Red Wings’ Goaltending Carousel Spins On: Gibson Shines, But Questions Linger Behind Him
It’s February, but for the Detroit Red Wings, the goaltending situation still feels like a game of déjà vu. Year after year, the faces change, the names on the back of the jerseys rotate, but the core issue remains the same: finding stability in net. And with the trade deadline creeping closer and the playoff picture sharpening into focus, Detroit once again finds itself trying to patch up the most critical position on the ice.
This time around, there’s at least one bright spot. John Gibson, acquired in the offseason in a swap that sent Petr Mrazek back to Anaheim, has taken the reins as the Red Wings’ true No. 1 goalie.
After a rocky start, Gibson has settled in and is now turning heads around the league. There’s even been some quiet buzz about potential Vezina consideration - a testament to just how strong his play has been of late.
But behind him? That’s where the questions start piling up again.
Talbot’s Inconsistent Run
Cam Talbot, now in the second year of his deal with Detroit, has been the backup in name, but not always in performance. He’s had flashes, sure, but consistency has eluded him.
Since November 29, he’s started just nine games and appeared in ten. He’s managed only two wins in that span - both coming in overtime - and most of his starts have gone the distance to extra time.
His .892 save percentage paints a picture of a goalie who isn’t necessarily losing games singlehandedly, but certainly isn’t stealing them either.
That’s a tough spot for a team trying to claw its way into the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade. The margin for error is razor-thin, and every point matters. When your backup goalie isn’t delivering wins, it puts an enormous amount of pressure on your starter - and right now, Gibson is carrying that weight largely on his own.
A Familiar Pattern in the Crease
Detroit’s goaltending strategy in recent years has been to ride the hot hand and hope the other guy can hold the fort when needed. It’s a strategy that’s yielded mixed results - and more than a few headaches.
Before Gibson and Talbot, it was Talbot and Alex Lyon. Before that, Lyon and Ville Husso.
And sprinkled in between were names like James Reimer and Alex Nedeljkovic. The common thread?
Injuries, inconsistency, and short-term stays.
Most of those netminders were gone within two seasons, leaving Detroit to restart the cycle again and again. And while some of those exits seemed necessary at the time, a few now look like missed opportunities in hindsight.
Ex-Wings Finding Their Groove Elsewhere
Take Alex Lyon, for example. After two up-and-down seasons in Detroit, Lyon is now thriving in Buffalo.
The Sabres began the year juggling a three-man rotation in goal, but Lyon has emerged as the clear frontrunner. He’s started 25 games, posted a .913 save percentage, and gone 14-8-3 on the season.
Even more impressive? He’s won eight of his last ten starts, helping fuel a red-hot stretch for a Buffalo team climbing the Atlantic Division standings.
Then there’s Alex Nedeljkovic, who’s carved out a steady role in Pittsburgh after leaving Detroit following the 2022-23 season. He’s played in over 30 games in back-to-back seasons for the Penguins and has been sharing the net this year with Yaroslav Askarov. His .899 save percentage and 10-9-2 record may not jump off the page, but he’s been dependable - and even made headlines recently for dropping the gloves with Sergei Bobrovsky in a rare goalie scrap.
It’s fair to wonder what Detroit’s season might look like if they still had either of those guys in the fold. Lyon’s current form, in particular, could’ve been a difference-maker over the last month, as the Red Wings struggled to keep pace in the playoff race while Gibson cooled off and Talbot couldn’t find the win column.
Looking Ahead: Cossa’s Time Coming?
As it stands, the Red Wings are rolling with Gibson and Talbot, but there’s not much depth behind them. The only other goalie in the system with NHL experience is Sebastian Cossa, and he’s got just one start under his belt. The 21-year-old is still developing, and while the organization is high on his long-term potential, he’s far from a sure thing right now.
That leaves Detroit in a tricky spot. If Gibson stays hot, they’ve got a shot to make some noise down the stretch. But if anything happens to him - or if Talbot can’t elevate his game - the Red Wings could find themselves once again watching the postseason from home, wondering what could’ve been with a steadier hand in goal.
The trade deadline is looming, and decisions will need to be made. For now, though, it’s Gibson or bust - and in Detroit, that’s a familiar feeling.