Steve Yzerman reveals offseason goaltending plans

For fans of the Detroit Red Wings who had visions of potentially acquiring a goaltender like Linus Ullmark or John Gibson as part of the offseason of 2024, you may have to temper those expectations.

According to general manager Steve Yzerman, it doesn't sound as though the team has any plan to bring aboard a goaltender who can serve as a placeholder for a season or two while highly touted prospects Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine continue their development.

“We will look at the goalie market and if something makes sense for us to do that we think improves us, whether that be via trade or free agency, we’re not opposed to doing that,” Yzerman stated. “I know we have two (goalies), but I think we, I do know we need to every year try to see if we can improve our team.

“But having said that, I don’t anticipate using prime assets, whatever you would consider those to be, to really go out and acquire an older goaltender that might not be here in two, three, four years from now.”

In fact, Yzerman even hinted at potential extensions for both Ville Husso and Alex Lyon, while pending free-agent James Reimer isn't likely to return for next season.

“Both Alex and Ville, with one year to go on their contracts, we certainly have the option of extending them,” Yzerman said.

Alex Lyon played in a career-high 44 games this past season. He was an unsung hero at many points, stepping in for the injured Ville Husso and almost certainly would have been Detroit's starter had they qualified for the playoffs. However, it was clear that the increased workload affected him at times during the campaign.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Husso didn't exactly impress when he was healthy, racking up a 3.55 goals against average and .892 save percentage in the 18 games he started. He was hurt in December during a game at Little Caesars Arena against the Anaheim Ducks, and missed the next several weeks of action.

He returned for the first time in February against the Edmonton Oilers, but didn't even last half of the opening period before suffering yet another (unrelated) lower-body injury, putting him right back on the shelf; he also was hurt during warmups while preparing for a rehabilitation start weeks later with the AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins.

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