Pucks of a Feather
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The Anaheim Ducks Sign John Gibson to an Eight Year Contract Extension

By Ciara Durant

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 18: Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) guards the net in the third period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks on April 18, 2018 at SAP Center in San Jose,CA (Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 18: Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) guards the net in the third period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks on April 18, 2018 at SAP Center in San Jose,CA (Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
WINNIPEG, MB – MARCH 23: Goaltender John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks does the splits in the crease as the puck flies over the net during second-period action against the Winnipeg Jets on March 23, 2018. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Best Is Yet To Come

John Gibson is in the prime of his NHL career. He’s still young and agile. Additionally,  he’s learned to overcome his self-debilitating injuries. Despite the injuries that handicapped the Anaheim Ducks over and over again during 2017-18, he still managed to end the regular season with a .926 save percentage (SV%) and a 31-18-7 record.

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Even when the team was healthy, many times Gibson had to carry them due to their inconsistency on the ice. The Ducks advancement to the playoffs pretty much points directly to Gibson’s solid effort in net. The cherry on top is that John Gibson owns the highest career save percentage, at .923%, among goaltenders to play in a minimum of 100 career games since 1955-56.

John Gibson’s new contract gives him a decent, and well-deserved raise. It’s reasonable to assume that Connor Hellebuyck’s recent contract with the Winnipeg Jets, a six-year $37M ($6,167M AAV) extension, served to benefit Gibson in his negotiations with the Ducks. Considering how valuable the young netminder has been to Anaheim,  Murray signed him for a steal of a deal. Gibson could have easily been worth a few million more than his $51.2M contract is worth.

Yes, eight years is a lengthy contract, especially for a goalie. However, this means that John Gibson will most likely play exclusively for the Anaheim Ducks until he decides to hang up his skates. Which, as a huge John Gibson fan is exciting. The contract also goes to show just how much faith Bob Murray has in Gibson and his future with the Ducks.

"“I believe in John Gibson, as does everyone in the organization. This is obviously a major commitment by the club, but one we feel strongly about. John is equally committed to being a Duck. He is only now entering the prime of his career, and we are all confident his best is yet to come.” -Bob Murray, in press release about resigning John Gibson"

With John Gibson, as Bob Murray stated, just entering the prime of his career, this should make Ducks Nation giddy with excitement that Gibson is locked up for the next nine season. He’s only going to get better as he matures and develops.

Having someone like John Gibson in the net, who is reliable and very good at his job, will make the Anaheim Ducks contenders for the Stanley Cup for years to come. The best is ahead and I look forward to many more seasons of Ducks hockey featuring Gibby in the net.

Next. Pucks of a Feather Weekly Highlights: 8/4/18. dark

Yesterday was a big day for number 36. Not only did Gibby sign an eight-year $51.2M contract extension yesterday, but he also got married. On behalf of all of us here at Pucks of a Feather, we extend our congratulations to our star netminder!

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