The Detroit Red Wings made a bold move to acquire John Gibson this offseason, but so far, he has been the backup.
Cam Talbot has been playing well and will start again on Wednesday when Detroit takes on the Florida Panthers. Talbot will be making his third-straight start, which is a surprise, and Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan explained why Talbot is starting again.
“The performance that Talbs had, in my opinion, he earned the right to go back in there again,” McLellan said. “We have a game on Friday. We know that Gibby’s got to play, will play and will play a lot and well. We’re just making a decision for today.”
McLellan, meanwhile, also praised Talbot after Detroit’s road win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.
“We were always chasing the game, as they were the other night,” McLellan said. “The quicker, harder and faster team hemmed the slower team. Goaltending was huge, obviously. Talbs’ superior effort in the pipes to give us even a chance to find a way to some points. But then, still the resilience. We gave up a two-goal lead and didn’t quit. It didn’t look like we were real polished, but we didn’t quit. That’s a good sign.”
Gibson started the first game of the season for Detroit and struggled. He allowed 5 goals on 13 shots and was pulled for Talbot.
Talbot, meanwhile, is 2-0 with a 2.11 GAA and a .925 SV% and has taken full control of the starter’s net. Whether or not he’s the full-time starter moving forward, or just for this spurt, is to be seen.
But, for now, Talbot is the Red Wings’ goalie while Gibson will finally get back into game action on Friday.
Talbot Focused on Making Saves He’s Supposed to Make
Although Talbot was expected to be the backup, he doesn’t care.
Instead, when Talbot does get the start and playing time, he has a simple goal.
“I felt good from the get-go,” Talbot said after Monday’s win. “Made a couple big stops early and confidence grows, especially after last game. I’m just trying to make the saves I’m supposed to make and give our team a chance to win. I feel like I was able to do that tonight.”
Talbot is in his 13th NHL season, so he knows what is expected of him when he’s in the crease. The veteran is in his second season with the Red Wings and is in the final year of his two-year, $5 million deal.
Red Wings Expected Gibson to be an Upgrade
Detroit has struggled to find a true No. 1 goalie, so the trade of Gibson was to help solidify that.
Gibson has been a star goalie in the NHL in the past, so Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made a bold move to acquire the goalie.
Following the trade being made, Yzerman made it clear that Gibson was going to be an upgrade over what they had.
“John has been, throughout the course of his career, a proven starter and a good starter in the NHL,” Yzerman said. “And you know, as Anaheim has gone through their rebuilding process, that probably affected his play a little bit. As their team gets better, they have a good young goaltender in Dostal. John is looking for more opportunity to play and we’re counting on him, obviously, to give us quality starts and upgrade our team net.”
Gibson is in the seventh year of an eight-year, $51.2 million deal.
Red Wings Coach Explains Surprise Goalie Decision