Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson’s trade value may have taken a significant hit on Saturday when he was ruled out of the team’s game against the Boston Bruins due to an upper-body injury. Gibson, who had been one of the few bright spots for the Ducks this season, was forced to leave the game after playing two solid periods. He had stopped 19 out of 20 shots before being replaced by backup goalie Lukas Dostal for the third period. The exact moment of the injury is unclear, leaving fans and analysts to speculate about its potential impact on Gibson’s future, both for the Ducks and in the trade market.

This injury came at a time when the Ducks, who hold a 24-24-6 record, have been performing below expectations, sitting outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference. As a result, speculation surrounding Gibson’s trade prospects has been rising. Despite the Ducks’ struggles as a team, Gibson has been consistently one of the top performers. According to Money Puck, Gibson was among the league’s leaders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes played heading into Saturday’s matchup with the Bruins. This level of performance has solidified his status as one of the top goaltending assets available in the trade market for teams looking to shore up their netminding.

Gibson’s skill set and experience have made him an attractive potential target for contending teams in need of a reliable goaltender. With the Ducks’ playoff hopes dwindling, trading Gibson for valuable assets to help with the team’s long-term rebuilding process could be an appealing option. However, his upper-body injury raises some questions about how it may affect his trade value moving forward. Depending on the severity and recovery time, interested teams might reconsider their pursuit or request a deeper evaluation of Gibson’s condition before committing to a trade.

Complicating matters is Gibson’s contract situation. He is under a $6.4 million salary cap hit for two more seasons after this one, which could either be a benefit or a burden to potential suitors. On one hand, his cap hit is reasonable for a starting goaltender of his caliber. On the other hand, a team might be hesitant to take on that financial commitment, particularly if they are uncertain about Gibson’s health status.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Gibson’s injury, he remains one of the top trade chips available ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. Teams looking for an experienced and reliable goaltender could see past his injury woes and view him as a key addition for a playoff push. However, for the Ducks, the situation is now a delicate balancing act between assessing the severity of Gibson’s injury and deciding whether to move forward with a trade that could set the franchise up for success in the years to come.

As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Gibson’s recovery. The Ducks will need to closely monitor his condition, as his ability to return to full health will play a crucial role in determining whether or not they can successfully trade him to a playoff contender. For now, the future of the 31-year-old goaltender hangs in the balance, and his injury could prove to be a pivotal moment in his career with the Ducks.