We have a good old-fashioned goalie battle brewing in Anaheim. On one side, Lukáš Dostál is positioning himself for the future, while veteran John Gibson is determined to prove he’s still got plenty left in the tank. The upcoming season is almost guaranteed to be a 1a/1b situation between the two, but what does this dynamic really mean for expectations for both Dostál and Gibson?
Realistic Expectations for Dostal and Gibson
Goaltender success is difficult to predict since it’s closely tied to the team’s overall performance. Win totals, in particular, are more of a team stat than an individual measure of a goalie’s effectiveness. That said, I expect both Dostál and Gibson to maintain a save percentage (SV%) above .900 this season. If they can achieve that, it will likely translate into more wins for both of them and the team.
Lukáš Dostál: The Emerging Star
Lukáš Dostál has consistently proven himself with SV% marks of .900 or better throughout his career. This season, I’m expecting him to push for a .905 SV% or higher. I also anticipate Dostál gradually taking over as the primary goalie from Gibson by the season’s end, even if the team doesn’t make it official.
Last year, Dostál nearly matched Gibson in games played, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he surpasses him this season. His game is well-rounded and fundamentally sound—he’s rarely out of position and has the ability to make sprawling glove saves when needed. The main thing for Dostál is consistency. In my view, Dostál isn’t much of a question mark; his steady progression should continue this year. Who knows, maybe he’ll even add that elusive goalie goal he’s come close to a few times in the NHL.
John Gibson: Still Something to Prove?
Predicting that John Gibson will exceed a .900 SV% is more challenging. He hasn’t hit that mark in the past two seasons, and many have written off his days as an elite goaltender. However, I believe Gibson can still perform at an above-average level, especially with reduced starts. Fewer games could help preserve his body and energy, which has been an issue in the past when he’s been overworked.
This goalie competition could be exactly what Gibson needs to reignite his game. Having Dostál share the load should also help minimize the risk of him being run into the ground. However, questions about his consistency and durability still linger, even though concerns about his health may be slightly exaggerated—after all, he’s played the fifth-most games of any goalie since the 2014-15 season. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising if he misses some time this year or even some third periods due to injury. All I ask is that he finally gets his goalie fight this season.
The Trade Rumor Cloud
There’s also the possibility of a trade, although it’s becoming less likely with training camp around the corner. I’ve already explained in a past article why the Ducks should refrain from trading Gibson now—the potential return isn’t worth it, and we might even need to give up assets to move him.
While the rumors grow louder each offseason, Gibson remains in Anaheim, largely due to his contract and declining value. If a trade were to happen, expect a goalie to come back in return.
Backup Goalie Depth: A Shifting Picture
Interestingly, the Ducks had not signed a veteran backup goalie like they did last season with Alex Stalock. That left the door open for call-ups from the San Diego Gulls, with Calle Clang and Tomas Suchánek as leading candidates. However, news recently broke that Suchánek will miss most of the season due to an ACL injury, and the Ducks quickly signed Oscar Dansk to a one-year, two-way deal.
This changes the dynamic in net. While I was most confident in Suchánek’s readiness for an NHL call-up, it now seems like Clang or Dansk will be the first to get a shot.
Calle Clang enters the final year of his contract, and it seems likely that Anaheim will give him the first opportunity in the NHL if needed. The Ducks will want to assess what they have in Clang, especially since he was part of the Rickard Rakell trade. While that trade hasn’t produced immediate returns, the second-round pick from it turned into promising defenseman Tristan Luneau, which adds a silver lining.
Clang’s time in the Ducks organization may be winding down unless he shows something exceptional this year. The system is stacked with other promising goalies like Vyacheslav Buteyets, Damian Clara ,and a healthy Suchánek outperformed Clang in the AHL last season.
If Clang or Dansk are called up, they’ll need to be ready—we all know Gibson will eventually get hurt. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if both goalies see NHL action at some point this season. If the situation worsens with multiple injuries, General Manager Pat Verbeek may even explore trades or additional signings to bolster the position before recalling any other goalies.
Goalie Depth: A Cause for Concern?
While the Ducks’ overall roster depth has improved this year, the depth at goalie remains a concern. The team will rely heavily on both Dostal and Gibson, and if one or both falter or face injuries, the pressure will mount quickly on Clang or Dansk.
It’s shaping up to be a pivotal year for the Ducks’ goaltending—one that could set the tone for the future while testing the resilience of the veterans. Only time will tell if this mix will hold up, but expect an intriguing and competitive season between the pipes.
Thank you for reading, and GO DUCKS!
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ITR 31: Let Them Fight – Inside The Rink
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