Backup Goalie situation for next year

[babygorilla 1]

I like Howard, and think he has the right mindset needed to be a solid goalie for the Wings. Or should the Wings give him one more year in Grand Rapids, and snag a Conklin, or Kolzig, etc., in the UFA market?

[Shaman 713]

Well i say give him this year, if he cant step up as a back up, move him sign Ryan Miller, and use Ozzy as a back up till one of our other 2 goalies are ready.

[norrisnick 1]

Jimmy is the backup. If we don't figure out what we have now, we'll be in quite a bind next summer when Howard is out of AHL options and we still don't what he's capable of at the NHL level.

[#19=Legend 29]

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=51891

[Casey 145]

Well i say give him this year, if he cant step up as a back up, move him sign Ryan Miller, and use Ozzy as a back up till one of our other 2 goalies are ready.

You'd seriously use a goalie with 2 Jennings and 2 Cups as your backup to an unproven prospect or a trade? What in the name of God does Ozzie need to do for some respect?

[VM1138 1,921]

You'd seriously use a goalie with 2 Jennings and 2 Cups as your backup to an unproven prospect or a trade? What in the name of God does Ozzie need to do for some respect?

I think he meant back up to Miller, which is just as frustrating. Ozzie may never get the respect he deserves.

[digitaljohn88 4]

I think he meant back up to Miller, which is just as frustrating. Ozzie may never get the respect he deserves.

LOL yeah, we've got roughly the same team as we did last year, when Osgood was an all-star. What did Ozzy do with that team in the playoffs? Only win the cup. He's playing the best hockey of his career.

Yeah, we definitely need to spend money on a free agent goaltender. Good move.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I'm guessing Howard is the backup and if the Wings need to make a necessary acquisition after training camp (he'd have to really disappoint) or mid-season, then they'll do so. There are almost always options in net throughout the year if all youre looking for is a vet backup with a so-so reputation.

[imisssergei 0]

You have to give Howard the chance to be with the Wings on an everyday basis. He has earned it, and the Wings need to see what he is capable of.

[imisssergei 0]

You'd seriously use a goalie with 2 Jennings and 2 Cups as your backup to an unproven prospect or a trade? What in the name of God does Ozzie need to do for some respect?

How is Ryan Miller an unproven prospect? And why would the Wings need to trade for him? I think you missed the posters point.

Ryan Miller would be a UFA in this situation. You go out and sign Miller, and use Ozzie as your backup until one of the other two goaltending prospects is ready to take over for Ozzie as a backup.

Not a bad idea, but Miller is going to get paid in a big way. I'm not too sure the Wings will be in position to pay what it will take to get Miller.

[Fatsyuk 1]

I thought we signed a prospect, larsson or whatever, suppose to be amazing. I was reading that he's suppose to battle for back up position next season. Anyone have any info on this.

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

bah! why give howard a chance? let's just let him rot in the minors until he's as old and washed up as cujo- then he'll be ready! who needs youth!?

[joshy207 156]

Either way, it might be a good idea to sign a veteran goalie for this year. Let him and Howard battle it out in camp. If Howard makes Detroit, then you have an experienced guy to work with Larsson in GR. If Howard's not ready (consistent enough), he goes to GR as their #1 and gets called up to play a few games in Detroit, and you're not riding a rookie if Osgood gets hurt or slumps.

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

I thought we signed a prospect, larsson or whatever, suppose to be amazing. I was reading that he's suppose to battle for back up position next season. Anyone have any info on this.

I heard this as well. Larsson is suppose to be a goalie that can win the game all by himself, the only downfall i have heard about him is that he has to get used to playing on a North american rink rather than a European rink they use in Sweden. I dunno if this signing was to light a fire under Howards ass or if he is really suppose to battle howard for the spot. Regardless, you can use anyone you want to back up ozzie, truth remains Ozzie will be our starter and hes going to be awesome. I'd like to see Miller here after next year, but unless hes going to take a paycut to play here, i dunno if thats going to happen especially since that will be Z's UFA year if we dont get him signed to an extension soon. I hear Larsson is going to be great, but for some reason im a little "sweded" out right now and really would love to see a North American boy be out goalie of the future. I like Howard, and i hope that our draft pick this year that Thomas Mcollum or what not can really do something for us to (although that will be a long time from now) and i would really love to see Miller here since hes not only an American but also a Michigan boy. But beggers cant be chosers so as long as one of these guys steps up and backs up Ozzie and shows us he is ready for a starting role when Ozzie retires or signs up as a backup i am fine either way...

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

Either way, it might be a good idea to sign a veteran goalie for this year. Let him and Howard battle it out in camp. If Howard makes Detroit, then you have an experienced guy to work with Larsson in GR. If Howard's not ready (consistent enough), he goes to GR as their #1 and gets called up to play a few games in Detroit, and you're not riding a rookie if Osgood gets hurt or slumps.

I dont think there is a chance that howard stays in GR this year. If he doesnt get the backup spot than i think that our staff will trade him away or wait for the year to finish out and let him go since he will be an UFA. Frankly if he needs one more year in the minors to get better, well truth be told, he may never be ready to play. If he expects to have a career here in Detroit he needs to show the wings he can play and to do that he NEEDS to win the backup spot in training camp. With that said, i think a signing of a Vetran goalie as backup would be a waste. We have a Vet in Ozzie, we need a young guy that Ozzie can teach about the pressures of being a goalie on a team like the wings. Dom and Vernon did it for Oz and look what its done for his Career. We dont need a Vetran backup to backup our Vetran Starter. We need a Vetran to teach and work with a younger guy, whether that guy is Howard, Larsson, Mcollum or Miller.

[DYags 0]

For fook sake, let the kid play! I'm so sick of debating this it's not even funny... agh!

[redwinger4747 6]

How is Ryan Miller an unproven prospect? And why would the Wings need to trade for him? I think you missed the posters point.

Ryan Miller would be a UFA in this situation. You go out and sign Miller, and use Ozzie as your backup until one of the other two goaltending prospects is ready to take over for Ozzie as a backup.

Not a bad idea, but Miller is going to get paid in a big way. I'm not too sure the Wings will be in position to pay what it will take to get Miller.

Why are you suddenly talking lke Ozzie is halfway to his grave? DUDE, he just won the CUP! He is not a backup. Ozzie is the starter until he plays himself out of that role, period.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

How is Ryan Miller an unproven prospect? And why would the Wings need to trade for him? I think you missed the posters point.

Ryan Miller would be a UFA in this situation. You go out and sign Miller, and use Ozzie as your backup until one of the other two goaltending prospects is ready to take over for Ozzie as a backup.

Not a bad idea, but Miller is going to get paid in a big way. I'm not too sure the Wings will be in position to pay what it will take to get Miller.

He'd take a paycut to come to Detroit. He said in his career before he was an NHL regular that it was his dream to play for the Red Wings.

EDIT: I'm not saying that he should come here, just likely that he'll hit the UFA market as the Sabres are one of the cheapest organizations in the NHL and hesitate to throw any money at a UFA ready player.

Edited June 24, 2008 by YoungGuns1340

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

He'd take a paycut to come to Detroit. He said in his career before he was an NHL regular that it was his dream to play for the Red Wings.

EDIT: I'm not saying that he should come here, just likely that he'll hit the UFA market as the Sabres are one of the cheapest organizations in the NHL and hesitate to throw any money at a UFA ready player.

Do you have a link or something that says that playing in detroit was millers dream? Im not debating you i just would love to read it. Im sure thats the dream for any goalie who grew up in Detroit, or any hockey player in general who was born and raised here, and if thats true, than his chacnes of being a red wing in the next couple years might be a big possibility if howard loses his backup role or shows the wings nation that he is a bust. Regardless the Kid has to play this year as a backup or hes finished as a Red wing.

[Shaman 713]

Its not that i hate ozzy or want him gone, its just the wings are changing the situation Ozzy is in, hes a great Goalie, but, I dont see him play 50 or 60 games plus another 20 or so in the playoffs, and staying as sharp as he was this year, I honestly think him playing 40 games is why he was so fresh through the whole playoffs.

[joshy207 156]

I dont think there is a chance that howard stays in GR this year. If he doesnt get the backup spot than i think that our staff will trade him away or wait for the year to finish out and let him go since he will be an UFA. Frankly if he needs one more year in the minors to get better, well truth be told, he may never be ready to play. If he expects to have a career here in Detroit he needs to show the wings he can play and to do that he NEEDS to win the backup spot in training camp. With that said, i think a signing of a Vetran goalie as backup would be a waste. We have a Vet in Ozzie, we need a young guy that Ozzie can teach about the pressures of being a goalie on a team like the wings. Dom and Vernon did it for Oz and look what its done for his Career. We dont need a Vetran backup to backup our Vetran Starter. We need a Vetran to teach and work with a younger guy, whether that guy is Howard, Larsson, Mcollum or Miller.

Wings: Goalie Howard not ready for NHL

If Howard doesn't win the backup job, goes to GR and continues to improve his play and conditioning--"becoming a pro" that Holland talks about--there's no way they give up on him after this year. Of course, the hope is that he does, and can capably play 30 or so games this year.

Signing a veteran guy would serve one of two purposes: 1, if in Grand Rapids, play at least half the games while Larsson adjusts to North American rinks and lifestyle, and be able to play in Detroit if called upon. 2, if in Detroit, spell Osgood as needed and still back up if/when Howard is called up. Let's say Howard isn't quite ready... Larsson won't be either. What other "young guy" would you want? Emery? No way, he's a headcase. Anyone else will either be too expensive, would have to be traded for, or is not good enough. A veteran who will sign for cheap, with the good possibility of going to GR, is the way to go. Think Dwayne Roloson with St. Louis/Worcester in 2000-01, or Jon Casey with St. Louis in 1995-96.

While I'm not understating the effect that Vernon and Hasek may have had on Osgood, the credit for him being the goalie he is today goes fully to Osgood. At the time of the lockout, he was a guy without a job, and the prospects weren't looking good. He rededicated himself to playing in the league, adjusted his style, and caught back on with the Wings. Remember, he only got a one-year deal for cheap, Detroit was kind of taking a chance on him. His work paid off as he's proven over the last several seasons. He's playing his best hockey now.

Edit-- Howard is only 24. That's still young for a goalie, this is not his do-or-die year. Hasek was 29 when he got his first full-time gig in the NHL. Tim Thomas was 31. Dwayne Roloson didn't play more than 50 NHL games in a season until he was 37.

Edited June 24, 2008 by joshy207