DETROIT >> The Red Wings are taking a big step to solidify their goaltending.

The Wings acquired goaltender John Gibson from Anaheim on Saturday for goaltender Petr Mrazek and two future draft picks — a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 fourth-rounder.

Gibson, 31, has been rumored to be leaving Anaheim in a trade for several years, with the Wings always being a possible destination. On Saturday, it finally happened.

The emergence of young Anaheim goaltender Lukas Dostal made Gibson available.

General manager Steve Yzerman feels the Wings have upgraded the goaltending position with the trade, with Gibson handling the net with Cam Talbot.

“John has been, throughout the course of his career, proven to be a good starter in the NHL,” Yzerman said. “Anaheim has gone through its rebuilding process, and it affected his play a little bit. The team gets better and they have a good young goaltender in Dostal, and John is looking for an opportunity to play. We’re counting on him, obviously, to give us quality starts and upgrade our team in net.”

Yzerman made initial contact with Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek, who used to be Yzerman’s assistant in Tampa, in March at the trade deadline. But Gibson was hurt at the time, ending any discussions. Yzerman and Verbeek reopened discussions this offseason, with Gibson looking for more of an opportunity to play.

Gibson was generally considered to be the best goaltender available this summer, either through trade or free agency.

“Taking into account the player we’re acquiring, and what we have to give up to acquire him, what I like about this is we think John has a lot of good hockey left in him,” Yzerman said. “We’re very hopeful of that and believe in that, and we thought it was a good option. He’s signed for two (more) seasons and that gives us, both of us, options to see how things play out.”

Gibson was 11-11-2 with the Ducks last season in 29 games, with a 2.77 goals-against average and .911 save percentage, while being phased out as the No. 1 goalie.

Gibson has played 506 career games and has a 204-217-63 record, with a 2.89 GAA and .910 SVS. He’s spent his entire 12-year career with the Ducks.

“We’re hopeful, again, that John has historically, throughout his career, been a good goaltender,” Yzerman said. “Anaheim went through a rebuilding process and they are coming out of that. We’re sitting here today, banking on John has battled through that and will be able to maintain a high level. We like to think we’re a reasonably solid team that is moving forward, and that he’ll be fine in this role.

“We just think he’s a good goaltender and the best option for us right now. We’re hopeful and expecting him to perform at a high level next year.”

A Pittsburgh native, Gibson has two years remaining on his contract with a $6.4 million annual average value.

Mrazek was acquired at the trade deadline from Chicago, but he only played five games with the Wings before getting injured and missing the remainder of the season.

Goaltender Alex Lyon can be an unrestricted free agent Tuesday. Yzerman indicated he would talk to Lyon about potentially being the third goaltender on the roster, as the Wings have chosen to go with three goaltenders the last two seasons.

Yzerman said prospect Sebastian Cossa will remain in Grand Rapids, along with newly signed Czechian undrafted free agent Michal Postava.