Detroit may have found one goaltender, and they only need one more
Alex Lyon shouldn’t be a starting goaltender or a 1A, but the late-bloomer makes for an incredible backup or 1B, as the Red Wings should look to keep him around while moving on from James Reimer and Ville Husso. Luckily, Lyon has another year left on his deal, so only a trade or a buyout would cause him to go elsewhere, but Reimer’s contract will expire.
Husso also has another season left to go with a $4.75 AAV, plus a modified no-trade clause, which could make him tough to trade, but he often held the team back when he lined up between the pipes. He was the only Red Wings goaltender with at least 19 appearances who never recorded a shutout, and his 3.55 GAA was also an eyesore, so Detroit must look for a better option in the offseason.
If they find one, this team will be set in the crease for the first time in a while. That said, Lyon has evolved into a sound 1B that nobody should look forward to facing. Get a 1A to play in over half the starts, but also a 1A who can sit the bench when his number isn’t called so Lyon can parlay his successful 2023-24 season into something even more next year. Such a combo will more than benefit a high-scoring Red Wings group.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)