Gibson says Ducks 'more than capable' of winning Stanley Cup

John Gibson, who signed an eight-year contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, said he believes their window to win the Stanley Cup remains open.

"If you look at the team we have back, and if we can stay healthy, I think we're up there with anybody," Gibson said Tuesday. "I think maybe people count us out a little bit because our core got a little older and everything, but I think us in the locker room think we're more than capable to be there in the end and bring a Cup to Anaheim."
RELATED: [Gibson signs eight-year contract extension with Ducks]
Financial terms of Gibson's extension were not disclosed. The 25-year-old goaltender has one season remaining on a three-year contract extension he signed Sept. 21, 2015, and could have become a restricted free agent after this season. His new extension will take effect next season and go through 2026-27.
"It's the only place I've ever played, so it felt like home from the beginning," Gibson said. "Obviously, you've got to get used to it, but now, being there for how many years, five or six years, I can't really picture playing anywhere else."
Selected by Anaheim in the second round (No. 39) of the 2011 NHL Draft, Gibson has played five seasons with the Ducks, including the past two as the No. 1 goalie after Frederik Andersen was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 20, 2016.

"When they traded [Andersen], that was kind of when you think it's my time to take over as the guy because they traded the other guy away," Gibson said. "You feel the pressure to step up and prove to the team they made the right decision."
Gibson went 31-18-7 in 60 starts last season and ranked fourth in the NHL in save percentage (.926) and eighth in goals-against average (2.43) among goalies to play at least 40 games, but his durability has been an issue.
He missed 17 of the final 21 games of the 2016-17 regular season because of a lower-body injury, and then left Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Nashville Predators with a similar injury and did not return for Game 6, when the Ducks were eliminated. Gibson said that injury carried over to last season, when he was out for eight games and was unable to finish six others.
"I want to make sure I get stronger this summer," Gibson said. "Last year, it seemed like it was one injury that was lingering on a bit. Never fully got better. I definitely made sure I focused on that injury to take care of it this summer so I can come back with no restrictions or limitations. Get that under control, which I did."
Gibson said his experience with the Ducks made it a "no-brainer" to commit long term to them. He signed the contract the same day he got married.
"It was definitely exciting," Gibson said. "A lot to take in. I was talking to my agent a lot before the wedding. Me and my wife are obviously very excited to be in Anaheim for the next nine years."
Gibson's contract is the longest on the Ducks roster, and with veteran forwards Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry each 33 years old, he knows he may soon be needed in a leadership role.

"I haven't really thought about it because, obviously, with the guys we have there, I can't really picture being without them," he said. "It's something I look forward to and I'm excited about."
The Ducks, who were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, have qualified for the playoffs in each of the past six seasons, including two trips to the conference final in the past four seasons. Their lone Stanley Cup championship came in 2007.
"I can't think of a better place to play," Gibson said. "It's great to be a part of the future of this team moving forward and hopefully bring a Stanley Cup back to Anaheim."