The Detroit Red Wings have recalled defenseman Wyatt Newpower and goaltender Ville Husso. This marks the first recall of Newpower’s career, while Husso is returning from a conditioning stint in the minor leagues.
While Husso sat out on Saturday, he is poised to make his first appearance in the lineup since December 18th, when he suffered a knee injury 17 minutes into Detroit’s eventual 3-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Husso appeared in 18 games before his injury, recording nine wins and a .893 save percentage. It’s a slight step down from the .896 save percentage he posted in 56 games last season – his first with the Red Wings. He may face significant challenges regaining the team’s starting role, with Alex Lyon posting 12 wins and a .923 save percentage in 19 games this year. That includes the 30-save shutout Lyon posted in his last game.
Newpower has appeared in 20 games with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins this season, recording six points, 39 penalty minutes, and a +7. He’s in his third season with Grand Rapids and his fourth professional season. His professional career kicked off with the Cleveland Monsters in the 2020-21 season, after four seasons at the University of Connecticut, where he totaled 114 games and 47 points.
Other notes from around the league:
- Vegas Golden Knights forward Michael Amadio made his return from injury on Saturday, getting activated off injured reserve before the matchup with the Detroit Red Wings. Amadio has appeared in 42 games with Vegas this season, scoring six goals and 17 points. The campaign has brought Amadio’s career totals to 338 games and 102 points.
- The San Jose Sharks have activated defenseman Ty Emberson off of injured reserve, moving counterpart Henry Thrun to IR. Emberson has played in 21 games this season, just a few shy of officially marking it as his rookie season. He has seven points on the year, tied for third among the team’s defenders. Fellow rookie Thrun has yet to pass Emberson’s scoring totals, netting just three points through 23 games of his own this season.
Detroit should recognize their goal tending situation and act accordingly. If they need to reactivate Husso, he should assume the back up role until and if Lyon falters.
NHL is a professional league and those that perform play, those who falter unfortunately have to ride the bench until proven othewise.
His performance in a dozen games prior to his injury was mediocre at best, yet they continued to start him even when Lyon’s limited starts resulted in his better save scenario. THATS on the coaching staff.
I don’t get how Lyon passed through so many teams hands after his performance in the playoffs last year. That seems like the dumbest thing in the NHL to me (maybe aside from the inconsistent suspension situation). Dude played lights out then gets benched and watches everything fall apart. Then there was Hill… oh maybe we’ll sign him, I dunno. Amira Schmid.. same situation. Pick any team, basically the same problem with a few exceptions. It’s just comical. Every team in the NHL has several players who can put the pucks in the net but so few believe their eyes when a goalie finds his game. Then we spend 10% of our energy justifying how John Gibson is still good (of course he is), 5% pondering Fleury (still great) and 1% marveling at Hellebuyck (that should be the 10%!). I didn’t intend to go on so long, but the reason I have is that it seems to me that the absolute most important thing that wins teams a cup is who essentially lucked out in having the best goalie. Everything else is pretty much a wash. Maybe some statistician should advance a weighted save percentage system where saves count for different values based on the score and situation in a game. Might help us finally figure out who is actually “good” or “not” ha
I fear that the return of the 0.893 save percentage Husso means that by some kind of perverted logic, he will be started upon his return, just when the Wings can’t afford to lose a point. Lyon at 0.924 save percentage has kept them in games with lopsided Shots on Net favoring the opponents. Sorry, it is what it is, Husso’s save percentage is 4th among the 4 goalies the Wings have to play.
While they talk about precious points, they are entertaining tossing 2 out the window by starting Husso.
It will be terribly disappointing to risk hard to get points at this stage on their #4 goal tender.
Let Husso play AHL until the season’s standings are in the books. Now’s not the time to take risks on an underperforming goal tender.
Just one old D’s opinion.
“He may face significant challenges regaining the team’s starting role, with Alex Lyon posting 12 wins and a .923 save percentage in 19 games this year. That includes the 30-save shutout Lyon posted in his last game.”
Wings are in a real fight for points right now sitting just below the threshold. How many game points are they willing to gamble on starting a rehabilitated luke warm 0.893 % Husso instead of a hot overperforming 0.924% Lyon?
C’mon guys, play your best when the best is absolutely needed!!