New Red Wings goalie Ville Husso 'very happy' to join a 'historic team'

DETROIT -- Ville Husso had a feeling he was going to be traded prior to the start of the 2022-23 NHL season, but he didn't know when and where he would be dealt.

The goalie got his answer while he was vacationing in Florida last Thursday, as his agent called with the news that he had been traded from the St. Louis Blues to the Detroit Red Wings.
"I'm very happy to join the Detroit Red Wings - historic team," Husso said in an introductory Zoom call with the media on Sunday. "Eleven Stanley Cups, so I think it tells a lot."

Last Friday, Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman officially

Additionally, Detroit announced it signed Husso to a three-year contract.
"We certainly like the season Ville had coming in and solidified the tandem with Alex (Nedeljkovic)," Yzerman told the media after Day 2 of the 2022 Draft from the Bell Centre in Montreal. "I think we've got two guys that we can put in the net every night and give us a reasonably good chance to win."

Husso, the Blues' 94th overall pick in 2014, compiled a 25-7-6 record last season with a 2.56 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and two shutouts in 40 regular-season appearances with St. Louis.
New Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde revealed the Finnish netminder was a sought-after piece as this offseason' s NHL goalie carousel continues spinning.
"It feels like Ville is going this way with his development," Lalonde said while motioning his hand upward. "I think we're gonna get him at a really good time."

Husso is excited to join a dressing room where he already has connections from his time with the Blues.
"I know a couple of guys - Oskar Sundqvist, Robby Fabbri and Jake Walman," Husso said. "They said really good things about Detroit and the fans and everything, so I'm looking forward to that."
And despite just 57 games of NHL experience, Husso said he's learned a lot about consistency.
"I think the biggest thing for me, the last couple of years, is hard work," Husso said. "There's no days off. My mindset is I want to get better every day on and off the ice."

After splitting time alongside St. Louis netminder Jordan Binnington last season, Husso welcomes the opportunity to be part of a goaltending tandem in Detroit.
"Me and Binnington were pushing each other every day," Husso said. "That's the one thing I learned from him, and with Alex, I want to do the same thing which is pushing each other every day during practice and in games."
Nedeljkovic finished his debut Red Wings season with a 20-24-9 record, a 3.31 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage while leading all rookie goalies with four shutouts.
"I feel like these days in hockey, it's good to have two good goalies on a team," Husso said. "I haven't met Alex yet, but I'm looking forward to that. I think we'll be a good goalie duo."