So Red Wings goaltender Jack Campbell has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The Red Wings anticipated that the 32-year-old Port Huron native would back up and/or push Sebastian Cossa in Grand Rapids, and now the Red Wings have some decisions to make.
The Athletic’s Max Bultman and Ambika Sharma discussed the Wings’ decision-making process:
Campbell was expected to be with AHL Grand Rapids this season, likely as the backup and mentor to top prospect Sebastian Cossa. Certainly, his NHL experience was also valuable to the organization if injuries necessitated a call-up.
Now, though, Detroit will have some tough decisions to make on how to address the void in Grand Rapids. The Red Wings kept three goalies on the NHL team last season and have looked prepared to do so again, with Ville Husso, Alex Lyon and Cam Talbot all in the fold. But with Campbell now out indefinitely, Detroit will have to decide whether to stick with that trio, and promote one of Carter Gylander, Jan Bednar or Gage Alexander as Cossa’s backup, or waive one of its NHL goalies.
Husso would be the likeliest of the three to clear waivers and make it to Grand Rapids, because of his $4.75 million cap hit, but that’s also a big salary to not be on the NHL roster. — Max Bultman, Red Wings beat writer
As far as I’m concerned, the Red Wings will stick with their 3-goaltender rotation for the first 10-15 games, then probably make a decision as to whether to trade or waive a netminder, presuming that they remain healthy. I would imagine that the season will start with Gylander and Cossa in Grand Rapids and Bednar and Alexander in Toledo.
It is possible, however, that the Wings might sign a veteran goaltender to a pro try-out in order to help Cossa with some NHL veteran presence.
