A bit of a Detroit Red Wings news dump for your Wednesday evening.
The Detroit Red Wings have recalled goaltender Ville Husso under emergency conditions. Since accepting the head coaching role in Detroit, Todd McLellan has turned to Alex Lyon far more often than expected, knowing his history with Cam Talbot, having him in both Edmonton and Los Angeles. Also, Talbot was performing as a top-eight goaltender before suffering a minor injury before the holidays.
In fairness, since returning from a lower-body injury, Lyon has performed exceptionally well, and it is apparent McLellan elected to roll with the hot hand. Unfortunately, Lyon suffered an upper-body injury during Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Lyon finished the first period but did not return to the ice or the bench for the second period and beyond, giving way to Talbot, who was marvelous in the third period after a shaky second frame. It's difficult for a goaltender to enter the game cold on a day they are not expecting to play. Still, after he settled in, Talbot became a big reason why the Red Wings were able to hold on and eventually beat their rival in overtime.
Once again, the Detroit Red Wings will rely on Ville Husso to perform at a sufficient level when called upon primarily as a backup this time around. Husso was fairly good in his last stint when he was pressed into duty as the everyday starter with both Talbot and Lyon sidelined. His overall numbers this season at the NHL level are not very impressive. He's 1-4-2 with a 3.47 goals-against average and 0.877 save percentage. During his most recent recall, Husso was able to string together three good starts against Boston, Ottawa, and Colorado. In those games, he posted a 0.914 or better save percentage.
Then there was that stinker against the Sabres where Husso was pulled after one period after allowing three goals on just seven shots. Ironically, the Red Wings eventually won that contest in a shootout thanks to Sebastian Cossa's nice effort in his NHL debut. The last time Husso saw NHL action was in mid-December against the Maple Leafs. The Red Wings won that game behind a nice effort out of the 29-year-old netminder, who made 23 saves, allowing just a pair of goals. This season with the Griffins, though, Husso has been beyond outstanding. He's posted a 7-1-0 record with three shutouts, a 1.64 goals-against average, and a 0.942 save percentage.
Detroit Red Wings place Jeff Petry on injured reserve
The Detroit Red Wings have also placed veteran defenseman Jeff Petry on injured reserve retroactive to January 2nd. Petry has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury he suffered against the Columbus Blue Jackets. If he's ready, he will be eligible to return on Friday against the Blackhawks. Petry, 37, is averaging over 19 minutes per night this season and has accumulated one goal and six points through 34 games.
Since McLellan took over behind Detroit's bench, Petry has once again found himself paired with Simon Edvinsson, and the two have rekindled some chemistry. The change helps balance out Detroit's backend rather than having it so top-heavy.
Detroit Red Wings top goaltending prospect named to the AHL All-Star Classic
Sebastian Cossa along with veteran winger Austin Watson will represent the Grand Rapids Griffins this year at the AHL All-Star Classic. The 22-year-old, former No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Level Draft is enjoying a stellar season with the Griffins. He's posted a 10-6-3 record with a 2.30 goals-against average to go with a 0.918 save percentage and one shutout.
“I’ve had a pretty good year so far,” Cossa said. “It’s a cool achievement to get...obviously, a lot of credit goes to my team. We’re a really defensively-minded team. Look at the numbers with all of our goalies; everyone’s got really good numbers, and we have a really good team here. Obviously, one day, I’ll look back and kind of cherish these moments and stuff. So excited for the moment, and try to take in as much I can.”
Watson, 32, will take part in his first ever All-Star event at the professional level. The gritty winger joined the Detroit Red Wings organization this past summer on a professional tryout (PTO) and was eventually signed. Watson has appeared in two games with the Red Wings this season without recording a point. With the Griffins, he's amassed nine goals and 25 points through 31 games. He's a plus-10 and has accumulated 56 penalty minutes.
Griffins head coach Dan Watson is also going to the AHL All-Star Classic as the head coach of the Central, thanks to leading Grand Rapids to the best record in the division as of January 1st. The Griffins currently sit atop the Central Division with a 20-10-3 record. That is good for 43 points and a six-point lead over the second-place Texas Stars.
Detroit Red Wings interested in forward Dylan Cozens?
By now, you've heard that the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres had been engaged in trade conversations leading up to the holiday roster freeze. Apparently, those conversations continue to take place, and it's supposedly centered around Buffalo forward Dylan Cozens.
Cozens, 23, was selected seventh overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Level Draft, one pick after Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings took Moritz Seider. I'd say that worked out well for Detroit. If I am being candid, I hoped Detroit was planning on selecting Cozens at the time, and I would be lying if I told you I was thrilled when they passed on him. I suppose that is reason number 1,257 why I am not currently a general manager. Cozens has recorded 74 goals and 186 points through 321 NHL games for the Sabres. This season, he's notched eight goals and 20 points and is a minus-14 in 41 games. There is a lot of upside to Cozens' game, as a 21 year old he scored 31 goals and he'd be a good young addition to this current Red Wings roster.