The Detroit Red Wings have made a move that would have been unthinkable to predict just a few weeks ago, when training camp began. The Wings have placed goaltender Ville Husso on waivers, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, just days after his disappointing season start against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Husso and the Red Wings started the season by conceding four goals on 14 shots before the team chose to yank the goalie, which would be his final appearance for the club. According to Pro Hockey Rumors, the Wings appear to be interested in retaining Husso’s rights and loaning him to their AHL affiliate, though he would need to pass waivers before he could be assigned there.
Ville Husso is on waivers today
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 13, 2024
This move is surprising given Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman’s preseason talks about maintaining a three-goalie rotation. Before the season began, Yzerman was bullish about the team’s depth between the pipes, despite concerns about Husso’s previous injury history, and stated that the team would carry three goalies in a three-man rotation. “Everybody’s healthy today,” Yzerman told The Athletic in September. “If everybody’s healthy, we’ll have to make a decision on carrying three or making a move, but we’ll wait and see how things play out.”
The GM was confident that Husso, together with veteran Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon, would form a strong, competitive goaltender core for the squad. Husso’s troubles in the season opening against Pittsburgh, along with his continued inconsistency and health issues since joining Detroit, may have prompted the Red Wings to act faster than expected.
The Finnish goaltender signed a three-year, $14.25 million contract with the Wings in July 2022, but his poor performance last season (.895 save percentage) and underwhelming debut in 2024-25 have put the Red Wings in a tight position. Husso’s departure frees up significant cost money for the Red Wings, who had spent $8.1 million on their three goaltenders before to Sunday’s report.
