The Anaheim Ducks have announced the signing of goaltender John Gibson to an
eight-year contract extension that will take hold beginning in the 2019-20
season. Per Eric Stephens of The Athletic, Gibson';s new contract will pay him
an average annual value (AAV) of $6.4 million-a nice bump from his current AAV
of $2.3 million.

Ducks announce that they have signed goalie John Gibson to an eight-year
contract extension. Big one. $6.4 million AAV

- Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) August 4, 2018

Gibson just turned 25 in July, so the Ducks have locked him up through his
prime years. The deal includes a limited no-trade clause (NTC) that kicks in
starting in the summer of 2021.

All in all, Saturday was not too bad a day for the Pittsburgh native. In
addition to securing a lucrative long-term deal, Gibson got married as well.
Quite a day indeed.Gibson Takes Control of Ducks'; Net

From the time he debuted in the NHL in 2013-14, even taking the reins for four
playoff games as a mere 21-year-old, it';s been obvious that Gibson is the
Ducks'; long-term guy in net. Anaheim';s trade of Frederik Andersen to the
Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016 confirmed what seemed inevitable.

After posting a .920 save percentage and 21 wins in 40 games in 2015-16, Gibson
 appeared in 52 games in 2016-17, racking up 25 wins and compiling an
impressive .924 save percentage. This past season was arguably his most
noteworthy. While his goals-against average (GAA) of 2.43 was his worst since
posting a figure of 2.60 in just 23 games in 2014-15, he achieved a new high
water mark with a .926 save percentage across 60 games.John Gibson has reason
to smile after signing a new eight-year contract extension and getting married
on Saturday, Aug. 4. (Gary A.Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

Gibson';s inflated GAA-relative to previous seasons-was more so an indictment
of the Ducks'; porous defense all year. Anaheim surrendered an average of 33.1
shots on goal per game-the sixth-most in the league. They also gave up numerous
 high-quality shot attempts, as their 759 high-danger scoring chances against
at 5-on-5 were the eighth-most in the league during the regular season. Gibson
was consistently under siege. 

As general manager Bob Murray said at the conclusion of Anaheim';s season,
"Good goaltending tends to cover up a lot of crap." Ryan Miller was also great
in a backup role, but without Gibson shouldering the load so that the veteran
Miller could excel in more limited action, who knows if the Ducks would have
even qualified for the postseason?

The stellar play of Gibson in 2017-18 is perhaps best illustrated by how high
he ranked in goals saved above average (GSAA) per 60 minutes.

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Despite having the second-best such mark among netminders who faced at least
1,000 shot attempts, neither he nor the top goalie on this metric, Sergei
Bobrovsky, was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. In another example of
the wrong criteria going into determining individual awards, it seems winning
the Vezina Trophy requires having an excellent team around the goaltender who
receives the honor.

In any event, Gibson';s value to the Ducks is immense, and they know hope to
get a nice return on their long-term investment in him.Implications of
Gibson';s Contract

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Ducks'; salary cap situation, and how big of
 factor Gibson';s eventual new contract would be. Specifically, I wrote the
following after mentioning Gibson';s excellent play last season:

If Gibson keeps up that level of play and can assuage some minor injury
concerns that have cropped up intermittently in his career, he will likely be
in line for a raise to take his AAV upwards of $6 million. In fact, it's
plausible that he could even sign an extension this offseason.

Hey, hey; every now and then I get something right and come off as prophetic!
He did indeed sign his extension this offseason and did so at an AAV a bit
north of $6 million.

The bit about his injuries represents one risk with his contract. He was still
able to appear in a career-high 60 games last year, but ongoing groin issues
and what seems like a penchant for freak collisions have bogged down Anaheim';s
 goalies a few too many times in the past. Nevertheless, the Ducks are betting
on his youth and a continued increase in workload and durability. With what
Gibson provides for them, it';s not a bad bet.

Of course, now that Gibson';s $6.4-million AAV for 2019-20 and beyond is known,
 this again points to the inevitable loss of a key player within the next year.
 More and more, that player looks like it will be winger Jakob Silfverberg,
whose all-around game might be easy to overlook but is a critical component for
 the Ducks. After all, the 27-year-old Silfverberg is set to hit unrestricted
free agency after next season and will likely be in line for a raise from his
current AAV of $3.75 million.John Gibson';s lucrative new contract could be a
factor in forcing Jakob Silfverberg';s ultimate departure from the Ducks. (Amy
Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

As it stands, the Ducks have a shade under $13 million in cap space projected
for 2019-20, but that';s with just 13 players on the roster. Filling out a
roster with limited cap space will necessitate a youth movement so that cheap,
entry-level contracts comprise more of Anaheim';s cap structure. Silfverberg';s
 future in Anaheim seems doubtful at best, and additional moves to create more
cap flexibility also remain eminently possible.

For now, though, the Ducks can focus on a net positive (pun intended), as they
have secured their franchise goaltender for nearly a decade.

The post Ducks Sign Gibson to Contract Extension appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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