John Gibson back at practice with Detroit Red Wings day after injury

4 hours ago7 min read2 comments

Alright, Red Wings fans, let's talk about the collective sigh of relief you could probably hear across Detroit yesterday. John Gibson, the guy who bailed on Thursday's 6-3 W against the Ducks with what Coach Todd McLellan so mysteriously called an 'upper-body issue,' was already back between the pipes at practice on Friday.No official word on his status for the weekend's back-to-back—Buffalo on Saturday, then a trip to the Rangers on Sunday—but just seeing him manning a net is a massive deal. It’s like when your favorite character in a show seems to get written off, only to show up in the next episode like nothing happened.The timing here couldn't be more critical. Behind Gibson, the goalie situation was starting to look like a M*A*S*H unit.Down in the minors, both Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postiva are dealing with their own knocks, which is why the front office just inked Dustin Tokarski to a professional tryout and has Carter Gylander on speed dial. If Gibson had to miss any real time, we'd be looking at a serious test of the team's depth, the kind of scenario that can derail a promising start faster than you can say 'playoff bubble.' The Wings, sitting at a solid 10-7-0, are in that crucial part of the season where every point matters, and having your number one goalie healthy is non-negotiable. Cam Talbot was holding down the other net in practice, and while he's a solid veteran, this is Gibson's crease to lose.Remember, this is a team that finally found its scoring touch with a power-play boost against Anaheim; the last thing they need is instability in the last line of defense. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes drama that doesn't always make the highlight reels but absolutely defines a season.For a franchise looking to claw its way back to perennial contention, a healthy Gibson isn't just a piece of the puzzle—he's the cornerstone. So, for now, everyone can probably relax, put the panic buttons away, and hope that Friday's practice was a sign of business as usual, because the schedule isn't getting any easier.

#hottest news

#John Gibson

#Detroit Red Wings

#injury update

#practice return

#goaltender

#NHL

#Anaheim Ducks