Apr 19, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) defends the goal against the LA Kings in the third period at Honda Center. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

'I want to win in Anaheim': John Gibson denies he wants to leave Ducks

Originally posted on Pro Hockey Rumors | By Brian La Rose | Last updated 6/14/22

Last year, Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson didn’t exactly hide his frustration with Anaheim being a non-playoff team. With a rebuild squarely in the works now, some have wondered if he’d be looking for a move this summer. Asked exactly that by Eric Stephens of The Athletic, the veteran tried to pour cold water on that idea:

No. I want to win in Anaheim. I’ve been here and I’m happy to be here.

It wasn’t that long ago that the 28-year-old was viewed as one of the top goalies in the league, but Gibson has had his struggles over the past few seasons. Over the last three years, his save percentage has been either .903 or .904, marks that were below the NHL average. He struggled over the final three months of the season, posting a save percentage of just .876 as the Ducks went from being in the playoff mix to missing the postseason by 21 points.

Anaheim has missed the playoffs for the last four years and they haven’t made it past the first round since 2017. There’s a good chance those streaks are extended next season following the exodus of several key veterans including defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson, winger Rickard Rakell and long-time captain Ryan Getzlaf.

However, there is a young nucleus in place headlined by centers Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish, winger Troy Terry and defenseman Jamie Drysdale. They will be able to add to that this summer with a pair of selections in the first round including the tenth-overall pick while they enter the offseason with over $39M in cap space, per CapFriendly. Brighter days should be on the horizon soon and it appears Gibson wants to still be around at that time:

When I signed my extension in Anaheim however many years ago, I said I’d be honored to play in the same city and be a part of the same organization my whole career. I still have all my intentions on doing that.

Gibson has five years remaining on his contract with a $6.4M cap hit so if the Ducks are willing to keep him around that long, he won’t be leaving Anaheim for quite awhile.

This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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