The Edmonton Oilers' quest to solidify their goaltending position has hit a potential roadblock in their pursuit of Anaheim Ducks' netminder, John Gibson. While the fit seemed promising, with Gibson reportedly open to a move to Edmonton, a snag has emerged concerning Anaheim's willingness to retain salary in any potential trade. This unexpected hurdle could complicate, or even prevent, the Oilers from acquiring the veteran goalie.
Gibson, 31, has been a long-term target for the Oilers, particularly after their recent Stanley Cup Final losses exposed some vulnerability in their goaltending. His name has been circulating in trade rumors for months, and with two years remaining on his contract at a $6.4 million cap hit, he was viewed as a viable option to bolster the Oilers' net. Gibson is apparently working with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek to facilitate a trade.
The Oilers' interest stems from the need for a more reliable presence in goal. While Stuart Skinner is currently slated as the starter, his inconsistency, particularly during the playoffs, has raised concerns. Calvin Pickard, the current backup, is a cost-effective option, but not seen as a long-term solution to lead the team to a championship. Analyst Ray Ferraro has commented that the Oilers cannot afford to return with the same setup in the net for the 2025-26 season.
However, Anaheim's stance on salary retention has thrown a wrench into the works. According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Ducks are not interested in retaining any of Gibson's salary unless they receive significant incentives in return. Moreover, they would prefer to take back a contract, potentially another goalie, to offset Gibson's cap hit. This condition presents a significant challenge for the Oilers.
With Skinner signed at a reasonable $2.6 million and Pickard at an even more economical $1 million, the Oilers lack an "overpaid" goaltender whose contract they could send back to Anaheim in a straight swap. This lack of a suitable contract to exchange makes fitting Gibson's $6.4 million cap hit into Edmonton's already tight budget extremely difficult.
The Oilers currently have around $16.2 million in cap space after trading Evander Kane, but they still need to sign Evan Bouchard, a restricted free agent who is due for a substantial raise, and Trent Frederic. Bouchard's new contract is projected to be around $10 million, and Frederic could command between $3 and $4 million. This leaves limited financial flexibility for acquiring a player with Gibson's cap hit without shedding salary elsewhere.
The Oilers could explore other options to make the trade work. One possibility would be involving a third team to absorb some of Gibson's salary. Another would be if Verbeek is open to taking back multiple players, along with a goaltender, to make the financials more palatable for Edmonton. However, these scenarios add complexity to the trade and may increase the overall cost of acquiring Gibson.
If the Oilers cannot find a way to make the Gibson trade work, they may have to turn to other goaltending options. Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils has been mentioned as a lower-risk alternative, but he may not represent the upgrade the Oilers are seeking. Other potential targets could emerge as the offseason progresses, but the options are limited.
Ultimately, the Oilers' ability to acquire Gibson hinges on their ability to navigate the cap constraints and find a solution that satisfies Anaheim's demands. If they cannot, they may be forced to stick with their current goaltending tandem or pursue other, less desirable options, potentially jeopardizing their chances of contending for the Stanley Cup in the upcoming season.
