Blues trade goaltender Ville Husso to Red Wings for third-round pick

The Detroit Red Wings traded a third-round pick to acquire goaltender Ville Husso from the St. Louis Blues on Friday and immediately reached a three-year deal with their newest player.

Husso, 27, was set to become a free agent on July 13 after playing out his two-year contract with the Blues. By trading a third-round pick to St. Louis to acquire Husso, the Red Wings gave themselves exclusive negotiating rights with the goaltender for five days ahead of the start of free agency. 

The team needed less than an hour to announce a deal with Husso.

Husso was among the top goaltenders set to hit the market after finishing the 2021-22 season sixth in Vezina Trophy voting. The 2014 fourth-round pick made his NHL debut in January 2021 and started 53 games in two seasons with the Blues. He recorded a 34-13-7 record during his time with the team and allowed an average of 2.74 goals per game.

While Husso's run in the regular season showed signs that he's ready to lead a team, he struggled in the postseason. After shutting out the Minnesota Wild in his playoffs debut, Husso allowed 25 goals in his next six games. 

With Jordan Binnington under contract through the 2026-27 season, the Blues have their goaltender situation under control for several years. Losing Husso was a foregone conclusion, and St. Louis recouped a third-round pick for essentially nothing.