The Anaheim Geese earned a 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday (Nov. 27) to enhance to 4-1-1. The Geese’ current success has been encouraging, as consistency has been tough to attain throughout a 9-9-3 begin to the 2024-25 season.
Off the ice, rumors proceed to swirl round a few gamers who aren’t strangers to having their names talked about in commerce hypothesis. Moreover, Geese’ prospect Stian Solberg, chosen twenty third total within the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, is poised to characterize Norway at one other worldwide competitors.
Gibson Commerce Speak Gaining Steam Once more
John Gibson has been a well-liked commerce candidate for years, however NHL insider Pierre LeBrun is satisfied {that a} transfer involving the Geese’ longtime netminder may lastly occur (from ‘NHL rumblings: What the commerce market appears to be like like for Geese goalie John Gibson,’ The Athletic, Nov. 20, 2024). The 31-year-old netminder’s contract, which nonetheless has two seasons remaining at a $6.4 million cap hit, has been a significant stumbling block. Nonetheless, LeBrun believes common supervisor (GM) Pat Verbeek can be prepared to retain wage, one thing he has been reluctant to do.
Gibson has been wonderful his season, posting a 4-0-1 file with a 2.57 goals-against common (GAA) and a .919 save proportion (SV%) in 5 begins. He was excellent in Wednesday’s win over the Kraken, stopping 42 photographs. The Geese have additionally acquired very good goaltending from Lukas Dostal, who has posted a mark of 5-7-2 with one shutout, a 2.72 GAA, and a .922 SV% by way of 14 outings. Dostal is proving he can function the No. 1 goalie now and sooner or later, growing the prospect that Gibson may play elsewhere earlier than the season ends. It’s also useful that Gibson is performing nicely and boosting his commerce worth, however holding him for an additional season is an possibility.
Associated: Geese Ought to Select Elite Goalie Tandem Over John Gibson Commerce
LeBrun envisions the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes as potential suits for Gibson. Nonetheless, he acknowledges that the Avalanche nonetheless place confidence in Alexandar Georgiev, regardless of his struggles, whereas pointing to his skill to carry out higher within the playoffs. The 28-year-old puckstopper received the higher of two-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck within the first spherical of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche even have issues with wage cap area that might make a commerce difficult.
Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky has been doing his due diligence on the goalie market (from ‘Re-signing Necas, coping with Andersen’s newest harm and extra: Catching up with Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky,’ The Athletic, Nov. 18, 2024). Frederik Andersen hasn’t performed since Oct. 26 towards the Kraken due to a knee harm. He underwent surgical procedure on Nov. 22 and acquired an 8-12 week timeline for his restoration. Pyotr Kochetkov may return quickly after sustaining a concussion on Nov. 23 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nonetheless, the Hurricanes may use insurance coverage between the pipes, and buying Gibson would make sense.
LeBrun additionally talked about the Edmonton Oilers as a possible commerce vacation spot however as extra of a dark-horse chance. For the time being, he doesn’t get the sense that goaltending is the workforce’s focus. It will additionally contain extra participant motion than the workforce is able to deal with, and the cap implications can be troublesome. Regardless of the query marks within the crease, the Oilers may be extra inclined to hunt defensive assist earlier than the March 7 commerce deadline somewhat than making an attempt to land a goaltender.
Flyers Again within the Combine for Zegras?
Trevor Zegras was linked to some groups final season, together with the Philadelphia Flyers. Kevin Kurz of The Athletic believes GM Daniel Briere must take a extra aggressive method to discovering a high-end, play-driving middle, and revisiting a potential commerce with the Geese for Zegras could possibly be a viable possibility (from ‘Flyers inventory watch: Who’s trending up, who’s trending down after 20 video games?,’ The Athletic, Nov. 21, 2024).
After an ice-cold begin to 2024-25, during which he had one aim and two assists by way of 15 video games, Zegras has heated up offensively. He has three objectives and 7 factors throughout his final six contests, together with two markers and 4 helpers throughout his four-game level streak. The 23-year-old ahead is signed by way of the 2025-26 season with a $5.75 million cap hit. There hasn’t been as a lot commerce chatter round him this marketing campaign, however that might change if he continues to provide.
Solberg Set to Play in Slovenia
Norway was relegated to the 2025 Division 1 A after posting a file of 0-0-1-4 on the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. The event runs from Dec. 9-15, and Solberg was named the pre-camp roster, which might be held two days earlier than the roster will get finalized for the competitors.
The 18-year-old ought to be thought-about a lock to play after representing Norway on the 2024 IIHF World Championship, the place he contributed two objectives and one help in seven appearances. He additionally performed for his nation in qualification video games for the 2026 Winter Olympics, accumulating two assists in three matches. The hard-hitting defender has 4 helpers in 16 contests with Farjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League this season.
Geese Host Kings to Wrap Up November
The Geese will look to finish November on a excessive word with a win over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday (Nov. 29). The Kings sit third within the Pacific Division with a 12-8-3 file and earned a 4-1 victory over the Geese on Oct. 20. Friday’s contest is the start of a four-game homestand for Anaheim, which can see the membership host the Ottawa Senators on Sunday (Dec. 1), the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday (Dec. 4), and the Minnesota Wild on Friday (Dec. 6). The Geese personal a mark of 4-6-1 at Honda Middle this season.
