The Detroit Red Wings are heading into the post-Olympic stretch with something they haven't had in a long time: real stability in net. With just over 20 games left in the regular season, Detroit is firmly in the playoff mix, and a big reason why is the resurgence of veteran goaltender John Gibson.
Let’s rewind for a second. When the Red Wings acquired Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks before the season, the move raised eyebrows.
Gibson, once one of the league’s top netminders, had seen his numbers dip in recent years. And early on in Detroit, it looked like more of the same.
October and November were rough. Through those two months, Gibson posted a combined 4-7-1 record with a goals-against average hovering around 3.6 and a save percentage well below .900.
At that point, it was fair to wonder if the trade would go down as a misfire.
But then December hit-and so did Gibson’s groove.
Since the calendar flipped to December, Gibson has looked like a completely different goalie. In that month alone, he went 9-1-0 with a 2.21 GAA and a .925 save percentage.
He followed it up in January with an 8-3-1 record, a 2.13 GAA, and a .920 save percentage. That’s elite-level production, and it's come at the perfect time for a Red Wings team trying to end a playoff drought that’s dragged on far too long.
So, what changed? Part of it is simply reps.
Goaltenders often need time to adjust to a new system, a new coaching staff, and new defensive pairings. As the chemistry between Gibson and the Red Wings’ blue line improved, so did his numbers.
And now, he’s not just stabilizing the crease-he’s giving Detroit a chance to win every night.
That brings us to the next big question: what do the Red Wings do with him long term?
Gibson is under contract through the 2026-27 season, but after that, he’s set to hit free agency. He’ll be 34 years old when the 2027-28 campaign begins, and while that’s not young in goalie years, it’s hardly over the hill-especially for someone who’s showing he still has plenty left in the tank.
The Red Wings have to walk a fine line here. On one hand, Gibson has been the answer to a position that’s been in flux for years.
On the other, they’ve got two highly touted goalie prospects in the pipeline: Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine. Cossa, in particular, seems like he could be ready to challenge for NHL minutes soon.
But development isn’t linear, and banking on a young goalie to immediately step into a starting role is always risky.
If Gibson keeps up this level of play, Detroit may have no choice but to consider an extension. A two-year deal would be ideal from the team’s perspective-short-term security without blocking the path for Cossa or Augustine.
But Gibson, if he hits the open market, could command more. Proven goaltenders in their 30s have shown they can still land multi-year contracts, especially if they’re putting up top-tier numbers.
The comparison being floated is Linus Ullmark, who landed a four-year extension with Ottawa at age 31 after back-to-back Vezina-caliber seasons. While Gibson’s recent run doesn’t quite match Ullmark’s peak, it does show he’s still capable of being a high-end starter. And in a league where dependable goaltending is at a premium, that matters.
For now, Detroit doesn’t have to rush a decision. They can ride out the rest of the season and see where things stand.
But make no mistake-the Gibson conversation isn’t going away. If he continues to post numbers like he did in December and January, the Red Wings will have to figure out how he fits into their long-term plans.
Whether that means bridging the gap to their next franchise goalie or committing to Gibson as a key piece of their playoff window, one thing is clear: Detroit finally has stability in net. And that’s a game-changer.