While Ville Husso’s performance in goal last night caught a lot of people’s attention, the St. Louis Blues are not expected to keep him on their roster for this year. The 22-year-old netminder made 27 saves Friday against a veteran Washington Capitals team in the Blues’ 4-0 preseason win. It was his second appearance this preseason and he has yet to allow a goal in four periods of action.
While he was always considered to be a top prospect, according to The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford (subscription required), Husso is establishing himself as the team’s top young goaltending prospect. Rutherford writes that Husso has shown maturity and is handling his time up with the Blues with no nervousness or anxiety and has proven to be ready for a chance to soon play with his NHL club.
Husso did well, but had a tough time last season. Having come over from Finland last year, the former fourth-round pick in 2014, was one of three goalies assigned to the Chicago Wolves and struggled to find ice time. He was then demoted to the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL, but didn’t give up, eventually getting promoted back to Chicago and finished the season having played in 22 games. He played well and had a 2.37 GAA and a .920 save percentage.
While the Blues already have 27-year-old Jake Allen in goal for the near and likely long-term future, St. Louis might have to reassess their thoughts about him in goal and if all goes well, Husso might have a chance to snare the backup job next year if the team doesn’t re-sign Carter Hutton.
- With the most recent cuts, the Philadelphia Flyers are almost a complete team, according to Sam Carchidi of Philly.com. The team has just 26 players remaining in camp and plan to keep 23, but that had been the team’s plan all along. “We have four [exhibition] games left, and our big guys have to play,” general manager Ron Hextall said after the camp session Saturday in Voorhees. “We’re getting ready for the season now and there are still players in the mix, but you get down as quick as you can and go from there.” One decision the team must make is to choose from three defensemen for the final two spots, including Sam Morin, Robert Hagg and Travis Sanheim, although Hextall said they wouldn’t rule out keeping all three and cutting a veteran.
- Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the St. Louis Blues are happy with the progress of youngster Robby Fabbri, who played in his first exhibition game since tearing ligaments in his knee on Feb. 4. Despite the fact the Blues want to switch him to center this year, he played at the wing position yesterday to keep things simple. While he didn’t score any points, the belief is that he skated well and ready for more challenges, which will still include a possible position change.