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Oilers and Red Wings linked to goaltending trade involving intriguing asset
Photo credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings have been linked in a potential goaltending trade.
According to a report from Jeremy Tingly of the site NHL Trade Rumors, the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers have been linked in a potential trade.
With the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation being one of the worst in the league, with Calvin Pickard (.851 save percentage) and Stuart Skinner (.888 save percentage) between the pipes, something has to change.
GM Stan Bowman may have to work the wire in order to make a trade, and that could come from the Detroit Red Wings' own roster. Amongst all the trade rumors, John Gibson's name has surfaced as a name the Oilers front office would be interested in.
The Red Wings acquired the veteran in trade for Petr Mrazek and two draft picks during the summer, but the former Ducks goaltender isn't working out here.
With a trade of Gibson, it could allow for greater movement up the pipeline, as Sebastian Cossa has been playing lights out in Grand Rapids.
This season, Gibson has a record of 5-7-1, 3.62 GAA (goals against average) and a .868 save percentage.
What would it cost the Edmonton Oilers to acquire goaltender John Gibson in trade from the Detroit Red Wings?
The Detroit Red Wings will have to work with John Gibson's possible trade to Edmonton, should the opportunity arise.
With a ten-team no-trade clause and a $6.4 million salary cap hit, the Red Wings and Oilers will have to consider that for their next steps.
While it's likely that Stuart Skinner could be a part of the package coming back to Detroit, another team might have to get involved to retain salary cap space for a cash-strapped Oilers team.
Here's what The Athletic's Sean McIndoe believes could happen in a Gibson to Edmonton trade:
Admittedly, Gibson is the weakest option of the bunch in terms of being an upgrade over what the Oilers have now. But he's still a relatively big name, and it's not unrealistic to imagine that the Wings might be having some buyer's remorse. And since he was just traded a few months ago, it wouldn't be that hard to haggle on a price now. The Wings have been getting solid goaltending from Cam Talbot and Sebastian Cossa sure looks ready, so they might be open to talking here. Gibson's numbers aren't great, but he's had some stretches in recent years where he's looked very good, especially earlier in seasons before the Ducks wore him out. Have him split time with Skinner and then play the hot hand during the playoffs, and at least nobody can say you didn't try something.
John Gibson could legitimately be an upgrade for a struggling Oilers team, which is falling by the wayside with Pickard, and Skinner in the crease.
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