The Fall of Ducks Netminder John Gibson

When Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson first came into the league, there was a lot to be impressed with.

Gibson, 29, would post great numbers, make the big save when his team needed one, not allow soft goals, and would be a contributing factor as to why the Ducks would win hockey games. It was a simple recipe for his success in the first few years of his career.

Fast forward to now, and things are very different for the still somewhat young masked man. For starters, his numbers are not very good.

While the Ducks have been one of the worst teams in the league this season, that does not let Gibson off the hook. As of this writing (Thursday, December 29), he is 6-14-0-3 with a 3.88 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage.

Those kinds of numbers certainly will not help a team win hockey games. In fact, Gibson’s goals-against averages have not been great over the last several seasons:

2019-20: 3.00 goals-against average
2020-21: 2.98 goals-against average
2021-22: 3.19 goals-against average

Yes, the Ducks have been one of the worst defensive hockey clubs during those seasons. With that said, Gibson’s less-than-stellar play between the pipes certainly did not help anything.

Secondly, Gibson is not playing with the same kind of confidence that he did when his career was first starting. When he first came into the league, he was usually in a good position for first and second saves, knew how to control rebounds, and the puck certainly did not get behind him as much as it is now.

Let’s take a look at these numbers:

2015-16: 2.07 goals-against average, .920 save percentage, and four shutouts
2016-17: 2.22 goals-against average, .924 save percentage, and six shutouts
2017-18: 2.43 goals-against average, .917 save percentage, and two shutouts

Clearly, his statistics were much better than they are now. The numbers mentioned above are elite-level.

So, which goaltender is Gibson? Is he the one that once played at an elite level, or is he the one that is playing right now?

Only time will tell if Gibson will be ever to regain the form that made him a three-time All-Star.

Episode 91: Season Of The Picks – Late Arrivals: An Anaheim Ducks Podcast

On this episode of LAP, the guys are back and get a re-do after Fridays attempt at recording was swiftly cut short by technical issues. They cover the draft and some of the key moments from the first ever "Flock Party". Some talk about the opening of free agency and the Ducks lack of moves is had and the guys give their thoughts on why that may have been a good thing after all is said and done. Lastly, they talk about the NewEra news and answer listener questions!Follow Late Arrivals Twitter: @latearrivalspodInstagram: @latearrivalspodFollow the hostsChris: @CJKChelConnor: @91_PlutyJake: @_JRobles71Louis: @Louiex37 Intro/ Outro done by Will Rice/ @pastorwillrice

1. Episode 91: Season Of The Picks 01:53:04
2. Episode 90: Pondering Thy Orb 02:04:34
3. Episode 89: The Mighty Debrief 02:07:53
4. Episode 88: Minute Muncher 01:39:34
5. Episode 87: Coach Chaos 01:34:43