In a significant offseason move that finally ended months of speculation, the Anaheim Ducks traded veteran goaltender John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The deal, which sent Petr Mrazek along with 2026 and 2027 draft picks to Anaheim, marks the end of Gibson's 12-season tenure with the Ducks and signals a new chapter for both franchises as they prepare for the upcoming NHL season.
John Gibson, 31, has long been considered one of the top goaltenders available this offseason, with his manageable $6.4 million cap hit and extensive experience making him a coveted asset. The Pittsburgh native spent his entire NHL career with Anaheim, debuting in the 2013-14 season after an impressive junior career with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers. Over 506 career games, Gibson posted a 204-217-63 record, a .910 save percentage, and a 2.89 goals-against average (GAA), solidifying his status as a franchise cornerstone. Notably, he led all Ducks goaltenders in appearances, starts (494), and saves (14,034), ranking second in wins and third in shutouts with 24.
Despite his solid numbers, Gibson’s role with the Ducks gradually diminished amid the team’s rebuilding phase and the emergence of younger talent. Over the last two seasons, 25-year-old Lukas Dostal has risen as Anaheim’s promising new goaltender, making Gibson’s trade more feasible. In the 2024-25 season, Gibson played 29 games, recording an 11-11-2 record with a .911 save percentage and a 2.77 GAA, despite battling a series of injuries.
“We want to thank John for his time with our organization and being an integral part of the Ducks for more than a decade,” said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek. “It became clear John wanted a new opportunity, and after many discussions with him we felt now was the right time to make this move. John and his family became a major part of the community and their dedication to Orange County will leave a lasting impact. We wish John and his family all the best in their next chapter.”
In exchange, the Ducks received 33-year-old Petr Mrazek, a 2026 fourth-round selection, and a 2027 second-round pick from Detroit. Mrazek, a Czech native like Dostal, brings a wealth of experience to Anaheim. Over 428 NHL games, he has compiled a 180-176-40 record with 26 shutouts, a 2.85 GAA, and a .906 save percentage. His career has spanned multiple teams, including Detroit (2012-18 and 2024-25), Chicago, Toronto, Carolina, and Philadelphia. Last season, Mrazek split time between Chicago and Detroit, posting a 12-21-2 record with a .891 save percentage and a 3.35 GAA over 38 games.
With Anaheim, Mrazek is expected to serve as the clear No. 2 netminder behind Lukas Dostal but could still start around 30 games in the 2025-26 season. His acquisition adds depth to the Ducks’ goaltending and provides a veteran presence to support their young core.
On the other side, Detroit General Manager Steve Yzerman expressed optimism about the trade, seeing it as a major upgrade in net. “John has been, throughout the course of his career, proven to be a good starter in the NHL,” Yzerman said. “Anaheim has gone through its rebuilding process, and it affected his play a little bit. The team gets better and they have a good young goaltender in Dostal, and John is looking for an opportunity to play. We're counting on him, obviously, to give us quality starts and upgrade our team in net.”
Yzerman revealed that initial trade discussions began back in March during the trade deadline when Gibson was sidelined with an injury, halting negotiations. However, talks resumed this offseason as Gibson sought a fresh opportunity and the Ducks were ready to move on. “Taking into account the player we're acquiring, and what we have to give up to acquire him, what I like about this is we think John has a lot of good hockey left in him,” Yzerman added. “We're very hopeful of that and believe in that, and we thought it was a good option. He's signed for two (more) seasons and that gives us, both of us, options to see how things play out.”
Gibson’s contract runs through 2027, and his two remaining years provide Detroit with stability in goal alongside Cam Talbot and top prospect Sebastian Cossa. The Red Wings, who have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2016, are banking on Gibson to help solidify their defense and push the team back into contention.
Meanwhile, Mrazek’s contract with Anaheim carries a $4.25 million cap hit for the 2025-26 season. Although Mrazek faced injury issues last season after being reacquired by Detroit at the trade deadline, the Ducks are hopeful he can return to his previous form. His career-best season came in 2015-16 with Detroit when he posted a 27-16-6 record, a 2.33 GAA, and a .921 save percentage.
Mrazek also boasts significant playoff experience, having appeared in 29 Stanley Cup Playoff games with a 12-15 record, five shutouts, a 2.43 GAA, and a .911 save percentage. He played a key role in Carolina’s run to the 2019 Eastern Conference Final and has represented Czechia in multiple international tournaments, including a gold medal at the 2024 World Championships alongside Ducks teammates Lukas Dostal and Radko Gudas.
As the trade reshapes the goaltending landscape, the upcoming unrestricted free agency period starting July 1, 2025, will see other notable netminders such as Jake Allen and Dan Vladar available, adding further intrigue to the market.
For Anaheim, the acquisition of Mrazek and draft picks signals a continued commitment to rebuilding around young talent like Dostal, while for Detroit, bringing in Gibson represents a bold move to strengthen a critical position as they aim to end their playoff drought.
With the trade now official, both teams will look ahead to the 2025-26 season with renewed hope and fresh rosters. The Ducks aim to develop their promising goaltending tandem, while the Red Wings anticipate that Gibson’s veteran presence and proven ability will provide the backbone needed to elevate their squad.
