Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen discusses the performance of Ville Husso, who may or may not have won the Wings’ “open competition” for the #1 goaltender’s job over the course of the Red Wings’ preseason:
You can bet Husso feels like he won after posting a 2.28 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in three preseason games. Coming into training camp, Husso hadn’ t played a full NHL game since December. Injuries undermined his season.
“It was a good summer doing stuff and I feel good to go,” Husso said earlier this week. “I’m confident.”
Over the past week, Husson turned in an impressive 43-save performance to post a 2-1 road win at Pittsburgh aond made 31 stops Saturday in a 3-2 loss at Toronto.
Cam Talbot, signed this summer as an unrestricted free agent, had a better GAA (2.05). However, his .911 save percentage couldn’t match Husso’s work. Alex Lyon, meanwhile, boasted a 2.57 and .903. All three Detroit goalies showed well in the preaseason. Presumably, coaches will also be factor who each faced and how they looked in practice in determining their status. The season starts on Thursday.
The Red Wings are talking as if they are definitely keeping three goalies, as they did last season. Regardless of who is designated as the early starter, it seems likely Lalonde will go with the hot goalie as the season progresses. That’s what happened last season.
Continued; as Allen notes, the Red Wings also need to find a mentor for Sebastian Cossa, who currently has no veteran back-up in Grand Rapids. The Wings may sign a veteran goaltender as a result of Jack Campbell entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
