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St. Louis Blues: Ville Husso Sent To Missouri Mavericks In ECHL

By Todd Panula |
Oct 13, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; An overall view of pre-game ceremonies prior to a game between the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; An overall view of pre-game ceremonies prior to a game between the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

We knew a decision would have to be made regarding Ville Husso with three goaltenders in the AHL. Still, his demotion is a bit surprising.

Ville Husso has been sent to the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL. Given contract situations with the goaltenders the Blues have in their minor league system, this was always the likeliest scenario, but still surprises a little.

Husso saw two games with the Chicago Wolves in the AHL. Despite the team splitting the two games he started, he put up some pretty decent numbers.

Through two games he had a save percentage of .914 and a goals against of 2.53. Those are not stellar numbers, but the team in front of him was not playing very good either.

Chicago lost his first game by a score of 4-2. They then won 2-1 on October 23.

With three goaltenders on the AHL roster, there was always going to be a decision made. It isn’t unheard of, but it would not have been fair to any of them to keep a three man rotation.

Trying to squeeze three goaltenders in would preclude getting on a roll more than splitting time with two. That may seem like it goes without saying, but at least with the two man rotation, you can allow one guy to have four or five games in a row if they are really feeling it.

With three guys in there you would almost be forced to swap every other game. Now, that decision has been made.

Still, it is a bit surprising for some reason. Husso looked solid, seemed to be comfortable with the team and appeared ready for that level.

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If he is the next big thing for the Blues, would you not want him to get as much experience at the highest level possible? There is clearly no rush with the Blues just now handing the reigns to Jake Allen, but there is no reason we can’t at least question the idea.

As said earlier, this was always the likeliest scenario to play out. Pheonix Copley and Jordan Binnington are both on one-year deals, so the Wolves and Blues want to see what they have.

If the contract amounts were reversed, maybe you could make a case to cut ties with Copley. The Blues clearly favor Binnington right now, but with him earning $600,000 and Copley getting a little over $700,000 it made that almost impossible.  Right now, it’s hard to judge any of the three based on the overall poor play by the Wolves until this past weekend.

Husso is going to get his chance. If he is as good as everyone is making him out to be, there won’t be much choice other than giving him a shot in a few years.

Before anyone freaks out about the Blues management, this decision is just as much on the Wolves as anyone.  For now, this does make the most sense. Husso needs games and he’s going to get plenty of them in the ECHL.

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The competition he will face won’t be the highest caliber, but at least he will get more accustomed to the North American style. Coming from the Finnish league, all the adjustment time given is good.

All that said, doesn’t mean there isn’t a little twinge of disappointment he did not stick in the AHL. Hopefully he shuts down the ECHL.  As long as he realizes this is about numbers and not a demotion, he will be fine.

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