Well, I suppose it's just another bump in the road for veteran netminder Ville Husso, who was placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon.
Ville Husso is on waivers today
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 13, 2024
Husso, 29, has had a rough stretch that stems back to the second half of the 2022-23 season, his first year with the Detroit Red Wings. The Finnish-born goaltender looked the part of a No. 1 option in goal during the first half of his first season with the organization before the wheels started to loosen and eventually fall off down the stretch. Husso was sidelined by injury and fatigue in year one. He made a career-high 56 starts, going 26-22-7 with a 3.11 goals-against average and a mediocre 0.896 save percentage.
When you break it down into three parts, Husso was sensational over his first 20 starts, with Detroit posting an eye-popping 0.918 save percentage, backing the Red Wings to an 11-5-4 record. The second 20-game stretch was a bit different. Detroit went 10-8-1, but Husso's save percentage over that span was 0.890. Over his final 16 starts, Husso went 5-9-2 with a horrible 0.872 save percentage. Husso mentioned that he wasn't mentally prepared to shoulder the workload of a bona fide No. 1 netminder after seeing a ton of success splitting time with Jordan Binnington in St. Louis but vowed to be ready for the task in year two (last season) with the Red Wings.
Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan last year for Husso, who struggled early and often before the injury bug once again reared up and bit again. The veteran goaltender split time with James Reimer over the first half of last season, making 18 starts and 19 total appearances, posting a 9-5-2 record backed by a 3.55 goals-against average and a 0.892 save percentage. I never wish for an injury, but sometimes, things find a way to work themselves out. The injury to Husso last December opened the door for Alex Lyon. Lyon quickly had a positive impact on Detroit and became the main reason for Detroit's mid-season surge. Lyon, 31, made 20 starts in January and February for the Red Wings, posting a 13-5-2 record with an honorable 0.909 save percentage. The stability in goal helped the Red Wings establish themselves in the playoff hunt. We all know how it ended, but it was nice to once again be on the postseason graphic until the final minutes of the regular season. Now, the expectations are increased.
Detroit Red Wings place goaltender Ville Husso on waivers
This past summer, general manager Steve Yzerman upgraded the goaltending situation by swapping Reimer with Cam Talbot. Talbot, 37, dazzled in his first start (second appearance) as a Red Wing in a 3-0, 42 save effort blanking the Nashville Predators at home this past Saturday. Husso performed well enough in the preseason to garner the opening night start that was quickly short-lived after giving up four goals on 14 shots in about 25 minutes of work. In game two, as mentioned, it was Talbot getting the nod with Lyon on the bench.
A day later, Husso and his $4.75 salary is placed on waivers. The move isn't because of his poor performance in the first game of the season, but it certainly helped make the roster decision a bit easier. The Detroit Red Wings are already without veteran defenseman Jeff Petry which prompted the call-up of Justin Holl. Detroit then lost Christian Fischer to a minor upper-body injury, which is considered day-to-day. By having three goaltenders on the active roster and eight defensemen, the Red Wings would either go with 11 forwards and seven defenders on Monday night in New York or make a roster move to call up a forward.
It's a bit of a shock to some, but in reality, it's a pretty obvious move. If someone claims (unlikely) Husso, it frees up a significant amount of cap space, and if no one claims him (likely), it frees up enough space to call up a short-term vet like Austin Watson. We all know it should be Marco Kasper, and it shouldn't be short-term. It should be a permanent move, but it seems Yzerman feels like we can't have nice things at the moment, so it will likely be a greasy player like Watson, who won a job during the preseason after joining the club on a PTO.
On the bright side of things, Husso will (likely) get an opportunity to play in Grand Rapids as he once again looks to right the ship. I wonder if he clears if the Red Wings will leave him down there for an extended period of time to pair with Sebastian Cossa after Jack Campbell entered the NHLPA's player assistance program.