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Detroit signs Czech League standout goalie Machovsky

machovsky

The Red Wings added some depth in goal on Tuesday, signing Matej Machovsky to a one-year, entry-level contract.

Machovsky, 23, has spent the last four seasons backstopping HC Plzen of the Czech Extraliga. He’s been one of the league’s best netminders since debuting and, this year, posted really good numbers (2.25 GAA, .925 save percentage) on a team that wasn’t especially good. Plzen finished ninth in the 14-team circuit, with a minus-3 goal differential.

Prior to playing in the Czech Republic, Machovsky spent three years with OHL Brampton.

Looking ahead, it’ll be interesting to see where Machovsky fits organizationally. Detroit has three goalies currently in the mix -- Jimmy Howard, Petr Mrazek and Jared Coreau -- but one assumes GM Ken Holland will eventually need to figure out a solution for Howard, who earns $5.2 million annually through 2019.

Howard had a pretty good ’16-17 campaign, posting a .927 save percentage over 26 appearances, but it looks like the club will roll with a Mrazek-Coreau tandem moving forward, which makes sense. Combined, they’ll earn just $4.6 million next season.