From the Anaheim Ducks
During a season of changes for the Ducks last year, the team had consistent goaltending from veteran John Gibson and rookie Lukas Dostal. Despite an early injury to Gibson, the two goalies will be returning for another year in Orange County this fall as our season preview focuses on the goaltending position.
John Gibson
2023-24: 13-27-2 in 44 starts, 3.54 goals against average (GAA), .888 save percentage (SV%)
John Gibson, one of the most accomplished goaltenders in Ducks history, continues to climb the club's all-time leaderboards. He now holds the top spots for career saves (13,294) and appearances (477).
As he enters his 11th NHL season, all with the Ducks, Gibson has been consistently tested as one of the league's top goalkeepers in recent years. However, with an improved defensive lineup for Anaheim in the 2024-25 season, his workload may be reduced.
Gibson has been a durable starter throughout his NHL career, making 50 or more starts for Anaheim in five of the last six full 82-game seasons. However, he will miss the beginning of the season due to emergency appendectomy surgery in late September and is expected to be out for 3-6 weeks.
Lukas Dostal
2023-24: 14-23-23 in 38 starts, 3.33 GAA, .902 SV%, 1 shutout
Lukas Dostal
2023-24: 14-23-23 in 38 starts, 3.33 GAA, .902 SV%, 1 shutout
In each of his professional seasons, 24-year-old Dostal has shown steady growth as a goaltender. Last year, he maintained a .902 save percentage despite a significant increase in ice time. Among NHL rookies, he led in saves (1,181), ranked second in appearances (44), third in starts, and fourth in wins. He also set records for Ducks rookie goaltenders in games played, saves, starts, and shots faced.
One of Dostal's standout moments last season was his impressive performance on March 1 against New Jersey. He stopped 52 of 55 Devils' shots and even denied star center Jack Hughes on a penalty shot with 2.1 seconds left in regulation, helping the Ducks secure a 4-3 win.
According to head coach Greg Cronin, Dostal is an extremely well-prepared athlete who excels in his preparation, visualization, and off-ice conditioning. Cronin praised Dostal's professionalism, humility, and confidence, expressing high expectations for the upcoming season.
With Gibson sidelined, the Ducks will rely on Dostal early in the season. This presents a significant opportunity for the Czech native to demonstrate his ability to handle the workload of a starting goaltender in the NHL.
During the 2024 World Championship, Dostal, along with Ducks captain Radko Gudas, led Czechia to a gold medal on home soil, securing a 2-0 shutout in the championship game.
Gudas praised Dostal's performance, highlighting his composure and confidence despite his young age. Dostal's exceptional play gives the team confidence and support, creating a positive atmosphere in Anaheim.
James Reimer
2023-24: 11-8-2 in 20 starts, 3.11 GAA, .904 SV%, 2 shutouts
The Ducks have signed veteran goalie James Reimer to serve as a backup while Gibson is out. Reimer, who has played for Detroit, San Jose, Carolina, Florida and Toronto, has appeared in 501 NHL games over 14 seasons. Last season with Detroit, he had an 11-8-2 record and two shutouts in 20 starts. Among active NHL goalies, Reimer ranks 10th in wins with 215 and ninth in shutouts with 30. He will start the season as Dostal's backup and may get some early playing time due to a couple of back-to-back games scheduled in October.
2023-24: 10-16-4 in 32 games played (AHL), 3.21 GAA, .897 SV%
Acquired from the Penguins at the 2022 trade deadline in the deal that sent Rickard Rakell to Pittsburgh, Clang played his first full season in North America last year, with a combined 34 appearances between the AHL and ECHL. With Anaheim claiming Reimer on waivers Monday, Clang will likely head to San Diego and compete with Dansk and 2022 sixth-round pick Vyascheslav Buteyets for ice time.
A former third-round pick, Clang skated in two preseason games (61:54 total ice time), posting a 3.88 GAA and .852 SV%.
The Olofstrom, Sweden native owned a career 22-15-0 record with two shutouts, a 2.52 GAA and .906 SV% in 43 games for Rogle of the Swedish Hockey League.
2023-24: 11-12-3 in 27 games played (AHL), 3.22 GAA, .897 SV%
Dansk joined the Ducks in September on a one-year, two-way deal after Tomas Suchanek's season-ending injury. On Sunday, he was assigned to AHL San Diego.
The 30-year-old Dansk has had a varied professional career, with six NHL games under his belt and a 90-50-28 record in 171 career AHL appearances.
Originally picked by Columbus in the second round (31st overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Dansk achieved a 19-18-5 record with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) over the past two seasons. He was honored with the AHL Man of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the Calgary community in both of those seasons.
Dansk has played in two preseason games, accumulating a total of 89 minutes and 17 seconds of ice time, with a 3.36 GAA and .857 SV%.
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