Recent transaction opens a buyout window for the Detroit Red Wings

In what has been a very peculiar offseason, Detroit Red Wings fans are officially on buyout watch. Recently, the Red Wings agreed to a two-year contract extension, avoiding arbitration with restricted free agent Joe Veleno. The deal will be a significant raise for the speedy forward, earning $2.275 annually.

With the Red Wings avoiding arbitration, Detroit has unlocked an additional buyout window, but that comes with specific criteria. General manager Steve Yzerman now has a 48-hour window that began on Tuesday and will conclude on Thursday to buy out a player who averages more than $4 million annually.

There are a couple of players that come to mind, but one specifically should be on high alert. Goaltender Ville Husso seems like a prime candidate to be bought out by Detroit following a couple of mediocre seasons. Last season, in particular, was one Husso and the Red Wings would love to forget. The veteran netminder struggled mightily when healthy, and then an abundance of injuries derailed the entire second half of his season.

The Detroit Red Wings opened an extra buyout window

When the Red Wings added Husso via trade with the St. Louis Blues, it felt like the organization had found a true No. 1 netminder since Jimmy Howard retired. Unfortunately, the optimism quickly ended during a rough stretch to finish the 2022-23 season. That first year, like the last, ended in injury but also fatigue. Husso went 26-22-7 in year one with Detroit. It was a career-high in starts that led to a 3.11 goals against average and a .896 save percentage. This past season, Husso made just 19 appearances and 18 starts, going 9-5-2 with a .892 save percentage and an elevated 3.55 goals against average.

Husso, 29, has one year left on his current deal, which averages $4.75 million annually. If the Red Wings elect to buy out the veteran netminder, it would save Detroit $1.58 million. Instead of owing Husso $4.75 this season, the Red Wings would be on the hook for $3.166 million to be paid out over the next two years. It really comes down to whether Yzerman feels he needs that extra cap flexibility or the roster spot this season. As of now, it appears as though Detroit will carry three netminders yet again like they did last season, with Alex Lyon having one year left on his current deal and the free-agent addition of veteran Cam Talbot replacing James Reimer. After signing a two-year deal this summer, Talbot will likely begin the year as Detroit's top option. The Red Wings also added some insurance in Grand Rapids by signing former Windsor Spitfire Jack Campbell to a one-year deal. Campbell brings NHL experience and is someone who can support and continue mentoring top prospect Sebastian Cossa.

The Red Wings cleared a bunch of cap space earlier this summer when they traded Jake Walman to the San Jose Sharks to free up $3.4 million. Yzerman also sent Robby Fabbri to the Anaheim Ducks to clear an additional $4 million. The Red Wings let vets David Perron, Daniel Sprong, and Shayne Gostisbehere walk in free agency, replacing them with Vladimir Tarasenko, Erik Gustafsson, and Tyler Motte. Yzerman also used some of the freed-up funds to extend Patrick Kane to a one-year deal. Also, the Red Wings still need to extend restricted free agents Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

If not Husso, Andrew Copp is the other option to buy out. Copp has three years remaining on his current deal, which averages $5.625 million per season. The veteran forward has been a disappointment since joining the Red Wings in free agency two summers ago. Copp scored 13 goals and 33 points last season over 79 games. The year prior, Copp managed just nine goals in 82 games. It seems unlikely Yzerman will buy one of Detroit's alternate captains, and this one would come with a lot more financial burden. At age 30, Copp's buyout will be 2/3 of the remaining salary due ($16,375,000). This will result in a total buyout of $10,916,667 with a base salary of $1,819,445 over each of the next six years for a total savings of $5.48 million over that span—just some food for thought.