Eastern Conference team looking at taking major chance and trading for John Gibson
The New Jersey Devils are in the mix of a very tight Metro division race as we approach the one third point in the season. There have been two glaring issues plaguing New Jersey this season, not enough secondary scoring and mediocre goaltending.
Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Tyler Toffoli lead the forwards in scoring on the team. A surprising name is fourth in Erik Haula with a modest 13 points in 21 games. Dawson Mercer, and Timo Meier have particularly struggled this season with the Meier also bosting an ugly -15 on the season.
The goaltending duo of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid have been mediocre at best. Vanecek was supposed to come into the season and really take the reins in net but instead has looked shaky posting a 3.49 GAA and .879 save percentage. Schmid has better individual numbers with a 3.04 GAA and .901 save percentage but hasn't been able to get the wins posting a 4-6-1 record compared to Vanecek's 10-5-0.
New Jersey Devils beat reporter James Nichols reveals that general manager Tom Fitzgerald has re-engaged talks with the Anaheim Ducks involving John Gibson.
The 30 year old, Gibson has been having a nice bounce back season for a Ducks squad destined for the draft lottery. He currently has a 2.83 GAA and .906 save percentage. His current save percentage is his best since the 2018-19 season. Gibson has found wins tough to come by with only 5 on the season but if it wasn't for play the Ducks would be running away with last place in the league.
There will be stumbling blocks in the way from a deal being executed. Gibson's $6.4 million cap hit through the 2026-27 campaign would be tough to maneuver with the Devils so close to the cap. The Devils would need to be an approved destination for Gibson who has a 10-team no-trade list.
Whether it's Gibson or a cheaper option in net, it appears necessary for an upgrade if New Jersey want to have any chance of competing in April.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Devils will make the playoffs? | ||
| Yes, team is too good | 111 | 48.7 % |
| Only if they upgrade in net | 66 | 28.9 % |
| No, too many holes in the lineup | 51 | 22.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
