Detroit Red Wings: Can Ville Husso prove to be more durable in ’23-24?

The Detroit Red Wings are hoping that Ville Husso can come out during the 2023-24 season and prove to be a more durable netminder. After all, there’s still some reason that Husso can jump back into the crease and be the primary option for Detroit this season.

After the Detroit Red Wings traded for Husso before the 2022-23 season, there was hope that he could emerge as the 1A option, with Alex Nedeljkovic being in the 1B role as part of an exciting tandem.

However, things did not exactly work out that way. Nedeljkovic ended up sputtering and has headed for greener pastures. On top of that, Magnus Hellberg jumped in as the other 1B option, and he ended up departing after the season’s end as well.

For Husso, things took a turn near the end as an injury kept him off the ice, and he struggled to muster through the majority of the starts he was relied upon for. Husso even stated himself that he was aiming to be better prepared for this fall to come out and be the 1A option that the Red Wings anticipated he would be.

Detroit Red Wings goalie Ville Husso is hoping to show improved durability.

In 2022-23, Husso was called upon for 56 starts by the Red Wings organization. He performed to a 26-22-7 record in his first season as part of his new organization. He managed a .896 save percentage and a 3.11 goals-against average last season.

But for the Red Wings, he has to try and improve those numbers. Even though the record is mediocre, there’s still a likelihood that he will improve in 2023-24, with a better product in front of him as well.

If the Red Wings can come out and establish themselves early this season, Husso might have a better chance to rotate in with new back-ups James Reimer and Alex Lyon being in the mix. While Reimer is the proven veteran, Lyon is also an intriguing addition.

The Red Wings are still relying on Husso as the top option, assuming he will be the team’s number one option as the 1A goalie once again. But, for Husso, he needs to hold up his standard of play for a longer period and be able to be relied upon as a primary goalie.

It’s not that Husso is a bad option or needs to be gotten rid of in lieu of a better option. However, the Red Wings just need to see more consistency and durability from their primary option between the pipes.

The Red Wings just have to keep their fingers crossed with hopes that he can iron things out and tap into the durability he’s hoping to establish in 2023-24.