TSN’s Travis Yost ranked the NHL’s 32 teams’ respective netminding talents into “goaltending tiers,” and he suggests that Detroit’s in tier 4 out of 5:
Detroit Red Wings (T4) – It’s desperation time for the Red Wings organization, and Steve Yzerman decided to take a big swing on the talented but inconsistent John Gibson via trade this summer. Gibson’s inconsistency, a combination of roller-coaster play and injuries, chilled what was once a pricey trade market for one of the league’s big names. Gibson did look better last season after several discouraging years, but again, his 91.2 per cent stop rate came in just 29 games. Detroit will be looking for substantially more playing time.
Continued; Gibson is definitely a gamble, but if he does stay healthy, he’s one of the league’s better goaltenders…And streaky Cam Talbot will be backing him up.
That’s not a goaltending tandem that’s going to leave opponents shaking in fear, but it should be adequate to help the Wings improve this upcoming season.
