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At roughly the midway point of the 2022-2023 season, it seemed like the Detroit Red Wings had found their solution in between the pipes while they waited on the development of Sebastian Cossa. Costing only a third-round pick, Ville Husso seemed to be a steal for the organization. Though that still appears to be the case, it became evident that the workload became too much to bear down the stretch.
Both Alex Nedelkovic and Magnus Hellberg struggled to answer the bell in relief of Husso with anything but less-than-average play. The need for a backup goaltender became painfully apparent as the losses stacked against them. Could Husso be given the majority of starts once again but play at a higher level if he is the support of a solid netminder that could give him a few extra nights off to rest? With Cossa still at least another year or two away from a full-time job in Detroit, the Red Wings will undoubtedly entertain a few options to help Husso for the 2023-2024 season.
Option one for the Detroit Red Wings: Free Agent Signing
It is no secret that the list of available UFAs this summer is less than exciting. There are, however, a few players that could be signed and play a key role if given the opportunity on the right roster. Semyon Varlamov is one of those players that could ideally play a large part in the Detroit Red Wings season next year if he were to sign with the club.
At 35 years old, Varlamov would not demand a long-term contract, nor should he require a sky-high price tag, unless the scarce UFA pool increases a bidding war for his services. He is a proven veteran playing in the back half of his career and no longer requires being the No. 1 netminder for a team.
Last season in Long Island, he posted a .913 SV%. If he were to share the net with Husso and provide his services for 20-25 games, that could be the recipe for success in keeping the puck out of the net in Detroit.