Could Ville Husso be a Target for the Red Wings?
The Detroit Red Wings are in a position to start spending money in free agency again. The past couple seasons, there hasn’t really been a need to do so because of how far away they were, but this off-season is different.
It’s no secret that the Detroit Red Wings are in a very tough Atlantic division, but the Red Wings could still have something going for them. They still have awhile to go before I could truly say that they are ready to compete, but I will say it’s time to start picking it up and making some blockbuster moves once again.
The Red Wings took the biggest step up in some time this past season. Partially lead by rookies: Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider. Of course, those weren’t the only two players to step up. They also had Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakub Vrana, and Filip Hronek. All of those players really did well this past season.
Looking ahead to what the Red Wings need to improve on, there are two things. First, they need to find away to improve upon their bottom half, right-handed defenseman and their top four left-handed defenseman. Secondly, the Red Wings need to figure out their next step at goalie.
I know some of you guys may see that second one as a little weird given the fact that they have Sebastian Cossa who is coming off a great season. However, if you take a look around the league, it’s not often that goalie’s are able to come in and compete so early on in their career. Furthermore, you definetly do not want to rush him up to the NHL.
Cossa could be one of the best goalies this organization has had in some time, but if you rush him into the NHL, his growth and development won’t be as good which means jepordizing his career.
Instead, I think you need to consider the following: First, have Cossa in the AHL to start the season. Secondly, let Thomas Greiss walk in free agency. Third, sign Ville Husso.
The Red Wings Should Target Ville Husso This Off-Season
The Detroit Red Wings currently have a goalie tandem of Alex Nedeljkovic and Thomas Greiss. Nedeljkovic, who was a former goalie of the Carolina Hurricanes, was acquired by the Red Wings this past off-season. What makes that trade so interesting is the discrepincy between rather or not he’s worth keeping around.
Nedeljkovic creates a weird scenario for the Red Wings. Nedeljkovic, who only a year ago was competing for the Calder trophy, was so inconsistent this past season that his value to the organization is arguable. Rather or not they keep him around though, they for sure need to acquire or obtain the rights to a goalie who can handle the goalie one spot. That’s where Ville Husso comes into play.
Ville Husso beat out former Stanley cup champion, Jordan Binnington, this season. After Binnington struggled for a couple months, Husso took over as the St. Louis Blues starting goalie. It wasn’t until Husso lost two playoff games to the Wild that Binnington reclaimed his role as the Blues goalie. So, how does that work in the Red Wings favor? Well, here’s why.
Ville Husso’s value is higher than what the Blues will be able to afford. Furthermore, Husso is going to want to find a place where he can act as the every-day goalie for a team and the Red Wings need someone who can do that.
Nedeljkovic may be able to beat out Husso on his good days, but looking at the big picture, the Red Wings need a goalie one like Husso. Even if it’s simply to raise the bar for Nedeljkovic and try to get even more out of him which I’m not opposed to either.
The second reason why I feel this signing would be a good fit for both Husso and the Red Wings is the fact that Husso has experiance in this league and is coming off his best season. He’s finally starting to hit his prime and he could be a great bridge goalie to Cossa when he’s ready to come up to the NHL.
Additionally, after Husso lost two games in the playoffs to the Minnesota Wild, it’s likely that his value may have decreased a little bit. But he now has true playoff experiance that could be beneficial to a team like the Red Wings moving forward.
I’m not exactly sure what type of contract Husso would be looking for given his current age and his previous seasons of play, but the Red Wings could be a great fit for him.