Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin offers a set of “Goalie musical chairs” rankings for the 2025 offseason, and he suggests that the Red Wings’ goaltending stock has improved…sort of…
Detroit Red Wings (Stock up)
John Gibson (acquired from Ana)
Cam Talbot(Out: Alex Lyon)
Among the clearly available netminders this offseason, Gibson was the top option, fresh off his best season in six years. He slides in as Detroit’s No. 1 and forms what looks like a pretty strong duo alongside Talbot, keeping the seat warm until Sebastian Cossa gets a larger opportunity. But after Gibson has spent so many seasons of his career bailing out bad defensive teams, it would’ve been fun to see him flourish in a stingy system. Instead, he’s set up to be shelled once again. The Red Wings iced the worst penalty kill of any NHL team in the past 42 years, and the fourth-worst of all-time, this past season. The Ducks had the most expected goals against in the league at 5-on-5, but the Wings were bottom-third, too, so Gibson will continue getting major workouts, especially when Detroit has barely done anything to improve its D-corps this offseason. Detroit already had above-average goaltending this past season, so Gibson isn’t a savior. He’ll help, but it won’t be enough if the Wings keep bleeding scoring chances.
Continued; man, it’s “Bag on the Wings” season…
