Carlyle was spending a lot of time around the Ducks even before he replaced Bruce Boudreau as coach June 14, 2016, so he is familiar with Gibson and his progression. After spending a season coaching Gibson, Carlyle said he was impressed, noting that he took a step as a young goalie.
"Now he's a 24-year-old goaltender," Carlyle said. "As long as he can continue to show us that he can take the next step, that's really what is going to be the culmination of the steps he takes, that he will be through and through a very effective No. 1 goaltender in the League."
One of the reasons Anaheim lost to Nashville in the conference final was its power play faltered (2-for-18, 11.1 percent). It was no coincidence that Eaves, who provided a net-front presence on the man-advantage, missed the series because of an ankle injury he sustained in Game 3 of the second round against the Edmonton Oilers.
Beyond getting Eaves to stay, the Ducks also rewarded their No. 1 defenseman, Cam Fowler, with an eight-year contract reportedly worth $52 million July 1. Fowler said he believes the ups and downs of the past few seasons have prepared the Ducks to take the next step.