Year of the Osgood

[Torless 0]

Problem #1: He could very easily get burned out seeing as that he's played an average of 32 games the past three regular seasons. Your talking about over doubling that workload for a guy that is a year older and played some of his best hockey when he came in *fresh*.

Problem #2: 10-12 games isn't much of a practice sample to determine whether or not Howard is our guy going forward. 25-30 games is pretty indicative.

This has nothing to do with what Oz has "earned" and everything to do with whats good for the Wings.

Note: See my signature.

We're talking about the same thing here, but from different perspectives. I'm coming from the perspective that Osgood is the #1 and should get the chance to carry the workload again for '09. That said Howard's workload will come with experience and with the games he is given. 25-30 games is indicative, for sure - but that's a huge portion of the season... usually the mentality is #1 goalie plays until he needs a break or gets injured. 20 max - I think we'll see right away if Howard will be the future #1.

It's all for the good of the team - right now Osgood is playing better than he has ever played and Howard still has some struggles in the AHL. He'll get his shot.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

We're talking about the same thing here, but from different perspectives. I'm coming from the perspective that Osgood is the #1 and should get the chance to carry the workload again for '09. That said Howard's workload will come with experience and with the games he is given. 25-30 games is indicative, for sure - but that's a huge portion of the season... usually the mentality is #1 goalie plays until he needs a break or gets injured. 20 max - I think we'll see right away if Howard will be the future #1.

It's all for the good of the team - right now Osgood is playing better than he has ever played and Howard still has some struggles in the AHL. He'll get his shot.

That's not necessarily true. For some teams it is, but not this current Wings team with the situation they'll have next year.

TBH, I don't really think we're talking about the same thing but from different perspectives. I don't feel Oz playing as many games as you're suggesting is good for him or the Wings for their run next year, nor do I think it will help in regards to getting a read on Howard. The point is, I don't feel a goalie that has averaged 32 games a year the past 3 seasons should be asked to play 70 games before the playoffs even get here. He's not a kid anymore, and all I (and I'm sure Oz) care about is winning the Cup again next year. I feel playing him as much as you suggest will hinder the chances of that happening.

As I said, Oz gets 50-55 games while Howard gets 27-32. If we really want to split hairs, I could handle seeing Oz get close to 60, but I absolutely don't want to see him hit that number. 70 is unthinkable.

[PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0]

At this point in Ozzie's career he is absolutely not a a goalie that is meant to play over 55 games. If he was going to play 70 games, I don't think there would be any question of whether or not to bring Howard in. But 30 games is over a third of the regular season, and a big task. I'm not saying he's not ready, I'm just saying that this is no easy job.

In terms of Ozzie, I think he'll have anothere regular year, solid as a rock without doing anything flashy, possibly an all-star. He's always been a goalie that will be defined by his playoff play, not regular season.

[Torless 0]

The point is, I don't feel a goalie that has averaged 32 games a year the past 3 seasons should be asked to play 70 games before the playoffs even get here. He's not a kid anymore, and all I (and I'm sure Oz) care about is winning the Cup again next year. I feel playing him as much as you suggest will hinder the chances of that happening.

As I said, Oz gets 50-55 games while Howard gets 27-32. If we really want to split hairs, I could handle seeing Oz get close to 60, but I absolutely don't want to see him hit that number. 70 is unthinkable.

I agree that he shouldn't be asked to play 70 games - but I don't think Howard is to the point right now where they can tandem like Hasek and Ozzie did last year. If they play Osgood as the true #1 next season - as I think he deserves - we will be better off. That doesn't mean it will be 70 or even 60 games... but at least give him the chance to work a groove... he's a grown up now and has demonstrated that he works for the team and knows his own limits. Babcock knows these limits too. I just want to see him get his fair share rather than working out a limit or percentage this time around. He might end up playing 50 and that could be the magic number for him - or even less.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I agree that he shouldn't be asked to play 70 games - but I don't think Howard is to the point right now where they can tandem like Hasek and Ozzie did last year. If they play Osgood as the true #1 next season - as I think he deserves - we will be better off. That doesn't mean it will be 70 or even 60 games... but at least give him the chance to work a groove... he's a grown up now and has demonstrated that he works for the team and knows his own limits. Babcock knows these limits too. I just want to see him get his fair share rather than working out a limit or percentage this time around. He might end up playing 50 and that could be the magic number for him - or even less.

Which I what I said from the beginning of this thead. Absolutely Oz should be given the opportunity to start well more than half the games this coming season. Like I said, 50-55. That was the point of this thread, not Howard's readiness.

As for Howard, I feel there is more of an argument for him to play 25-30 games this coming season than for him to play in the ballpark of 10. Simple as that.

Edited June 10, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[Torless 0]

Which I was I said from the beginning of this thead. Absolutely Oz should be given the opportunity to start well more than half the games this coming season. Like I said, 50-55. That was the point of this thread, not Howard's readiness.

As for Howard, I feel there is more of an argument for him to play 25-30 games this coming season than for him to play in the ballpark of 10. Simple as that.

And my point is just this - that no number of games should be carved out for Howard at this point. Oz should get to run with the torch. No back and forth this time. Maybe it'll be 50, maybe it will approach 70. Everyone seems so confident that he couldn't do it and be healthy for the playoffs... and maybe you're right! I for one thing that the team and Ozzie will recognize this before the fact and work things out appropriately. But he could have a streak again - many people agree he's playing his best.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

And my point is just this - that no number of games should be carved out for Howard at this point. Oz should get to run with the torch. No back and forth this time. Maybe it'll be 50, maybe it will approach 70. Everyone seems so confident that he couldn't do it and be healthy for the playoffs... and maybe you're right! I for one thing that the team and Ozzie will recognize this before the fact and work things out appropriately. But he could have a streak again - many people agree he's playing his best.

The same goes for Oz. If this were a year ago I would've agreed in regards to Howard, but this is the year to see what he can do for us when given a decent amount of starts. Its a pretty thin UFA market this year, Howard has been in GR for 3 full years now. It's time to s*** or get off the pot.

If Oz gets hot it'll obviously be hard to bench him, but you still need to be smart enough to do that even if he is playing great. I don't care about giving him the 70 regular season starts "he deserves" if it means he won't be as fresh for the playoffs.

[Torless 0]

The same goes for Oz. If this were a year ago I would've agreed in regards to Howard, but this is the year to see what he can do for us when given a decent amount of starts. Its a pretty thin UFA market this year, Howard has been in GR for 3 full years now. It's time to s*** or get off the pot.

If Oz gets hot it'll obviously be hard to bench him, but you still need to be smart enough to do that even if he is playing great. I don't care about giving him the 70 regular season starts "he deserves" if it means he won't be as fresh for the playoffs.

That's obvious of any team, you have to bench your hot player from time to time to make sure they can stay healthy - and I don't care about giving him a certain number of starts if he won't be fresh either.

I just don't think it's impossible for him to start in 75%+ of the games this season... as long as he's given the chance I know he (and Babcock) will make the right calls.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

That's obvious of any team, you have to bench your hot player from time to time to make sure they can stay healthy - and I don't care about giving him a certain number of starts if he won't be fresh either.

I just don't think it's impossible for him to start in 75%+ of the games this season... as long as he's given the chance I know he (and Babcock) will make the right calls.

While I agree that it isn't impossible for him to start 75% of the games this season and not still be at the top of his game, I simply question the need for it, especially given the fact that its time to see what Howard is going to bring to the table.

Edited June 10, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[VM1138 1,921]

Yeah, Ozzie has been huge this year, but if he wants to finally silence the naysayers he needs to follow this up with an equally strong season.

[Outsider 42]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm a huge Oz fan...

Having said that, he's good for 50-55 Games a Season. Max. He's not exactly ancient, but he's no kid anymore, either. And, lest we forget, he's rather on the "smallish" side, and doesn't really have the physical reserves for 65+ Regular Season Games AND a (hopefully) long Post Season run.

Besides, he gets loopy with too much playing time. He needs to be kept hungry.

If you give HIM the choice, he'll play all 82 Games, even if it kills him.

He needs a reliable back up who can carry the load for a good 30 Games. And for those who think Howard is "ready, for sure".....

That's what everyone's been saying for the past 2-3 Season's, and Kenny's STILL waffling about bringing him up. He's not a baby anymore. He's 24 years old, 5 years removed from his Draft Day, and 3 years deep in the AHL.

Babcock and Holland have consistently said that Howard will HAVE a spot with the Wings when he EARNS a spot with the Wings. They have stated, (Babcock especially), that they want him to be the "best there", (the AHL), before coming "here", (the NHL).

Jimmy's first year in Grand Rapids was his best, but it was hardly the dominating performance Coaching and Management was looking for:

2005 - 2006

GAA - Ranked 9th (2.58)

SVP - Ranked 14th (.910)

Wins - Ranked 5th (27-6-2)

2006 - 2007

GAA - Ranked 23rd (2.70)

SVP - Ranked 15th (.911)

Wins - Ranked 19th (21-21-3)

2007 - 2008

GAA - Ranked 28th (2.83)

SVP - Ranked 30th (.907)

Wins - Ranked 21st (21-28-2)

Even in his Starts with the Wings, he appears to have pretty good numbers, but he doesn't WIN! Even on this Team, the best Team in the NHL.

Has everyone forgotten Osgood's first, (and LAST), call-up from the Minors? God, the kid may not have had the best stats his first year, (at least not that I recall), but he did nothing but WIN! He FOUND a way to win. Sloppy, scrambly, bull-dogging his way to Victory after Victory. Whatever it took to get the "W". Scotty didn't like him, didn't want him up with the big Club, but he couldn't justify sending him down, either!

I think that's what both Holland and Babcock want to see. A performance which states, in no uncertain terms, "I'm here to stay. You're not sending ME back down. I won't give you any choice but to play me."

They haven't seen it.

Edited June 11, 2008 by Outsider

[IceMunkee 15]

Once again, this has *nothing* to do with being a naysayer. I have 100% faith in Osgood, and absolutely believe he'll play at the level he did this past regular and post season all next year. This has to do with whats best for the *Wings* first and then *him* as well. Oz has proved he can come in while not being a workhorse and deliver the goods.

So why should Babs overwork him and possibly burn him out with 70 games next season, especially when Oz proved he could get the job done playing less games in the regular season and at the same time it would be the perfect opportunity to see if Howard will be the guy of the future?

Oh i was saying meant for the original poster. I defintly agree, if you don't have to start a goalie alot, don't. No reason Oz should start 70!