The Detroit Red Wings have to be feeling good once they return from the Olympic break, as they are firmly in playoff position with over 20 games left in the regular season. There are still areas of improvement they need to make and positions of need they have to bolster. One area that has been great for the Red Wings this far into the season is goaltending, and that’s thanks to John Gibson.

Before the season, the Red Wings acquired Gibson in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks. The start to the season has been far from perfect for Gibson, but as he got more games in, he’s become one of the top goaltenders in the game.

Gibson has been the solution to Detroit’s lengthy goaltending woes. But they have a decision to make in the very near future, and that’s what kind of contract they sign him to.

Red Wings have looming contract decision with John Gibson

Gibson didn’t have the greatest of starts when arriving to the Red Wings. In October, he posted a 4-3-0 record, a 3.32 goals allowed average, and a .875 save percentage. In November, Gibson went 0-4-1 with a 3.91 goals allowed average and a .853 save percentage. Through those first two months, it looked like a lost trade for the Red Wings. But then, something clicked for Gibson and he’s been playing at a whole other level.

In December, Gibson recorded a 2.21 goals allowed average and a .925 save percentage while going 9-1-0 in 10 games. I January, Gibson put up a 8-3-1 record, a 2.13 goals allowed average and a .920 save percentage.

It seems as though with more reps and with a chemistry built with his teammates, particularly with the defense. If Gibson keeps up at the pace he had since December, he could very well be the difference maker the Red Wings need to not only make the playoffs, but also to make a deep run.

Beyond this season, the Red Wings and General Manager have to decide what they want to do with Gibson. The veteran goaltender is under contract for one more season before hitting free agency in the summer of 2027. Even with his lengthy career, Gibson will be 34 years old come the start of the 2027-28 season.

As for what kind of deal Gibson could command, The Athletic’s Max Bultman hinted he could get a contract similar in term as what Linus Ullmark got from the Ottawa Senators if he were to hit the open market.

“While a two-year extension would certainly be ideal for Detroit, I doubt Gibson would have to settle for just two years on the open market. Linus Ullmark got a four-year extension in Ottawa at age 31. He was coming off back-to-back top-six Vezina finishes, including winning the award in 2023, so I’m not saying Gibson will get the same average annual value as Ullmark’s $8.25 million. But the point is, proven goalies are generally still able to get real term into their 30s,” writes Bultman.

The Red Wings will have to decide whether their top goalie prospects, Sebastian Cossa or Trey Augustine, are ready to make the jump to the pros to eventually be the starter. Cossa appears to be the most likely to make the jump, but would they move on from Gibson, especially if he continues to play at a high level?

It’s not a decision that the Red Wings, Yzerman, and Gibson will have to make until a bit down the road. But, it is one that is going to linger, especially if Gibson continues to log more impressive starts for the remainder of his contract.