The Hockey News’s Connor Eargood suggests that the Red Wings’ potentially continuing their three-goaltender rotation might harm the progression of Detroit’s prospect pool.
Assuming they get defenseman Moritz Seider and forwards Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren under contract, the Red Wings are set to start their offseason with all 23 roster spots claimed by returners, free agent adds, or prospects who are now waiver eligible. Right now, defensemen Albert Johansson and Justin Holl are projected to fill the two healthy scratch spots available to skaters, and if it isn’t them then some defenseman they displace will be in those shoes. When it comes to forward, whether a rookie or an established vet, there just isn’t a roster spot to bring them on right now with Lyon, Husso and Talbot all on the NHL roster.
This presents a challenge for both the short – and long-term futures. With roster space so tight, rookies such as forwards Marco Kasper, Carter Mazur and Nate Danielson will find it exceedingly difficult to make the roster. Unless something gives in net — a trade, a waiver assignment or even LTIR — then they’re going to have to play so well that they force Detroit to move someone. That’s a far different task compared to simply making it onto the roster. It’s also one that gives Yzerman all the incentive to let those three overripen in the AHL, no matter the impact that has on their NHL timelines.
This complicated nature was entirely avoidable had Detroit gone with two goaltenders, but it felt that solid goaltending through three contributors gave it a better chance of winning games next season. Goaltending is one of the key areas Yzerman feels can dictate whether this Red Wings team can be a playoff chaser like last season, alongside some players exceeding their current expectations.
Continued; I’m just not worried about the three-goaltender situation, mostly because I don’t believe that it’s important to carry a young player on the 23-man roster unless that player can crack the 18 skaters playing on a given night.
To me, given that Ville Husso may or may not be ready to go (as Eargood notes), that Lyon was shaky down the stretch and that Talbot is a known but somewhat unknown entity behind the Red Wings’ defense, sometimes you’ve got to hedge your bets…
And as long as the Wings sort out their three-goaltender system on the ice, I want to see the Wings’ top prospects playing, wherever that might be, and not sitting, regardless of where that might be.
