Red Wings place Ville Husso on waivers

The Detroit Red Wings have placed a goalie Ville Husso on waivers for the purpose of a loan to the AHL, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Husso is in the final year of a three-year, $14.25 million contract signed with Detroit in the summer of 2022. His cap hit of $4.75 million is the eighth highest in Detroit.

Detroit’s plan to sign three goaltenders has been clear since the signing Cam Talbot on July 1, a two-year, $5 million contract. Talbot entered a room where there was already a lot of competition Alex Lyons and Husso. Lyon was the underdog at the start and the only Wings goalkeeper who had not yet started a game. Husso wasn’t particularly convincing in the matchup he was given, as he allowed four goals on 14 shots and was sent off for Talbot. That poor performance appears to be the catalyst for his retirement today, although Husso’s .940 save percentage in three preseason games suggests some upside potential.

The Red Wings will now move forward with Cam Talbot as the clear starter, rewarding his 54 saves on 56 shots (.964) in two games so far. Lyon will emerge as the team’s backup just a few months before the win over Husso and posted 21 wins and a .904 batting average in 44 games last season. Meanwhile, Husso’s path to ice time doesn’t become any clearer as he moves up to the minor leagues, with Grand Rapids currently led by top prospects Sebastian Cossa. Cossa managed a win and 64 saves on 68 shots (.941) in Grand Rapids’ first two games of the season this weekend and has posted a .913 save percentage in each of the last three seasons. Even facing Husso, who makes nearly $5 million, it would be hard to award another Griffins goaltender a start – which only adds to the excitement in Detroit’s crowded goalie room.