By Jordan Long
The Anaheim Ducks are keeping their star goaltender, John Gibson. Gibson agreed to an 8-year, $51.2 million extension to stay with the team. This keeps him in a Ducks’ uniform until 2027.
According to the lancasteronline.com, Anaheim Ducks’ General Manager Bob Murray said, “I believe in John Gibson, as does everyone in the organization. This is obviously a major commitment by the club, but one we feel strongly about. John is equally committed to being a Duck. He is only now entering the prime of his career, and we are all confident his best is yet to come.”
Gibson has proven he is worth the extension. Last year he posted a 31-18-7 record with a goals against average of 2.43 and a save percentage of .926. The Ducks made the postseason and finished 2nd in the Pacific Division with a record of 44-25-13 for 101 points. They held home ice advantage over the San Jose Sharks in the 1st round. It didn’t matter. The Ducks were swept by the Sharks. Gibson didn’t play well in that series and couldn’t stop San Jose from scoring. He had a goals against average of 3.60 with a poor save percentage of .889.
In his career Gibson has been outstanding in net for the Ducks the last 5 years. His record is 93-55-20 with a 2.29 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. Anaheim has made the postseason 4 times with him. The furthest the Ducks have advanced with Gibson was in 2017 when they went to the Western Conference Finals only to be knocked out by the Nashville Predators in 6 games.
This gives Gibson job security for the next 8 years. He won’t need to worry about talking to the Ducks about a new deal and can focus on winning a Cup.
The Ducks know how valuable he is in net. They don’t have to be concerned about losing him to another team in free agency. The way this deal isn’t worth it is if Gibson is hurt and the Ducks fail to win a Stanley Cup in the next 8 years. On paper this move should help them be a Stanley Cup contender for the next 8 years.
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