Touching on all three of the New York metro teams in a New York Post column, Larry Brooks reports that the New Jersey Devils are indeed interested in John Gibson, but only for the right price. The Devils are still weighing the possible tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid, and determining whether that is the right fit to earn them a Stanley Cup championship.
New Jersey’s interest in Gibson shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, as General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has been highly focused on building a lasting winner this offseason. As the trade market also includes Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck, Gibson makes more sense given his current contract status.
Currently, Hellebuyck has one year, $6.17MM remaining on his current contract, but is reportedly seeking around $9MM in the next deal he signs. Articulating his displeasure with Winnipeg’s direction (similar to Gibson with the Anaheim Ducks), it is safe to say that Hellebuyck will not be getting that contract in Manitoba.
Gibson, on the other hand, has four years, $25.6MM left on his contract, a term that fits much better with the Devils’ long-term planning. No matter how much the cap increases next offseason, paying a goaltender $9MM a season for the next eight years will be tough to swallow for just about any team.
Other snapshots:
- The main columnist of the Columbus Blue Jackets on The Athletic, Aaron Portzline, reported in his article today that the Blue Jackets still have some work to do in thinning out their forward core. One of the main areas of focus, Portzline adds, will be moving out some of the centers that Columbus has on their roster. Already carrying eight forwards with the ability to play center, and a couple more possibly in the minor leagues, the Blue Jackets could make a trade to fill out weaker areas of their team.
- According to a press release, the Toronto Marlies have announced they have signed forward Josiah Slavin to a one-year deal. Slavin has spent the last several seasons playing for the Rockford IceHogs but was moved to the San Diego Gulls prior to last season’s trade deadline. Slavin has shown flashes in the past of being a solid third-line depth scorer, and the Marlies will be hoping for much of the same from him this season.
(shakes his head) John Gibson’s been proving for four years now that he is *no longer a quality goaltender.* So who cares what his term and salary are? I agree that $9 MM/eight years is damn silly for just about any goalie in the last generation not named Rask, Vasilevsky or Lundqvist, but the big difference is that Hellebucyk hasn’t shown any signs of decline.
Goalies are (mostly) erratic, sure. But there’s a much better chance that either Vanacek or Schmid will get the job done than a guy who’s been failing to get the job done for four years now.
Pull Hellebuyck’s #’s at hockey reference player vs player against Vasilevskiy’s and consider who played for a perennial contender and who played for the perennial pretender. Not a significant difference carrleer wise.
Gibson is a top notch netminder and still young, Remember who he’s been playing for. The Blue Jackets will surprise everybody this season if they stay healthy.
Stick with the schmid Vanecek tandem and let the kid run with it! He’ll step up next year just like the rest of the young guys. Save the money for a different area of need.