The Ducks have found their No. 3 goaltender. After acquiring Petr Mrázek on Saturday from the Detroit Red Wings in the John Gibson trade, they have inked Ville Husso to a two-year contract extension. Per TSN and The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, Husso’s AAV will be $2.2 million.
Husso spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL after being placed on waivers by the Red Wings at the beginning of the season. He was acquired by the Ducks on Feb. 24 for future considerations after Calle Clang’s MCL injury in the AHL necessitated a move for goaltending depth with Tomáš Suchánek already out for the year with a torn ACL.
Lower-body injuries suffered by Gibson in March and April saw Husso recalled to the NHL, where he performed admirably in his limited appearances behind Lukáš Dostál.
With Mrázek’s contract up after the end of the 2025-26 season, handing Husso a two-year deal appears to be an insurance policy. There isn’t a tailor-made backup option in the AHL right now for Anaheim. Clang struggled to hold the starting job for San Diego, Suchánek is still recovering from injury and Buteyets is far from ready. Oscar Dansk is a pending UFA and not NHL quality.
“I think the (goalie) pipeline is in good shape,” general manager Pat Verbeek said on Saturday while addressing the Gibson trade. “It's just a matter now of finding a good third goaltender for us, and, ultimately, if we're able to do that, sign that. If we have any injuries up top, it allows to be able to call that third goaltender up to support (Dostál or Mrázek). It also allows San Diego to have a good goaltender to carry a lot of the load and allow our younger guys to keep maturing.”
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Featured image caption: Apr 16, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Alex Iafallo (9) takes a shot on Anaheim Ducks goalie Ville Husso (33) during the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images