This past summer, general manager Steve Yzerman improved the goaltending by trading Reimer for Cam Talbot. Talbot, 37, impressed in his first start as a Red Wing, making 42 saves in a 3-0 shutout against the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Ville Husso performed well enough in the preseason to earn the opening night start, but his time was cut short after allowing four goals on 14 shots in about 25 minutes. In the second game, Talbot took over as the starter, with Lyon on the bench.
The following day, Husso, who has a $4.75 million salary, was placed on waivers. This decision wasn’t solely due to his poor performance in the first game, but it did simplify the roster situation. The Red Wings were already missing veteran defenseman Jeff Petry, which led to Justin Holl being called up. They also lost Christian Fischer to a minor upper-body injury, listed as day-to-day. With three goalies on the active roster and eight defensemen, the Red Wings faced the choice of either using 11 forwards and seven defensemen on Monday night in New York or making a roster move to call up another forward.
While it may come as a surprise to some, this move makes sense. If someone claims Husso (which is unlikely), it would free up a considerable amount of cap space. If he goes unclaimed (which is more likely), it still allows enough room to call up a short-term veteran like Austin Watson. Ideally, it should be Marco Kasper taking the spot permanently, but it seems Yzerman prefers a more cautious approach, which could lead to a temporary solution like Watson, who secured a spot in the preseason after joining on a PTO.
On a positive note, Husso will likely have the chance to play in Grand Rapids as he works to regain his form. If he clears waivers, I wonder if the Red Wings might keep him there for a while to partner with Sebastian Cossa, especially with Jack Campbell entering the NHLPA’s player assistance program.
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