In a significant NHL move, the Anaheim Ducks traded veteran goaltender John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings, concluding months of speculation surrounding his future. The trade involved Detroit sending goaltender Petr Mrazek, along with a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick, to Anaheim in exchange for Gibson.

The 31-year-old netminder had spent his entire 12-year NHL career with the Ducks and has two years remaining on an eight-year, $6.4 million annual contract he signed in 2018.

Verbeek Praises Gibson’s Legacy, Cites Mutual Timing and Readiness for Fresh Start

Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek issued a heartfelt statement, thanking Gibson for his contributions over more than a decade. He acknowledged that the decision was influenced by Gibson’s desire for a fresh start and expressed gratitude for the player’s impact both on the ice and in the Orange County community. Verbeek emphasized that the timing was right for both sides to move on, with Gibson’s influence in Anaheim leaving a lasting mark.

Gibson had long been viewed as a potential trade candidate due to his consistent performance, manageable cap hit, and Anaheim’s struggles in the standings. With the rise of 25-year-old Lukas Dostal as a reliable option in net, Anaheim had a viable replacement ready. Gibson’s 10-team no-trade clause allowed enough flexibility for the Ducks to find a suitable trade partner, and Detroit ultimately stepped in with a compelling offer.

Gibson’s Steady Form and Mrazek’s Experience Highlight Goaltender Swap Between Two Franchises

Despite Anaheim’s downturn in recent seasons, Gibson maintained respectable individual stats. He burst onto the scene with a strong rookie campaign in 2015-16 and has remained a dependable goaltender.

His numbers slipped slightly from 2022 to 2024 but showed improvement last season, posting a .911 save percentage and a 2.77 goals-against average in 29 games, even while battling injuries. His career totals include a 204-217-63 record, a .910 save percentage, and a 2.89 goals-against average over 506 games.

In return, Anaheim receives Petr Mrazek, a 33-year-old journeyman who brings experience from five previous NHL teams. He is signed through the next season with a $4.25 million cap hit.

Mrazek’s 2024 season was less than stellar—finishing 12-21-2 in 38 games split between Chicago and Detroit, with a .891 save percentage and a 3.35 goals-against average. However, his experience and Czech nationality make him a fitting complement to fellow countryman Lukas Dostal in Anaheim’s goaltending tandem.

Mason McTavish (Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)

We’re getting into the deep part of summer, but there is unfinished business in many NHL markets. And one of those markets is Buffalo, where the Sabres continue being unable to move forward on defenseman Bowen Byram, and their roster doesn’t inspire confidence they can be in the mix for a playoff spot.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Where could Byram be traded? We’ve covered many potential possibilities in this series, which focuses on potential trade partners for the Sabres. (You can read some older files by clicking here and here.)

In this file, we’re looking at a potential trade fit with the Anaheim Ducks.

TEAM: Anaheim Ducks

CAP SPACE: $28.9 million

FREE AGENTS: Lukas Dostal, G (RFA); Mason McTavish. LW (RFA); Sam Colangelo, RW (RFA); Brock McGinn, RW; Robby Fabbri, C

NEEDS: Elite depth on defense; goal production; fixing league’s worst power play (11.8 percent efficiency) and the league’s fourth-worst penalty kill (74.2 percent) last season; adapting to system of new coach Joel Quenneville

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

SABRES FiIT? The Ducks finished the 2024-25 season in sixth place in the weak Pacific Division, 10 points behind the race for a wild card. Anaheim has worked for some time to rebuild their stock of top talent, and that top talent is starting to unlock their potential. But when it comes to the Sabres, Anaheim’s focus is the same as Buffalo’s — namely, each of the two teams want the same type of assets. That won’t make it easy for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams to find a Ducks player that (a) he’d like as a competitor, and (b) a financial fit.

That. said, Adams has to know he can command a big price if he trades the right player. And that player almost assuredoy will be Byram. As an elite puck-moving blueliner, the 24-year-old is going to commond a major raise on the $3.85 million he earned last season with Buffalo. But the key question is, will he be earning it in Anaheim, or somewhere else?

If This Is It When It Comes To Sabres Roster Changes, It’s Going To Be A Long Season In Buffalo

If This Is It When It Comes To Sabres Roster Changes, It’s Going To Be A Long Season In Buffalo The Buffalo Sabres’ underwhelming roster changes thus far this off-season have some fans itching to see them make a move of consequence, particularly when it comes to the future of RFA defenseman Bowen Byram. But what if nothing else transipres on the roster alterations front? What if the Sabres roster we see in early July is highly similar to the one we see when next season begins?

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At that point, all eyes turned to Ducks GM Pat Verbeek. But Verbeek didn’t go crazy at the start of free-agenc, Verbeek signed veteran cemter Mikael Grandlund, and he also traded for veteran left winger Chris Kreider. Clearly, Anaheim is intent on being in the playoff race this year.

The way you get there is to trade Byram. Adans has held onto Byram with all his might, but it may be time to part ways with Byram. And that If that’s the case, sending Byram to Anahheim could bring back a player who could help them over the long haul — Ducks winger Mason McTavish.

McTavish made approximately $894.167 last season, and he produced 22 goals and 52 games last year. That’s a terrific bargain, but one that won’t last any longer. And if the Ducks aren’t sufficiently invested in the 22-year-old, the Sabres would gleefully take McTavish off their hands,

Sabres Could Be Facing Ticking Clock With Byram

Sabres Could Be Facing Ticking Clock With Byram The Buffalo Sabres situation elected to go to salary arbitration with restricted free agent defenseman Bowen Byram last week, eliminating the possibility of another NHL club going the offer sheet route, but the yet to be scheduled hearing could be a deadline of sorts for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams to get the best return possible for the Stanley Cup winner.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One of the Ducks’ chief rivals in the Pacific Division is the San Jose Sharks, who made over their back end, bringing in a handful of experienced hands. That’s what the Ducks’ movees have been all about: if Anahein gets to the trade deadline and they’re not in the race, they can trade these veterans for meaningful assets in return.

But we don’t see that happening. We like what Verbeek has done here, even if it will take another year or two for Anaheim to blossom into a true Stanley Cup contender. And if he pulls off a trade for Byram — with that possibility probably being remote — Verbeek will install an asset that could be part of their defense corps for the next decade.

Draft week provides the kind of deadline that forces a team’s hand.

It’s always busy, and this year will be no different, already kick-started by Monday’s Trevor Zegras trade.

Several teams with mid-range first-round picks are willing to move their draft capital to upgrade with ready-made, top-half-of-the-roster players, so we might get those trades by Friday night. But it’s the second part of the trade market that intrigues me even more — the one we might have to wait to see how it plays out over the entire summer.

Advertisement

In talking to a dozen teams over the past four or five days, one thing I’ve heard a lot is that if they can’t get done what they hope to in the next eight or nine days, they may reset and circle back on trade conversations, which may take more finessing over the course of several weeks.

So we may wake up to some August trades — significant moves at a time that is normally the offseason’s dead period.

That goes back to a point I made a few weeks ago: this offseason is shaping up to be unique because there are so many buyers looking to add a piece and so few sellers. The Chicago Blackhawks just added a piece over the weekend, for example, in Andre Burakovsky. The Philadelphia Flyers added Monday in Zegras. These are teams that have a longer view in mind, but in the interim, they want to get better now, too.

The Buffalo Sabres may be busy over the next week or two — not because they are selling, per se, but because they’re looking at hockey deals to improve their roster. So if Bowen Byram gets dealt, it won’t be for futures, I don’t think.

Point being: Aside from the Pittsburgh Penguins, will there be another outright seller? Name them.

Some teams may need the entire summer to find that right deal. And as one general manager noted to me Monday, it could mean more in-season trades next season, too, especially if some teams come out of the gates slowly and start to think ahead to the franchise player going with the No. 1 pick in a year.

What else am I hearing from around the NHL right now? Rumblings:

Flyers win Zegras trade, but did Ducks lose?

The Anaheim Ducks didn’t get a sexy return on Zegras, and looking back now, they probably should have moved the 24-year-old a year or two ago for whatever was on the table then. Not being healthy two years in a row really hurt Zegras’ trade stock.

Advertisement

In talking to other teams who looked into a trade for Zegras, another concern was his $5.75 million qualifying offer a year from now when he’s a restricted free agent — in the event he doesn’t bounce back and find his offense, that is. Long way of saying, the Ducks didn’t have as big a market as you might have thought for a player with that brand name. And the Flyers took full advantage of it.

Whether Zegras can rebuild his game in Philly or not, there’s little downside to this trade for the Flyers. They were desperately looking for a young center and potentially found one. Zegras still has to learn to play a two-way game, but I love the swing here by Flyers GM Daniel Briere. If the ceiling hits, it’s a home run.

As for the Ducks, I don’t think you can look at this trade in a vacuum. They’ve added Chris Kreider and Ryan Poehling in separate moves and lost Zegras. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek likes the fit of Poehling in his bottom six. But Monday’s trade will probably make more sense over the next 10 days or so once we see the other shoe drop. They created cap space Monday. There’s more in the works if the Ducks have their way. That second-round pick they got Monday could be used as part of a package to add another piece.

I don’t think Verbeek is done yet. I would prefer judging the Zegras deal once Anaheim’s offseason work is done and I see how the entire puzzle comes together.

Everybody loves Allen

It’s good to be Jake Allen. It’s not a deep year at all on the unrestricted-free-agent goalie market. There are more jobs to be had than there are quality goalies available. Allen is the top UFA goalie on a market that also includes Alexandar Georgiev, David Rittich, Anton Forsberg, Alex Lyon, Dan Vladar, Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek.

Allen led all those goalies with a .906 save percentage in 31 games this past season for the New Jersey Devils. He hasn’t closed the door on returning, and I know the sides are still talking, but New Jersey may not have the cap space to re-sign him, depending on other moves it wants to make up front.

Advertisement

Allen, 34, coming off a two-year deal paying him $3.85 million average annual value, is probably looking to sign for around a $4 million AAV on a two-year deal or $3.5 million AAV on a three-year deal. There are seven or eight teams that have different levels of interest. The Kings, for one, are looking for a second goalie to partner up with Darcy Kuemper.

Sabres could keep Peterka

There’s been all kinds of noise around JJ Peterka dating back to the trade deadline. The Sabres are definitely getting calls on him. I believe they’ve gotten trade offers, too. And the player would prefer a change of scenery at this point. But Sabres GM Kevyn Adams views Peterka as a fantastic asset that they’ve drafted and developed and are heavily invested in. The Sabres want to keep him in a Sabres uniform if possible.

That’s what some teams are hearing when they call Buffalo. But that won’t stop the calls from coming, because teams know the player isn’t overly happy. So this one’s hard to read, honestly.

Peterka’s an RFA this summer, but he’s not eligible for salary arbitration so the Sabres can’t force him into a new contract.

This reminds me a bit of the Martin Necas situation from a year ago, when it seemed like Necas would get dealt but instead he signed a two-year deal and started the season with the Carolina Hurricanes, only to be traded a few months later. I’m not saying that’s how this is going to play out, because I believe that the Sabres are being genuine in saying they’d rather keep Peterka. It also might be hard to ignore those trade offers if they get more appealing and include a top-four right-shot defenseman.

Canadiens leaving no stone unturned

I loved Arpon Basu’s smart piece over the weekend on the Montreal Canadiens’ quest to escape the mushy middle.

Here’s what I would say based on what I’m hearing across the league: Habs GM Kent Hughes is leaving no stone unturned in surveying the forward market and trying to line up potential trade scenarios for this week and perhaps into the summer. The search for a No. 2 center might be too hard this offseason, so a compromise might be a top-six winger with pop. Some of those calls Hughes is making are in that direction.

Advertisement

Montreal, armed with the No. 16 and No. 17 picks Friday night, is trying to find a partner who would be interested in a picks/prospects package. But the Canadiens aren’t going to force it. If the price to attain a top-six difference maker is out of their comfort zone and hurts their long-term planning, they’re willing to stay patient, whether that means an in-season trade or even next summer.

The No. 1 priority, as Basu wrote, is to become a long-term contender that takes multiple swings at a title over time. The priority is absolutely not about making sure they make a short-term swing just to make the playoffs again next year. The longer-term view wins out.

Devils looking, too

The Devils were among the 15 teams that tried on Jonathan Toews. GM Tom Fitzgerald continues to scour the market looking for top-six or top-nine forward help. I think he will keep an eye on where the Jason Robertson situation goes with the Dallas Stars, for example. But he also ended up making a more modest top-nine-type move by the end of the summer last year. All I know is that Fitzgerald has been active fleshing out the forward market.

The Devils were one of 15 teams to try to sign Jonathan Toews. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

Penguins can wait on Rust

Good update Monday from colleague Josh Yohe on the Penguins’ trade market.

Here’s what I would add to the Bryan Rust situation in particular: There is a lot of interest in the 33-year-old winger, who has three more years on his deal paying him $5.125 million annually, which is a steal for what he produces and the utility that he brings in different roles. He’s also a big character guy.

The Penguins are listening but they’re in no rush, if they in fact trade him at all. And I think the reason they’re in no rush is that some teams who don’t accomplish what they’re looking to do in free agency or on the trade market in the next 10 days may need to circle back to the Penguins. The market for Rust is already strong, but it may become even more robust as the summer goes.

Back to my comment about potential August trades above to start this article: There’s still a world in which Rust is moved this week if a team really, really steps up, but I think it’s more likely the Penguins wait it out.

Schmidt will have options

The focus is very much on Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand as the key three pending UFAs on the Cup champ Florida Panthers, but don’t forget about Nate Schmidt, who had a solid playoff performance as a third-pairing defenseman. The pending UFA is keeping the door open to returning but is not doing so on a repeat bargain-bin $800,000 contract.

Advertisement

There are teams waiting on July 1 hoping to make him better offers. The Panthers know this. So it all comes down to the bigger files they are dealing with and where that leaves Schmidt closer to the market opening next week. I think it’s more likely than not he’s gone.

Pettersson-Canucks update

The trade rumors won’t go away until we are past July 1, but regarding Elias Pettersson, it’s still my understanding that the Canucks don’t plan on trading him — or at least that was the case as of Monday.

As I said a few weeks ago, the Canucks are encouraged by Pettersson’s approach this offseason. His full no-move kicks in July 1.

Dumba buyout?

There were some people wondering if Matt Dumba, 30, might be among those bought out when the window opened last week, but for now, the Stars’ priority is to find a taker on the trade market. The thinking is that despite the fact that it was a disappointing season for Dumba and he didn’t appear in a playoff game, there’s such a demand for right-shot defensemen that a team might still bite on the one year at $3.75 million left on that contract. We shall see.

CBA inching forward

And finally, on the CBA front, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association keep inching closer to the finish line, but a league source said Monday that a few outstanding issues remain. The hope had been to have something in place for owners’ approval at Wednesday’s Board of Governors meeting in Los Angeles. That’s still possible, but as of Monday, it looked more like a league update to owners on the CBA, rather than a done deal ready for voting on. But let’s see what the next few days bring.

(Photo of Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)

and

will be two of the teams to watch as we hit trade season this summer. Buffalo has been on the brink of several big moves for a while now, and did, in fact, ship off Dylan Cozens at the deadline.

The Buffalo Sabres

The Flyers started to turn over their roster this past season, trading the likes of Scott Laughton, Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost, and Andrei Kuzmenko. In addition, they have a new head coach in Rick Tocchet, and are looking to take a big step forward in 2025-26.

In fact, according to insider Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, those two teams make for likely trade partners, with a couple of Buffalo names on the Flyers’ radar.

According to Anthony San Filippo of the Snow the Goalie Podcast, the Flyers have been in communication with the Buffalo Sabres – most notably regarding forward JJ Peterka and defenseman Bowen Byram.

The Flyers are interested in Buffalo’s JJ Peterka

Di Marco confirms that the Flyers do like Peterka, though they’ll probably have to get in line on that one. Peterka is one of the top restricted free agents this summer, and if he isn’t scooped up with a humongous offer sheet, there will be many clubs calling up Sabres GM Kevyn Adams about a Peterka trade.

The burgeoning 23-year-old forward recorded a career-high 41 assists and 68 points this past season to go with 27 goals, just one shy of the previous year. He also logged a career-best 18:11 ice time per night, as a top-line winger. He’s an RFA, but does not hold arbitration rights.

The Sabres are holding a high price on Peterka, and Di Marco notes that, “the Flyers are hesitant to give up a significant haul for wingers given their desperate need for help down the middle of the ice”. That said, he admits that the left-shot left-winger would fill an important need for Philly, both in the top-six and on the power play.

Would Flyers give Bowen Byram a big payday as RFA?

As for Byram, he, too, is a restricted free agent, and Di Marco confirms that Philly likes him, but that they are concerned about the big money he’s looking for on his next contract.

“Speaking with a team source,” writes Di Marco, “the Flyers have some trepidation about the potential contract demands of Byram.” Those demands are expected to be in the $8.5 million AAV range. He’s coming off a two-year bridge deal with a $3.85 million cap hit.

The insider suggests that former first-rounder Owen Tippett would be a party of interest for Buffalo in any trade talk with Philly.

Photo: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to make additions this summer, and while the most likely outcome is adding on the margins, they are certainly keeping tabs on more impactful players, as well. According to Anthony San Filippo of the Snow the Goalie Podcast, the Flyers have been in communication with the Buffalo Sabres – most notably regarding forward JJ Peterka and defenseman Bowen Byram.

As I wrote about earlier in the week, the Flyers do like Peterka. The 23 year old German had a breakout season, registering 27 goals and 68 points through 77 games with the Sabres. By all accounts, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has the price listed high on the left winger; I can’t say for certain what it is, but as Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli has reported in recent months, the Sabres do not seem like they are in a position to acquire futures.

From the Flyers’ side, Peterka’s offensive punch would certainly be welcomed. With the team looking to turn the corner under new head coach Rick Tocchett, adding a near 30-goal scorer to help a shallow offensive group and starved power play would certainly be a good start. As I reported earlier in the week, the Flyers are hesitant to give up a significant haul for wingers given their desperate need for help down the middle of the ice. That being said, Peterka is a natural left shot, left winger; he would be the only player of that ilk in the Flyers’ top nine unless they elect to start Matvei Michkov on the left side, which I have heard is a possibility to start next season.

Speculative speaking, I wonder if forward Bobby Brink is on the table for the Flyers in any potential deal to acquire a forward. The 2019 second-round pick had a nice season in his own right, registering 12 goals and 41 points in 79 games. A source told me in recent weeks that the Flyers are not looking to trade Brink; this could very well be the case, but Brink does jump out as the odd man out if the Flyers do bring in another winger.

Peterka is a pending RFA and would need a new contract. I have not gotten any indication on what the player is looking for, but if he were to be acquired by the Flyers, the safe bet would likely be a bridge deal given GM Danny Briere’s track record with his RFAs since taking over the big chair from Chuck Fletcher two years ago.

In the case of Byram, I can corroborate San Filippo’s reporting that the Flyers do like him. Byram, 24, had a career best 38 points this season while playing in all 82 games. A pending RFA in his own right, the former Colorado Avalanche defenseman could be in line for a nice payday – something I’ve heard is a concern for the Flyers.

Speaking with a team source, the Flyers have some trepidation about the potential contract demands of Byram. Byram recently switched agents to Darren Ferris, who more than one high ranking executive has told me is notorious for being a hard negotiator and always trying to get his players to UFA status. Mitch Marner, anyone?

Byram is “blocked,” so to speak, in Buffalo behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power (to say nothing of Mattias Samuelsson). With so many left-shot defenders locked in on long term deals, it is easy to see why Byram is reportedly looking to move on from the Sabres. One source mentioned to me that Byram could be looking for an AAV north of Power’s $8.35 million on a long term contract. Could this be a negotiating tactic to force the Sabres’ hand? Possibly, but it would certainly still spook teams to hear of such a demand.

Acquiring Byram would give the Flyers a somewhat overloaded left side on the back end; with RFA defenseman Cam York still in need of a new contract, it would be easy to connect the dots and view him as a trade chip. I can’t imagine the Sabres would be looking to bring in another left-shot defenseman in York if they move Byram; no slight at York, but that would be changing four quarters for a buck in a lot of ways for Adams. Could forward Owen Tippett be intriguing for the Sabres? I’d imagine so, but as of earlier this week, the Flyers are not looking to trade the 2017 first-round pick despite his down season after signing an eight-year extension in 2024.

The Flyers are keeping tabs on what is going on in Buffalo, but the prices seem to be far too high at the moment, as San Filippo reported – something I have also heard, which is why nothing is close or imminent between the two sides. With Adams being under the gun to right the ship in Buffalo and after taking heat for the return from the Ottawa Senators for Dylan Cozens, I wonder if he will take a hard line on his (possibly unreasonable) asking prices for some of his players.

_____

Recently by Anthony Di Marco