Traverse City — Goaltender John Gibson spent 11 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks and the majority of them were memorable. Many victories and playoff appearances, and there was a no question it was Gibson’s net.
The last several years, though, weren’t as special. The Ducks were rebuilding, the defeats mounted, Gibson was defenseless in front of a young, inexperienced team, and the playoffs were a distant memory.
Gradually, Gibson also lost his grip on the starting job to Lukas Dostal, a talented young prospect. So Gibson wasn’t shocked when the Ducks traded him to the Red Wings in June during NHL Draft weekend.
It’s fair to wonder, though, if that ending in Anaheim will motivate Gibson even further, and give him a sense of proving doubters wrong.
“Maybe a little bit,” Gibson said. “But I’m just leaving that in the past and excited for a fresh start here, and hopefully get this team back to the playoffs. That’s my focus.
“What happened there (Anaheim) is in the past.”
Gibson, 32, saw injuries cut into his playing time last season. But in 29 appearances, Gibson had an 11-11-2 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. It was his best season in the last few years, and gave the Wings plenty of reason to acquire Gibson in a trade for goaltender Petr Mrazek and draft picks.
The trade appears to have excited the locker room.
“I believe it does,” coach Todd McLellan said. “I have sensed around the group — I haven’t asked directly — but they’re real excited about having him here and feel he could be a difference-maker. Gibby’s effect on our team has been real positive.”
Gibson arrived in the Detroit area with his family, from his native Pittsburgh, approximately two weeks ago. He was involved in some informal skates at Belfor Training Center and has gotten to know new teammates.
But the time in training camp is proving to be extremely beneficial in terms of strengthening relationships and learning how the Wings operate on the ice.
“For me it’s just getting to know everybody,” Gibson said. “Know their tendencies and getting on the same page. I’ve been here for a bit and had two weeks of captain’s skates, so just getting to know everybody, and now it’s putting the details together and making sure we’re on the same page to start the season strong.”
Gibson emphasized, for him, training camp and the exhibition season is about getting in rhythm with the teammates in front of him.
“It’s just timing and getting on the same page with the defense,” Gibson said. “When we do power play and penalty kill, and learn how they kill penalties … and personally, it’s getting my reads down and tracking (the puck). It sounds basic, but you do stuff all summer and get here and it’s high tempo and higher pace.”
The pace of the Wings’ practices in Traverse City this week has stood out.
“Definitely getting up and down the ice here the first few days,” said Gibson. “They’ve put an emphasis on quickness. Todd goes to the (drawing) board and as soon as he’s done, the drill starts and it’s all about quickness and tempo. You can definitely see that here. Everybody wants to play with high tempo and pace.”
Several players, and McLellan, have noticed an excited Gibson around the rink, as the veteran goaltender aims for a big season.
Captain Dylan Larkin teamed with Gibson at the 2016 World Cup, playing for Team North America, and feels Gibson was a “great addition” to the Wings.
“He’s an established goalie,” Larkin said. “When he gets hot, he can dangerous. We’re hoping he can build his confidence here, and talking to him, he’s excited about being a Red Wing.”
Gibson looks “rejuvenated and excited” in McLellan’s estimation.
“Which is a real positive for him and for us,” McLellan said. “But we need all of our goaltending in the organization to step up and give a little bit more and we have to work better around them. Gibby can give us that and a sense of confidence and a feeling if we make a mistake he’ll be there for us.
“But Talbs (Cam Talbot) can do that too.”
At this point, McLellan isn’t putting a number on how many starts he wants to give Gibson or Talbot.
“We’ll start but letting it play out,” McLellan said. “So many unforeseen circumstances (develop). Somebody gets hot, an injury, so many different thigs that throw that ratio out of whack.
“We’ll start the season and see where it takes us.”
After the last several seasons in Anaheim, Gibson simply wants to re-establish himself and help the Wings win games. After missing the playoffs the last several seasons in Anaheim, that also provides hunger for Gibson to help end the Wings’ nine-year playoff drought.
“I train to make sure I’m in the best shape to play as many games as possible,” Gibson said. “In the past, when I can get into a groove is when I’m playing games, but nothing is given. You have to earn everything, so I just come here and play my game and not going to try to change anything.
“That’s everybody’s goal, to make the playoffs. I’ve said it before, you get spoiled. The first five or six years (in Anaheim), we were expecting to win the Pacific Division and there was no thought of missing the playoffs. It was just expected. You take it for granted.
“When you go through something like that (missing the playoffs), there’s a hunger to get back.”
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan