Detroit Red Wings buyout looming this offseason?
The Detroit Red Wings' offseason has been notably unconventional, with fans now eagerly awaiting potential player buyouts. Recently, the team secured a two-year contract extension with Joe Veleno, their restricted free agent, thereby avoiding arbitration and committing $2.275 million annually to the speedy forward.
This move has triggered an additional buyout window for Detroit, under specific conditions: General Manager Steve Yzerman now has a 48-hour opportunity, beginning Tuesday and ending Thursday, to consider buying out a player earning more than $4 million per year.
One player under scrutiny is goaltender Ville Husso, whose inconsistent performance over several seasons has placed him at risk of being bought out, especially after a challenging year marred by injuries.
Husso arrived with promise from the St. Louis Blues, but his tenure with the Red Wings faltered after a promising start, culminating in a tough 2022-23 season. Despite a career-high 26 wins in his first year, his subsequent season saw declining numbers and significant injury setbacks.
At 29, Husso has one year left on his $4.75 million annual contract. A buyout could save Detroit $1.58 million, with a reduced payout of $3.166 million spread over two years. Yzerman's decision will likely depend on the team's need for cap flexibility and roster adjustments, including the addition of Cam Talbot and Jack Campbell to the goaltending mix.
Additionally, forward Andrew Copp remains another candidate for potential buyout consideration, given his underwhelming performance since joining the team two summers ago. Throughout this offseason, the Red Wings have strategically cleared cap space, focusing on roster management amidst ongoing negotiations with key players like Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.
Source: Octopus Thrower - Recent transaction opens a buyout window for the Detroit Red Wings
| POLL | ||
Who would you prefer the Red Wings to buy out? | ||
| Andrew Copp | 22 | 26.2 % |
| Ville Husso | 45 | 53.6 % |
| others | 17 | 20.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
