Breaking: Trade Pitch Sees Red Wings Acquiring Star $51 Million Elite in Blockbuster
The Detroit Red Wings are aiming to break their playoff drought, and one proposed trade involves acquiring star goalie John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks.
Using the PuckGM tool from PuckPedia, a user suggested a trade where the Red Wings would receive:
Red Wings receive:
- John Gibson
Ducks receive:
- Ben Chiarot
- Andrew Copp
- Marco Kasper
- 2026 first-round pick
- 2026 second-round pick
This potential deal would give the Red Wings a solid starting goalie in Gibson, but they would have to part with significant assets, including a first and second-round pick.
Gibson is currently in the sixth year of an eight-year, $ 51.2 million contract. His presence would strengthen the Red Wings’ goaltending and could facilitate trades involving Ville Husso or Cam Talbot for other assets. While Gibson has had some inconsistency, it may be related to his time with the rebuilding Ducks. He is a three-time NHL All-Star.
Bringing in Gibson would also allow top goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa to spend more time in the AHL, aiding his development before he assumes the starting role in Detroit.
In exchange, the Red Wings would give up two draft picks and three players. Chiarot is in the third year of a four-year, $ 19 million contract and plays on Detroit’s second defensive pairing. Last season, he registered 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points over 17 games.
Copp has not met expectations since signing a five-year, $ 28.13 million deal with Detroit in July 2022. Currently on the third line, trading him would free up valuable cap space. Last season, he had 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points in 79 games.
The final player, Kasper, was drafted eighth overall in 2022 and has returned to the AHL, where he tallied 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 71 games last season.
Gibson has been mentioned as a trade candidate due to the Ducks’ rebuilding phase. This summer, general manager Pat Verbeek acknowledged that there is interest in Gibson: “John’s still a really good goalie,” he said. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun noted that while trade talks occurred, no deals materialized, and the Ducks are open to moving Gibson if the right offer comes along.
Currently, the Red Wings have three goalies on their NHL roster: Ville Husso, Cam Talbot, and Alex Lyon. Managing three goaltenders is unusual, and general manager Steve Yzerman mentioned the team would evaluate the situation based on health and performance before making roster decisions.
Husso is in the last year of a three-year, 14.75milliondeal;Talbotsignedatwo−year, 5 million contract with the team this offseason, and Lyon is in the final year of his two-year, $ 1.8 million contract.
Cole Shelton covers the NHL for Heavy.com and has reported on professional and collegiate sports since 2016, with contributions to various outlets.