The Detroit Red Wings made a notable roster move on Sunday, waiving goaltender Ville Husso to create space after forward Christian Fischer sustained an upper-body injury during Saturday’s 3-0 win against the Nashville Predators. This move comes at an interesting time, given that Husso struggled in his first game of the season and is coming off an injury-plagued year.
Husso’s Waiver and Struggles
Ville Husso, who signed a contract worth $4.75 million, had a forgettable start to the season on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing four goals on just 14 shots before being pulled in the second period. Despite strong preseason performances against NHL-caliber teams like Pittsburgh and Toronto, Husso’s rocky start to the regular season led to his waiver.
Although Husso’s potential to be claimed by another team before the Monday noon deadline is unlikely—due to his salary and the fact that teams are not yet facing significant goaltending issues—his recent performance has raised concerns about his role as the team’s starting goalie moving forward.
Waiving Husso for Roster Space
The decision to waive Husso comes as the Red Wings needed a roster spot with Fischer being sidelined but not placed on injured reserve, along with defenseman Jeff Petry also out with an upper-body injury. Petry missed Saturday’s game and will not play in Monday’s matchup against the New York Rangers.
Coach Derek Lalonde noted that the roster move was necessary, and the Red Wings are expected to make a short-term call-up from Grand Rapids to fill the void, possibly veteran forward Austin Watson, who impressed during training camp with his forechecking and physicality.
Red Wings’ Early Challenges
This season is shaping up to be a crucial one for the Red Wings, as they face tough competition early on. Their upcoming two-game series against the New York Rangers, last season’s Presidents’ Trophy winners, will provide a strong litmus test for Detroit’s ability to compete against the league’s top teams.
The Wings are looking to build on their solid defensive performance against Nashville, in which they limited odd-man rushes and high-danger scoring chances. However, the Rangers present a formidable challenge, with star players like Artemi Panarin already off to a fast start.
Goalie Rotation and Talbot’s Workload
With Husso waived, the Red Wings are likely to turn to Alex Lyon for Monday’s game, giving Cam Talbot a rest after his 40-save shutout performance against Nashville. At 37 years old, Talbot has already played a significant role early in the season, including stepping in for Husso in the season opener. Coach Lalonde acknowledged the heavy workload for Talbot and hinted at Lyon making his first start of the season.
A Test of Depth and Resilience
Detroit’s early-season challenges have also tested the depth of their roster. The recent waiving and subsequent recall of defenseman Justin Holl highlighted the team’s need for adaptable players. Holl, who was waived before the season, spent just one practice with Grand Rapids before being recalled due to Petry’s injury. His professionalism and ability to step into the lineup on short notice have been commendable.
As the Red Wings continue their season, maintaining a balanced and healthy roster will be key. With two games against a high-caliber team like the Rangers, Detroit will need strong performances across the board to keep momentum on their side.
Looking Ahead
The Red Wings’ Monday game against the Rangers in Madison Square Garden will be followed by a home game against the same opponent on Thursday. As they navigate injuries and roster moves, the Wings will need to maintain their defensive intensity while finding ways to capitalize offensively against one of the best teams in the league.
Fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds to these early-season challenges and how players like Husso, should he clear waivers, reintegrate into the lineup moving forward.
