Osgood is the worst starting goalie in the league

[Phazon 24]

And yesterday he got scored from center ice. This guy deserves some fair criticism. It's not the defense all the time, he has been bad and he hasnt stolen a single game. Not even close.

[Reilly 24]

Statistically speaking, he's not. Marty Turco has a worse GAA and SV%.

[rage 24]

Statistically speaking, he's not. Marty Turco has a worse GAA and SV%.

Well there is always Marty Turco.

Too much hating, too early.

[sixer 37]

This guy deserves some fair criticism. It's not the defense all the time, he has been bad and he hasnt stolen a single game. Not even close.

Agreed. That said, he's not going anywhere given our cap situation and there is no way we'd get a better goalie for his value. Luckily Conklin is great and we have Jimmy to back him up as well if anything were to happen with Ozzie.

If this continues I guarantee Conklin would start in playoffs.

[jenova0 0]

I said from from the first week of the reg. season that Conklin will finish this year as the starting goalie for the Wings. Conklin has looked much better than Osgood all season long.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

And yesterday he got scored from center ice. This guy deserves some fair criticism. It's not the defense all the time, he has been bad and he hasnt stolen a single game. Not even close.

Worst starting goalie in the league is a bit of a stretch.

He's been bad some, so has the defense as well. A little bit of Column A, a little bit of Column B.

Of the center ice gaffe, every goalie lets in a brainfart soft goalie from time to time no matter how good or bad the goalie might be. This will have little/nothing to do with the ZOMG OZZIE LET IN CENTER ICE GOALS back in 1998.

While nobody can predict the future and say that Osgood will completely come back to form of last playoffs or whether he'll completely fall in the crapper, if he was the worst starting goalie in the league he would've been out of the NHL a long time ago.

[tubaguy 0]

I said from from the first week of the reg. season that Conklin will finish this year as the starting goalie for the Wings. Conklin has looked much better than Osgood all season long.

While Conklin has looked better than Osgood, he hasn't looked at that great, baring a few exceptions. He may need a bit more time in net, but he consistently overplays situations which can create an unnecessary rebound or put him out of position. He has been a journeyman backup/poor-man's starter for a reason. He can handle the regular season but isn't exceptionally great in the playoffs or meaningful regular season games (if there are any).

Osgood will be your playoff starter or will take a majority of playoff starts. That I guarantee, baring any injuries.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

This guy deserves some fair criticism. It's not the defense all the time, he has been bad and he hasnt stolen a single game. Not even close.

I agree i love osgood but it's time to talk the truth, his a fan favorite that's why his not being attacked that much. Some people got to open their eyes and realise conklin is playing much better as of now. Don't look at the habs game he got scored on 3 goals..., one of those goals hit stuart's leg no chance to save... anyways osgood has lost his touch since winning the cup.

* People must realize that just cause it's their favorite player that his not always the best player ...

Edited November 29, 2008 by KrazyGangsta

[Guest Shoreline]

The problem with the Ozzie "statistics" are those statistics don't factor in the Wings defense has looked like s*** thusfar, hung Ozzie out to dry numerous times, and Ozzie has made plenty of clutch saves, in essence, saving the team's ass when they let the opponents in on a break or on a 2 on 1, which I'm already sick and tired of watching happen. To a degree I think Ozzie can do better, and if Conklin is doing a better job, he should get the start, but that's why I also leave it up to coaches to make these decisions instead of those who merely look at NHL statistics to determine how well a goalie is doing.

Edited November 29, 2008 by Shoreline

[toby91_ca 620]

I think it's interesting to see some comments regarding his poor stats having to do (partially) to the poor defensive play thus far by the team. I agree with this, somewhat, but at the same time, people have argued that his really good stats in previous years were partially due to the great defensive play of the team.....and were shot down by many on here. You can't have it both ways.

I like Ozzie, but I truly do think some of his results (wins) are a little inflated beyond what his play would suggest. He's way up there on the career list, but I don' think he's way up there with the best goalies all time. Take this year for example, he hasn't really played that well, yet he has a record of 9-1-4.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Ozzie is mediocre at best at this point in his career. He's being exposed this year since the defense isn't quite as stiff as years previous.

Conklin will get the starting spot if this continues.

[miller76 463]

So what. Maybe he is having a few bumps in the road like other players this year. Last time I got his autograph, he did appear to be human. Has anyone ever thought that the defense that hasn't been exactly stellar, isn't doing a very good job in front of him. I mean that's what everyone has been bitching about on here for the last month, is the D.

I men it's in effen November. Lets talk about this seriously in February when we dont have a better record then 27 other teams or whatever the amount is.

[edicius 3,269]

I should ignore this thread, simply because the very subject line is factually incorrect for several reasons, but I'm a glutton for punishment.

Ozzie's stats have, unfortunately, not been good. Has he let in some softies or just some goals he'd like back? Sure. Have some unbeatable shots gone past him? Of course. Has he made some fantastic game-savers also? Yes.

Now, substitute Conklin into all of those statements. Still holds true, yes? You could say that for nearly ANY tender in the league.

The main difference is the stats right now. However, Ozzie's also 9-1-4. Conklin's 6-2-0.

Just for comparison, let's look at some other goaltenders around the league that are (or have been, in Turco's case) considered more elite:

Giguere: 8-7-2, 3.01 GAA, .907 SV%

Turco: 6-10-4, 3.64 GAA, .866 SV%

Kiprusoff: 13-8-1, 3.14 GAA, .893 SV%

Fleury: 8-3-2, 2.86 GAA, .907 SV%

And now Ozzie and Conklin:

Osgood: 9-1-4, 3.24 GAA, .878 SV%

Conklin: 6-2-0, 2.49 GAA, .914 SV%

There's a trend going on here - goaltending stats are down across the board. Ozzie's not the only casualty. Doesn't mean Conks isn't playing well - he is. And he IS playing better than Ozzie.

Okay then, let's just go by stats (and not winning record) to show who's the best of the best in the league. Here are your names:

Thomas (BOS), Boucher (SJ), Auld (OTT), Sabourin (PIT), Hiller (ANA), Anderson (FLA), Smith (TB).

Tampa Bay? Florida? OTTAWA?

Oh well. Guess we might as well just hand the Cup to them right now.

EDIT: Clarity.

Edited November 29, 2008 by edicius

[BeeRYCE 2]

The worst starting goalie title belongs to Gerber, seeing as he has been demoted big time.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Statistically speaking, he's not. Marty Turco has a worse GAA and SV%.

I'd trade Ozzie for Turco right now- only because Turco's a fairly young All-Star goalie that's struggling but is too damn talented to keep strugling. Incidentally, Ozzie's too talented and focused to maintain these poor numbers. He'll bounce back by the time April rolls around.

[The Secret 304]

My opinion has always been that Osgood has never been a starting goalie. IMO he has always been a good backup at best. This season, I think the hotter goalie should play which will create that competition between them that seems to spur them on to be at their best. Bench Osgood for a few and see if he sharpens his play after that... seemed to work for Lebda. Who ever think Howard will be the furture better think twice, Howards being shown up in GR by Larsson who is playing his first season in North America... our futrue in goal will be Larsson and McCollum.

[chrisdetroit 189]

I said from from the first week of the reg. season that Conklin will finish this year as the starting goalie for the Wings. Conklin has looked much better than Osgood all season long.

The season is only 25% over. Let's see how Ozzie plays the remaining 75%. Conklinn is not going to start in the playoffs unless Ozzie is injured.

Ozzie has a bit of a Stanley Cup hangover but he will be fine.

[chrisdetroit 189]

I'd trade Ozzie for Turco right now- only because Turco's a fairly young All-Star goalie that's struggling but is too damn talented to keep strugling. Incidentally, Ozzie's too talented and focused to maintain these poor numbers. He'll bounce back by the time April rolls around.

You would? Turco has never been able to win in the playoffs. Obvioulsy Ozzie has had some great playoff runs including last year's Stanley cup. No way I'd take Turco over Ozzie.

[tino59 0]

Granted, our defense does not look nearly as solid as last year, but what the heck happened to the Ozzie of last year!!!??? The thing that was great about him was that he just didn't give up soft goals last year. He wasn't perfect, but he didn't make any glaring mistakes.

It's the exact opposite this year, mental mistakes, technical mistakes. It just doesn't seem like his head is in the game.

[isbister 0]

I'd trade Ozzie for Turco right now- only because Turco's a fairly young All-Star goalie that's struggling but is too damn talented to keep strugling. Incidentally, Ozzie's too talented and focused to maintain these poor numbers. He'll bounce back by the time April rolls around.

I couldn't agree more... Oz knows he's gotta be better and I think he will break out of this funk soon. Its too early to discuss bringing up Howard and moving Conks to #1... The good thing about the wings is they do have options and talent in the orginization and come the end of the year when it counts the best players will be on the ice. Keep in mind, Hasek was pulled in the Nashville series and never saw the ice again. Have faith in Babs and more importantly have faith that Oz will get a lift and get goin.

[SDavis35 140]

I should ignore this thread, simply because the very subject line is factually incorrect for several reasons, but I'm a glutton for punishment.

Ozzie's stats have, unfortunately, not been good. Has he let in some softies or just some goals he'd like back? Sure. Have some unbeatable shots gone past him? Of course. Has he made some fantastic game-savers also? Yes.

Now, substitute Conklin into all of those statements. Still holds true, yes? You could say that for nearly ANY tender in the league.

The main difference is the stats right now. However, Ozzie's also 9-1-4. Conklin's 6-2-0.

Just for comparison, let's look at some other goaltenders around the league that are (or have been, in Turco's case) considered more elite:

Giguere: 8-7-2, 3.01 GAA, .907 SV%

Turco: 6-10-4, 3.64 GAA, .866 SV%

Kiprusoff: 13-8-1, 3.14 GAA, .893 SV%

Fleury: 8-3-2, 2.86 GAA, .907 SV%

And now Ozzie and Conklin:

Osgood: 9-1-4, 3.24 GAA, .878 SV%

Conklin: 6-2-0, 2.49 GAA, .914 SV%

There's a trend going on here - goaltending stats are down across the board. Ozzie's not the only casualty. Doesn't mean Conks isn't playing well - he is. And he IS playing better than Ozzie.

Okay then, let's just go by stats (and not winning record) to show who's the best of the best in the league. Here are your names:

Thomas (BOS), Boucher (SJ), Auld (OTT), Sabourin (PIT), Hiller (ANA), Anderson (FLA), Smith (TB).

Tampa Bay? Florida? OTTAWA?

Oh well. Guess we might as well just hand the Cup to them right now.

EDIT: Clarity.

Yep I agree, there's going to be a point this season where we need a goalie to bail us out, but luckily it's not every night like Florida/TB/Ottawa. I'm sure Ozzie will find that form again, he changed it up last year and had the best season of his career, mostly due to the competition I think. Both goalies have been allowing a couple soft goals, so let's bring Howie up for a couple games and put the pressure on! (Not sure, does that mean they have to clear waivers?)

[chrisdetroit 189]

I should ignore this thread, simply because the very subject line is factually incorrect for several reasons, but I'm a glutton for punishment.

Ozzie's stats have, unfortunately, not been good. Has he let in some softies or just some goals he'd like back? Sure. Have some unbeatable shots gone past him? Of course. Has he made some fantastic game-savers also? Yes.

Now, substitute Conklin into all of those statements. Still holds true, yes? You could say that for nearly ANY tender in the league.

The main difference is the stats right now. However, Ozzie's also 9-1-4. Conklin's 6-2-0.

Just for comparison, let's look at some other goaltenders around the league that are (or have been, in Turco's case) considered more elite:

Giguere: 8-7-2, 3.01 GAA, .907 SV%

Turco: 6-10-4, 3.64 GAA, .866 SV%

Kiprusoff: 13-8-1, 3.14 GAA, .893 SV%

Fleury: 8-3-2, 2.86 GAA, .907 SV%

And now Ozzie and Conklin:

Osgood: 9-1-4, 3.24 GAA, .878 SV%

Conklin: 6-2-0, 2.49 GAA, .914 SV%

There's a trend going on here - goaltending stats are down across the board. Ozzie's not the only casualty. Doesn't mean Conks isn't playing well - he is. And he IS playing better than Ozzie.

Okay then, let's just go by stats (and not winning record) to show who's the best of the best in the league. Here are your names:

Thomas (BOS), Boucher (SJ), Auld (OTT), Sabourin (PIT), Hiller (ANA), Anderson (FLA), Smith (TB).

Tampa Bay? Florida? OTTAWA?

Oh well. Guess we might as well just hand the Cup to them right now.

EDIT: Clarity.

You are looking at some small sample sizes. Let's just consider goaltenders with at least 15 games. Now, it makes more sense:

Thomas Bos .941

Smith TB .931

Auld Ota .928

Luongo Van .928

Backstrom Min .928

Lunquist NYR .927

Price Mon .923

None of those but Alex Auld are surprising IMO. All of them are very solid goaltenders.

Boucher only played 9 games, Sabourn 8, Hiller 9, Anderson 9. And Conklin also shouldn't be considered because he has only played 8. If you are going to quote stats you have to be aware of the sample sizes.

[pjgj13 30]

And yesterday he got scored from center ice. This guy deserves some fair criticism. It's not the defense all the time, he has been bad and he hasnt stolen a single game. Not even close.

Actually I think he stole the game last night. He made 3 or 4 great saves that could have cost the game had they gone in. I agree he hasn't been anywhere near last year's play, but the "D" hasn't played all that great and how many goals have been scored that deflect off a Wing's D-man and into the goal?

I'd trade Ozzie for Turco right now- only because Turco's a fairly young All-Star goalie that's struggling but is too damn talented to keep strugling. Incidentally, Ozzie's too talented and focused to maintain these poor numbers. He'll bounce back by the time April rolls around.

Turco is only 3 years younger (actually 2 3/4) than Ozzie and 3 years isn't that much of a difference when you are talking mid 30s.

[Red Crazy 201]

I think that we all agree that Ozzie has not been playing up to his usual standerd this season so far. He needs to be much better and I am guessing that he knows this. Some of the best goalies in the league have not enjoyed the stats that they have in the past, I think that it is way to early in the season to throw Ozzie under the bus. After all the coaching staff would be addressing this if indeed they thought it was a problem. We all need to remember that if you get two points at the end of the game does it matter what happened in it??????

Just ask a team that misses the playoffs by one single point.

[IceMunkee 15]

I should ignore this thread, simply because the very subject line is factually incorrect for several reasons, but I'm a glutton for punishment.

Ozzie's stats have, unfortunately, not been good. Has he let in some softies or just some goals he'd like back? Sure. Have some unbeatable shots gone past him? Of course. Has he made some fantastic game-savers also? Yes.

Now, substitute Conklin into all of those statements. Still holds true, yes? You could say that for nearly ANY tender in the league.

The main difference is the stats right now. However, Ozzie's also 9-1-4. Conklin's 6-2-0.

Just for comparison, let's look at some other goaltenders around the league that are (or have been, in Turco's case) considered more elite:

Giguere: 8-7-2, 3.01 GAA, .907 SV%

Turco: 6-10-4, 3.64 GAA, .866 SV%

Kiprusoff: 13-8-1, 3.14 GAA, .893 SV%

Fleury: 8-3-2, 2.86 GAA, .907 SV%

And now Ozzie and Conklin:

Osgood: 9-1-4, 3.24 GAA, .878 SV%

Conklin: 6-2-0, 2.49 GAA, .914 SV%

There's a trend going on here - goaltending stats are down across the board. Ozzie's not the only casualty. Doesn't mean Conks isn't playing well - he is. And he IS playing better than Ozzie.

Okay then, let's just go by stats (and not winning record) to show who's the best of the best in the league. Here are your names:

Thomas (BOS), Boucher (SJ), Auld (OTT), Sabourin (PIT), Hiller (ANA), Anderson (FLA), Smith (TB).

Tampa Bay? Florida? OTTAWA?

Oh well. Guess we might as well just hand the Cup to them right now.

EDIT: Clarity.

QFT

I agree. I think that the day of the elite unbeatable goalie may be close to over. The league is designed for high offensive games. With the penalty calling alone this season is pretty obvious. Oz has let in a few soft goals. He has made me yell with frustration but to say he is the worst starter in the league... I don't agree.