Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia wrote today that the Ottawa Senators have been linked to Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson. He didn’t go into much detail about the link, but it’s not the first time there has been mention of a link between Gibson and the Senators. Ottawa has been pushing hard to improve their netminding and has held talks on Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark since before the NHL trade deadline.
The Senators are desperate to improve their goaltending which has been a disaster since Craig Anderson left town in 2020. The 30-year-old Gibson hasn’t been a strong netminder for years but has been paid like one and still has three years left on his deal at an AAV of $6.4MM. It seems unlikely Ottawa will pursue Gibson at his current price point; however, they could entertain him if they can’t make a deal with the Bruins for Ullmark or if Anaheim is willing to retain some of Gibson’s cap hit.
In other Eastern Conference notes:
- Anthony Di Marco of The Fourth Period tweeted that he believes that forward Matvei Michkov’s arrival to the Philadelphia Flyers will give the team a bit of leverage in their contract negotiations with right winger Travis Konecny. The Flyers have a difficult decision looming with Konecny, as the 27-year-old is just a year out from unrestricted free agency and there have been rumblings that he is seeking $10MM annually on his next deal. With Michkov likely on his way to Philadelphia, the Flyers could see him as a Konecny replacement, and possibly pivot to an exploration of the trade market for Konecny.
- The Washington Capitals recently swapped goaltender Darcy Kuemper for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois but are apparently not close to done re-shaping their roster (per Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts). The Capitals have some in-house free agents to take care of but will be able to bring everyone back if they want to. The team badly needs to address their offense, and while Dubois should help in that regard, he can’t be the only piece they add if they hope to improve upfront. Washington scored just 220 goals last season, good enough for 28 out of 32 teams and can no longer rely on their power play to carry them.
John Gibson has spent the last FIVE SEASONS proving to anyone who isn’t delusional that his days as a top goaltender are well in the rear view mirror. What are they possibly thinking Gibson could bring to the table in Ottawa that Korpisalo and Forsberg (both who outplayed Gibson last season, mind) don’t already … at a combined salary just a touch more than Gibson’s? Sheesh. Either some sportswriter’s making stuff up, or they’re smoking whacky weed in Ottawa.
If Anaheim is willing to retain 35% to 40% Ottawa should be interested. He is at best a 1B goalie. But a reunion with Talbot should also be considered.
Gibson has also had terrible teams in front of him those last five years.
And even given that, his save percentage and GSAA were far below the mark. (With that, do you fancy Ottawa is much better?)
Staios better stay away from Gibson if he doesn’t want to out-Dorion the ex-GM. A more sensible option but not the most popular would be to take Campbell off Edmonton’s hands. He may have something left in the tank, and acquisition cost would be minimal if not nothing.
Just wait for Edmonton to buy him out? Trading for Campbell seems to be doing the Oilers a favor. I sort of remember he was terrible for a stretch in the AHL too.
At $5mil per? If Edmonton is willing to retain $1.5mil to $1.75mil per maybe. A 4th or 5th round pick?
Flyers shouldn’t be extending TK regardless, but this helps.
Samsonov to the Senators. Let’s add some gas to next season. Bums in seats laddies, bums in seats!
Maybe try a cheaper option…Anthony Stolarz? Spend the money on defense.
Ottawa should go after Knight. High risk, high reward. Move Korpisalo to a team like SJ maybe for Vanecek or Blackwood. Would have to add a pick or prospect to get it done. They can move forsberg to a team like STL if they move Binnington. Or, a Korpisalo + for Binnington deal might work? STL saves about a million and would get a backup for Hofer and a pick or prospect.
Dubois will certainly help on a team bereft of their top centers from just 2 years ago. D-Strome is solid with a bit of upside left, but that crucial third and 4th line center[the latter of which MUST be good at the Faceoff dot] would go a long way to bridging the Gap.
On the ups side Lapierre is primed for a breakout season and could easily slot into the 3rd C role.