Red Wings Will Get Goalie, Unlikely It’ll Be Gibson

Yes, GM Steve Yzerman was confirming Friday, the Detroit Red Wings are in the market for another goaltender.

No, it’s not likely that goalie is going to be John Gibson.

You’ve probably seen some speculation about the Red Wings pursuing Anaheim Ducks netminder Gibson in a deal. While Yzerman didn’t completely drown that notion, he certainly threw cold water on the idea of spending the type of assets it would require to acquire a goalie of Gibson’s ilk.

Yzerman says Ville Husso will be ready for the season. Said he'll look at goalie market, but also indicated he's not really interested in a veteran goalie that won't be here in 2-3 years

— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) June 21, 2024

“We will look at the goalie market and if something makes sense for us to do that we think improves us, whether that be via trade or free agency, we’re not opposed to doing that,” Yzerman confirmed. “I know we have two (goalies), but I think we, I do know we need to every year try to see if we can improve our team.

“But having said that, I don’t anticipate using prime assets, whatever you would consider those to be, to really go out and acquire an older goaltender that might not be here in two, three, four years from now.”

Gibson’s Contract A Deterrent

Gibson is 30 – not old, but also not young. The major deterrent to making a move for him would be Gibson’s contract. Detroit would be on the hook for $6.4 million per season through the 2026-27 season.

Yzerman would have to find a way to shed some contracts. Otherwise, that would pretty much eliminate the cash needed to keep either Patrick Kane or Shayne Gostisbehere, both about to become UFAs.

The Ducks also wouldn’t be giving Gibson away. They’d likely want a top prospect and a high draft pick for their No. 1 netminder.

At this juncture, Yzerman appears willing to roll with his two returning NHL goalies – Alex Lyon and Ville Husso – each entering the final year of their contracts. The Detroit GM also wasn’t ruling out keeping one of them beyond the 2024-25 campaign.

“Both Alex and Ville, with one year to go on their contracts, we certainly have the option of extending them,” Yzerman said.

Red Wings Need Cossa Partner

Beyond the NHL, the Red Wings have three other netminders in the system that are signed to pro contracts. Sebastian Cossa will be playing his second season with AHL Grand Rapids, where expectations are he’ll be carrying the load. Carter Gylander and Jan Bednar, the latter on an AHL contract, are most likely to be a pairing with the ECHL Toledo Walleye.

In the goalie market, it’s a virutal certainty that Yzerman will be seeking to sign an AHL veteran capable of playing in the NHL in a pinch. A netminder much like journeyman Michael Hutchinson, who split time with Cossa in the Griffins net the past season.

Steve Yzerman said he anticipates Sebastian Cossa playing a bigger role in Grand Rapids next year, but will never rule out a player coming to camp and making them rethink their plan. #LGRW

— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) June 21, 2024

“We’ve had a lot of discussions on it, which way we go with it,” Yzerman said. “We will definitely want another goaltender.

“If you want to call it a number three, whether he’s a veteran, but yeah, another guy that in the event we have in injury up top or we need a goalie for whatever reason, that we have someone there.”

Yzerman also made a point to note that he wasn’t counting out Cossa as a possibility to play in Detroit, albeit an unlikely option.

“Regarding Sebastian, he had a very good year,” Yzerman said. “We’re very pleased with his progress.

“I don’t rule out any player coming to training camp and standing on his head or playing brilliantly and forcing us to reevaluate our plan. But right now I anticipate Sebastian playing an even bigger role in Grand Rapids next year. So we’ll look to add a goaltender there.”