Issues look fairly totally different for the Detroit Crimson Wings in the case of their goaltending pool after free company and the draft. Ville Husso stays the principle fixture as two new goalkeepers have signed contracts and two others have left the organisation. Because the Crimson Wings search to be extra aggressive with every passing season, every addition to the roster has a goal to serve.
It is no shock that there have been lots of goalie adjustments within the offseason, however among the new signings raised questions. So, what does the upcoming season seem like in the case of the Crimson Wings’ goaltending state of affairs?
New faces on the town
Between the 2023 NHL Draft and free company, 4 new goaltenders have been introduced into the Crimson Wings system. Draft acquisitions will not have an instantaneous affect on the NHL roster, however free agent signings are there to finish the tandem in Detroit.
Draft 2023
Two younger goaltenders had been a part of the Crimson Wings’ roster this 12 months, filling one of many group’s key wants forward of the draft. Trey Augustine of the US Nationwide Crew Improvement Program (USNTDP) was drafted forty first total, then Rudy Guimond (USHS-Prep) was drafted a lot later at 169th total. Though they’re at fairly totally different levels of their improvement journey, they’re each very strong additions to the prospect pool.
Associated: Rimer’s reactions to Crimson Wings 2023 draft class
Newest information and highlights
Augustine, specifically, could be very fascinating and might be the Crimson Wings’ second-best prospect after Sebastian Cossa. It is too early to inform when he’ll make the leap to skilled hockey as he simply began his NCAA profession this season, however his expertise are plain. He had an outstanding season with the USNTDP, the place he had a .928 save proportion (SV%) and a 2.34 goals-against-average (GAA). So I am very curious to see how he does on the faculty degree.
Free pickups and departures from the company
Alex Nedeljkovic and Magnus Hellberg parted methods with the Crimson Wings throughout free company as they weren’t supplied new contracts. None of those departures had been stunning because of the nature of their roles within the group. These two former Crimson Wings will be part of the Pittsburgh Penguins on one-year contracts for the 2023-24 season. Nedeljkovic’s contract has a mean annual worth (AAV) of $1.5 million and Hellberg’s is $875,000.
Nedeljkovic had spent a lot of the season with the American Hockey League (AHL) Grand Rapids Griffins after a rocky begin in Detroit. He was profitable on the AHL degree and appeared in 26 video games with an SV % of 0.912 and a mean of two.71. Nonetheless, he did not make the progress basic supervisor Steve Yzerman and Co. wanted to supply him a brand new NHL contract. Hellberg is a little bit of a unique case, as he has been swinging between groups for a while however has but to discover a long-term position to fill.
The 2023 class of free company wasn’t essentially spectacular, particularly within the goaltending realm the place the one standout candidate was Connor Hellebuyck. Though they had been impossibly skinny picks, Yzerman and the entrance workplace signed two new goaltenders on the primary day of free company. The primary signing was former San Jose Shark James Reimer on a one-year take care of a $1.5 million AAV. It wasn’t essentially an thrilling acquisition within the eyes of many, because the 35-year-old comes off a shedding season with an .890 save proportion, in addition to controversial statements relating to his attendance at Satisfaction events.
Alex Lyon signed a two-year contract with a $1.8 million AAV. Lyon most lately performed with the Florida Panthers throughout a 2023 Stanley Cup Playoff streak, the place he posted an .888 SV% and three.63 GAA. Within the common season, he performed 15 video games with the Panthers and his numbers had been glorious. He had a 0.914 SV%, 2.89 GAA and a 9-4-2 file over that 15-game span. Beforehand, he performed with the Philadelphia Flyers for 4 partial seasons and the Carolina Hurricanes for an additional.
The state of the fold
Ville Husso was acquired by the Crimson Wings within the early levels of free company final season and has been the first goalie ever since. Personally, I had thought that he would full a 1A/1B tandem with Nedeljkovic, however that was not the case ultimately. He was the dominant presence within the internet, as he performed 56 video games within the 2022-23 season, ending with a 0.896 SV% and a 2.93 GAA. I used to be pleased with how his season went, particularly contemplating he was enjoying the longest season of his NHL profession behind a considerably struggling protection.
Associated: Crimson Wings 2023 Signings: In Their Phrases & Others
With Reimer and Lyon becoming a member of the crew, it’s hoped that some weight shall be lifted from Husso’s shoulders, and his workload shall be diminished. Though neither goalkeeper is ideal, I hope there shall be two dependable gamers to fill in on nights when Husso wants a relaxation or to step in when he has a draw. To me, these two signings are designed to be a short-term answer to the Crimson Wings goaltending drawback. Plus, they’re going to function a bridge to the subsequent large goaltender Detroit brings in, whether or not that is a rising prospect or a big-name signing sooner or later.
I count on Reimer to be the second line goaltender in Detroit, and Lyon shall be with the Griffins to begin the season. On condition that Reimer has extra NHL expertise (14 seasons), it is smart for him to get the spot on Lyon’s roster. I really feel like Lyon have the potential to return in and be a strong second-string keeper sooner or later, and since he was given a two-year contract, I’ve to imagine the entrance workplace shares that opinion. For now, he’ll most likely be the emergency name guard in case one thing occurs to Husso or Reimer.
Finally, I do not assume both of those signings will drastically change the best way issues look within the Crimson Wings crease. Each goaltenders are of their thirties and never what you’ll name NHL-caliber goaltenders at this level of their careers. Husso will doubtless nonetheless be capable of take a break right here and there extra ceaselessly than final season on account of these new additions offering some cushioning. With the protection bolstered within the offseason and the addition of Reimer and Lyon, it is going to be fascinating to see how the Crimson Wings fare this season.
