Last season, a three-goalie system proved to be the Detroit Red Wings’ saving grace. In a season in which their starting goaltender spent most of the year injured, the Red Wings received good goaltending from Alex Lyon and James Reimer. Heading into this season, another three-goalie system seems to be the answer yet again.
But the NHL isn’t the only level where there are complex decisions to be made about the team’s goalies. Ahead of training camp, here’s a look at where Detroit’s goaltending stands up and down the organization.
The NHL Level
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Cam Talbot
Talbot’s two-year, $2 million deal with the Red Wings flew in the face of everything Yzerman said heading into free agency. He didn’t want his roster to tie up an extra spot for a goaltender. He believed Ville Husso would be healthy heading into the season. And yet, on July 1, Yzerman grabbed one of the top goalies on the market in Talbot.
At the very least, Talbot brings depth to the goalie room. Between him, Lyon and Husso, the Red Wings have three potential starters in the mix. Detroit coach Derek Lalonde wants to see a “healthy competition” from the group, as he said in early August.
“Speaking with all three goalies, I think Steve did a pretty good job of explaining to them the situation, that it’s going to be a competition,” Lalonde said. “And all three goalies over the last couple years have proven to play at a very high level. They’ve all shown it.
[Read More: What to Expect from Detroit Red Wings’ “Healthy Competition” in Net]
Talbot has perhaps shown the most not only in the past couple years, but also in his entire career. At 37, he continues to defy age by averaging about 41 starts per season for the past four years. Last year in Los Angeles, Talbot started 52 games during an All-Star season that saw him backstop the Kings into the playoffs. If there was a favorite to be the one true starter among the Red Wings’ triumvirate, Talbot’s it.
The questions with Talbot are: Can he continue to succeed behind one of last season’s worst defensive teams? And, can he continue to defy the age curve? If the answers to those questions are yes, Detroit would be making out like bandits having brought him in on such a cheap deal. If no, then it only muddies…