potential touchdown spots for Geese goalie John Gibson as commerce winds start to blow across the league.
Sabres are a darkhorse
The Buffalo Sabres are exterior of the Japanese Convention playoff race regardless of their promising expertise. It appears unlikely that the Sabres will mount a comeback and make the event on the finish of this season. That mentioned, Buffalo may nonetheless be lively forward of the NHL Commerce Deadline.
Buffalo made a serious guess on their two younger goalies, Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Nonetheless, that guess has not paid off. Luukkonen has performed effectively sufficient, posting a .908 save proportion via 26 video games. Levi, although, has struggled this yr and even spent a while within the AHL.
Past this yr, John Gibson may play an vital position with the Sabres. He may cool down their defensive group, and assist mentor Buffalo’s younger netminders. There’s an out of doors likelihood, but it surely is not an impossibility to see this transfer go down on the NHL Commerce Deadline.
Devils want goaltending assist
The New Jersey Devils are in a greater place than the Sabres are. Nonetheless, they nonetheless must make up floor. They sit six factors again of the Detroit Purple Wings for the ultimate playoff spot within the Japanese Convention. In the event that they need to achieve vital floor, they should make a transfer quickly.
New Jersey, like Buffalo, has a necessity in aim. Not like Buffalo, although, their guess wasn’t as dangerous. Vitek Vanecek led the Devils to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2022-23. That they had each purpose to believe of their netminder. That mentioned, Vanecek has struggled to an .886 save proportion this yr.
John Gibson provides the Devils stability and permits the Geese to offer Lukas Dostal the full-time starter’s job. Clearly, making a commerce work for either side is not straightforward. However Gibson could be a serious improve in between the pipes for New Jersey.
Hurricanes may use reinforcements
The Carolina Hurricanes discover themselves contending for the Metropolitan Division title at this level. They’re in second place within the Metro, behind the New York Rangers. Nonetheless, there’s an argument to be made that Carolina may discover the goaltending market.
The Hurricanes have performed a lot of the season with out starter Frederik Andersen. He’s coping with a blood clotting situation that has left Carolina needing solutions in aim. Antti Raanta and Pytor Kochetkov have had points holding down the fort for them this yr. Including Spencer Martin provides them depth, however extra may be performed.
Gibson can come into Carolina and settle the state of affairs down. Then, he and Andersen can type a stable mixture for the Hurricanes as they push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is a deal that works out for each the Geese and the Hurricanes if it will get performed.
