Most goalies take some time before reaching the NHL and many don’t actually get a full-time role in the league until their mid-20s. John Gibson wasn’t one of them, making his jump to the NHL early and even splitting games with Frederik Andersen for the Ducks at just 22 years old.
Since then, Gibson has gone on to be one of the NHL’s top goalies from year to year. Even after a down season, there shouldn’t be any concerns going forward. Gibson will be turning 27 years old this summer and I wanted to take a look at how his career has stacked up thus far against other NHL goalies who took on a large role at a young age.
Here’s a list of current NHL goalies and their save percentage from the time they entered the league until the end of their season played at 26 years old (turned 26 years old by Dec. 31 of that season). Only goalies who had played at least 150 games by the end of their season played at 26 years old were included.
Gibson's career so far measures up very well against some of the league’s best goalies from the past decade. He was tied for fourth in save percentage while also playing the third-most games amongst the 20 current NHL goalies who had played 150 games by the end of their season played at 26 years old.
He’s only really gained recognition as one of the league’s best goalies in the last year or two but has had one of the strongest starts to a career of any current NHL goalie who entered the league at a young age.
Here’s today’s poll question (results and discussion will be posted this weekend):
Where would you rank John Gibson amongst all other NHL goalies?
Anaheim Ducks Blogger • 
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