Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin examines the “NHL Goalie Musical Chairs” among Eastern Conference teams, and here’s what he has to say about the Red Wings’ crowded crease:
Detroit Red Wings (Stock up)
Cam Talbot (2 x $2.5M)
Ville Husso
Alex Lyon(Out: James Reimer)
A .902 combined SV% between Husso, Lyon and Reimer simply wasn’t good enough in 2023-24, despite the fact Lyon had a couple great months. Husso was supposed to be starter-quality over the course of his three-year contract, but he’s been a $4.75 million annual headache instead. Even though Talbot faltered in the New Year and again in the playoffs for L.A., he was good enough to be in the Vezina Trophy conversation for much of last season and is an upgrade over Reimer. It feels like an open competition in Hockeytown, but the smart money is on Talbot to begin 2024-25 as the starter. If Yzerman was satisfied with Husso and Lyon, he wouldn’t have signed Talbot.
Continued; it is an open competition among the Red Wings’ trio of goaltenders. My money’s also on Talbot emerging despite his age (he’s 37), and Lyon ending up as the back-up. I’m a big Husso fan, but at this point, I wonder whether he’s going to be the odd man out, especially if he cannot regain his form.
