As Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen notes, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman stated that he’s considering adding a third NHL goaltender to the team’s mix of players…
“It is something we will consider,” Yzerman said. “John’s cap hit ($6.4 million) is bigger than Petr Mrazek’s ($4.75 million). So that changes our cap a little bit.”
The advantage of three goalies is the third goalie serves as an insurance policy against injury. Plus, a coach has another option if one of goalies endures a slump. The negative of carrying three goalies is that there are only two nets in practice. That means one goalie is standing around.
Also, even in a three goalie system, there’s usually a top two. It’s challenging for the third man to stay sharp.
It seemed to be advantageous to the Red Wings last season with Cam Talbot, Alex Lyon and Ville Husso.
“Determining whether we carry a third — or can carry a third for that matter, will be determined by what, if anything we do over the course of the offseason,” Yzerman said.
Continued; as Allen notes, Yzerman said that he’s going to circle back and speak with Alex Lyon’s agent before the beginning of free agency on Tuesday at 12 PM.
Update: Here’s more from MLive’s Ansar Khan:
Yzerman didn’t rule out the possibility of re-signing Alex Lyon, 32, who started each of the past two seasons as the No. 3 goalie and ended up playing a combined 74 games, more than any other Red Wings netminder.
“I’ve been trading calls all week with his agent,” Yzerman said. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to him today or yesterday. My plan is to circle back with them. We had earlier in the offseason expressed an interest in him coming back and potentially to be part of a three-goalie system. I don’t know what they’ll say. But out of respect and out of interest, I will be planning on speaking with them again.”
Sebastian Cossa, the 15th pick in the 2021 draft, needs another year with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he’ll pair with recently signed Michal Postava, who led Kometa Brno to the Czech Extraliga championship.
“I think Sebastian needs more time in the American League and we’re counting on him to play well,” Yzerman said. “Michael played extremely well in the Czech League, and we’ll see how he adapts over here his first time over.”
