Capitals Call Up Goalie Mitch Gibson

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 11, 2026 5:59 PM ET

The Washington Capitals recalled goaltender Mitch Gibson from AHL Hershey on Tuesday. He is expected to serve as Logan Thompson’s backup tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Head coach Spencer Carbery confirmed the move, via Filmogaz.com. Charlie Lindgren missed practice yesterday with an undisclosed injury.

Roster context

Gibson began the season as the club’s fifth-string netminder. He ranked behind Logan Thompson, Charlie Lindgren, Clay Stevenson, and Garin Bjorklund on the depth chart.

Capitals Call Up Goalie Mitch Gibson to provide immediate depth. He was not on an NHL contract at the season’s start.

Contract and recent transactions

The team signed Gibson to a two-year, two-way contract in February. That move restored his NHL rights and made him a formal call-up option.

The club placed him on waivers the same day he signed. He cleared waivers without being claimed.

Professional path and early season

Drafted in the fourth round by Washington in 2018, Gibson has been in the organization since 2023. He began the year on a minor-league deal and opened the season with ECHL South Carolina.

He rose to Hershey in December after an injury created openings. He has since competed with Stevenson for primary call-up positioning.

Performance this season

South Carolina (ECHL): .917 save percentage, 2.32 GAA in 13 games.
Hershey (AHL): .907 save percentage, 2.79 GAA in 22 outings.
Record with Hershey: 9-8-5 with one shutout.

Milestones and next steps

The 26-year-old would dress for his first NHL regular-season game if he takes the backup spot. He had only been rostered once before as a playoff emergency backup.

If Washington shuts Lindgren down for the final four regular-season games, Gibson could make his debut during the weekend back-to-back with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team still has an outside playoff chance.

Washington trails the Ottawa Senators by five points for the second wild-card spot. MoneyPuck gives the Caps a 3% chance to reach the playoffs. That probability rises to 5% with a win over Toronto tonight.