The New Jersey Devils Feel Like the Eventual Home of Ville Husso

Free Agent frenzy has a special feel to it this summer with so many high-end players potentially swapping teams, among other exciting variables. The coaching carousel is in full swing, the draft is a week away, and the rumor mill has not stopped since the Avalanche hoisted the Stanley Cup. This summer could usher in a new era in which several teams fall, while several others can take big leaps forward, as long as the right moves are made. The New Jersey Devils are poised to make several big-time improvements to their team, all they need to do is act swiftly.

The team has been linked to star free-agent forward Johnny Gaudreau, and there is a slight chance they can trade their second-overall draft pick for one Alex Debrincat, perhaps? Even if not, they will exit the draft with yet another top-prospect to join the likes of Alexander Holtz & Luke Hughes. Aside from acquiring offensive firepower, the Devils absolutely must sort out their goaltending this season. By all available metrics, their goaltending was the worst in the NHL by far:

On the latest 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman suggests that the Devils & Husso make a lot of sense. Not only is there an opportunity for Husso to steal the permanent starting gig from Mackenzie Blackwood, but as Friedman points out, the Devils' current goalie coach worked a couple of seasons with St. Louis' AHL affiliate. Rogalski worked with Husso in San Antonio & could be a key factor in NJ's recruitment efforts regarding Ville Husso. Furthermore, the Devils could seriously use a goaltender like Husso:

Devils' Head Coach Lindy Ruff openly preaches a fast, transition heavy system for his young team. The Devils' quickness up-ice makes these schemes a strong option, but when they fail to capitalize it usually results in a high-danger chance the other direction. This is where Husso comes in. Per TopDownHockey (shown above), Husso excelled on high-danger save percentage, which would be a massive addition for the Devils & enable them to confidently take risks. Furthermore, according to the Athletic's Shayna Goldman, the Devils' goalies cost the team about 11 wins last season. While Husso was among the NHL's best last season:

Between Friedman suggesting Husso's history with Dave Rogalski & the Cinderella/Glass Slipper-esque fit between him & the Devils, it just feels like Ville Husso ends up being a Devil this summer. It just makes sense, and GM Tom Fitzgerald is under the gun to reverse the Devils fortunes. After being the biggest spenders of free-agency last summer, will the Devils break the bank again this summer?

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