Ville Husso’s Journey with the Anaheim Ducks
Ville Husso’s brief moment on the Anaheim Ducks’ opening night roster took an unexpected detour when he was placed on waivers just a day after the roster was announced. Following his clear through waivers, Husso was assigned to the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, where he resumed his solid performances from the previous season after the Ducks acquired him from the Detroit Red Wings in February.
His stint with Detroit wasn’t memorable, as he struggled to make an impact in the NHL but enjoyed some success in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins before the transfer to Anaheim. During his time with the Gulls, he put up an impressive 7-2-0 record and .907 save percentage, which he carried over into some NHL appearances at the end of the 2024 season, recording a .925 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average across four outings.
Re-signing with Anaheim
This past summer, Husso faced the open market as an unrestricted free agent but opted to re-sign with Anaheim, agreeing to a two-year contract that pays him an annual average of $2.2 million. Sharing his thoughts on the decision, he reflected on enjoying his previous months with the organization, highlighting the supportive environment both in Anaheim and San Diego as key reasons for his commitment to the Ducks.
Current Role and Performance
Currently, Husso finds himself as the Ducks’ starting goaltender due to injuries affecting both Lukáš Dostál and Petr Mrázek. Dostál’s injury occurred during the final week of November, and after being called back up, Husso made his first start of the season on Black Friday, followed by Mrázek sustaining an injury shortly thereafter.
Since his recall, Husso has achieved a 4-2-0 record in six games, including five starts. One notable game saw him stepping in for the injured Mrázek against the Chicago Blackhawks, where he allowed a lone goal from Connor Bedard during a breakaway. However, another loss was a result of a poor outing against the Utah Mammoth, where the Ducks fell 7-0. Despite these setbacks, Husso’s standout moment came during a recent clash with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he made 45 saves. Although the Ducks allowed a late goal due to a minor penalty, they managed to equalize just before the end of regulation, leading to a shootout where Husso successfully denied all three Penguin shooters.
“It’s been so much fun to be around these guys. Every day, it’s like learning something new. Fun group to be a part of and shows that we never give up.”
Backup Goaltender Situation
Vyacheslav Buteyets has been filling in as backup goaltender during this injury crisis. The 2022 sixth-round pick made his NHL debut in the loss to Utah, stepping in for Husso after two periods. Meanwhile, Dostál has rejoined the team for their ongoing road trip and participated in practice, indicating a possible return within a few weeks, which aligns with the timeline provided by head coach Joel Quenneville.
Once he returns, Buteyets will head back to the AHL while Husso will transition to the backup role. The return of Mrázek further complicates the situation, as he has experienced his share of inconsistency but showed promise before injuries struck.
Future Considerations
With a full roster of 23 players, the Ducks may face tough decisions to accommodate all goaltenders once everyone is fit again. General manager Pat Verbeek may have to navigate the delicate balance of roster management, particularly with the fear of losing Husso again through waivers due to his higher salary and contract length. However, as the season continues, Husso remains focused on performing well and preparing for whatever comes next.
“Just got to keep working, keep grinding and be ready whenever,” he stated clearly, underlining his commitment to the Ducks during this pivotal time.
