We need a goalie!

[pjgj13 30]

CAN WE BAN ALL GOALIE BASHING THREADS? SEEMS LIKE EVERY DAMN DAY THERE IS ANOTHER ONE. WE ARE WINNING AND THE GOALTENDING WILL COME AROUND.

GET A GRIP AND QUIT WHINING. I COULD SEE IF THIS WAS A LIONS BOARD AND SAYING WE NEED A QB, OL, DL, CB, LB (OR A NEW TEAM).

Edited December 8, 2008 by pjgj13

[b.shanafan14 733]

We don't need a new goalie....

WE NEED NEW FANS!!!!! <-- ones that are not used to only winning and ones that can be tough enough to suffer through these trying times when the team is playing s***ty and losing more games than they win... Seriously we need a new fan base that can tolerate not being the best in our division!

Amen.

[SDavis35 140]

We don't need a new goalie....

WE NEED NEW FANS!!!!! <-- ones that are not used to only winning and ones that can be tough enough to suffer through these trying times when the team is playing s***ty and losing more games than they win... Seriously we need a new fan base that can tolerate not being the best in our division!

We'd have to be on a losing team first

I just think of 82 games of that February thing last season... nightmares!

[OsGOD 3]

We'd have to be on a losing team first

I just think of 82 games of that February thing last season... nightmares!

OMG my bad!!!! i thought we were losing games.. you know like sometimes dec 7 2008 can be written as 08-12-07

i thought 18-4-4 was 4 wins 18 losses and 4 OTL... totally wrong...

WHAT THE f*** IS ALL YOUR PROBLEMS THEN??? we are 18-4-4!!!!!

::EDIT:: are you all the same fools that would be saying LIONS NEED A QB!! if they are 12-1 right now?

Edited December 8, 2008 by OsGOD

[Frozen-Man 144]

This year we don't have that luxury because both goalies have sucked. The top goalies around the league will bail their team out no matter how bad the defense is playing. This year the Wings goalies haven't done much to bail the defense out when they make mistakes. We've had to outscore all our opponents.

I understand what you are saying and don't fully disagree BUT top goalies around the league also don't make 1.41M (cap hit) or 750K which changes the dynamic a bit.

[lets go pavel 2]

This year we don't have that luxury because both goalies have sucked. The top goalies around the league will bail their team out no matter how bad the defense is playing. This year the Wings goalies haven't done much to bail the defense out when they make mistakes. We've had to outscore all our opponents.

Both Ozzie and Conks showed the ability to do just that last year. You're right, at the moment neither is doing much, but goalie's hit rough patches and there's no reason to think they won't get back to where they were last year. Give it some time, and I'm sure we'll be arguing about who is playing better, not who is playing worse.

[Nev 1,085]

This is getting out of control.

These threads were here last year, and we won the Cup.

Difference was, last year those threads were inspired by chicken-licken fans and/or Hasek/Osgood personal preferences and were a MASSIVE over-reaction to the situation.

This year, our defence and especially goaltending has been a huge problem almost every game. If you think we can win in the playoffs with this level of goaltending, prepare to be disapointed.

We don't need a new goalie, we need the ones we've got to get their **** together. And 60 minutes of effort by everyone not called Marian Hossa would be nice as well

[Dustywt4 0]

Isn't scoring up in the league this year?

[Ozzie30 170]

Wings D is the problem. Goaltending will come with defensive play.

The team has given up the 3rd most goals in the west.

[dobbles 252]

personally, i think the lack of quality goaltending this year leaves it open to criticism. sure we are winning games, but the goals allowed are awfully high. though it seems silly ot me to even talk about edmonton. they are looking to unload a goalie, not trade for another one. the only way that would ever work out is if there was a 3rd team willing to take a goalie and give a skater. thats just too much of a stretch to seem feasible. sure, calling up howard might ruffle some feathers, but he hasn't exactly been great either this year.

its currently a problem, but there's no easy solution, so lets just let this play out and hopefully things will improve sooner rather than later.

and on a personal preference, i would take a 5-4 game over a 2-1 game any day of the week. i still think this league needs significantly more offense.

[bellarina 1]

WOW.... alot of you guys are running out in left field.

First off goaltending is not the problem, its team defence.

Maybe Babcock should mix up the defensive pairing

Lids with Kronner

Stuart with Lebda

Rafi with Lilly

Once these guys click, goaltending becomes a 20 non-quality shot night.

some of you guys are not thinking straight.

This is the Wings. If this is as bad as it gets, we still have a great chance at a cup. If the team D improves then it betters our chances.

I've never been the greatest Ozzie fan, but I wouldn't trade him, He's proven it over and over again and still all the non-beleivers.

I don't agree with the fan base comment...we still have the best fans.

CHILL PILL PEOPLE.

[egroen 384]

When your top two defensemen combined make over six times as much money as both your goaltenders together, it's probably not best to call the goaltenders underachievers when your team is 25th in goals against. Even the 4th defenseman makes twice as much as your starting goalie. The Wings do not pay Osgood to steal games, but to hold down the fort.

[Slave 31]

If we fix our goalie problem then what are the analysts gonna say is our reason for not winning the cup is when the playoffs start?

[chrisdetroit 189]

The team needs to focus on the real problem, which is defense, before it can turn to goaltending. This team hasn't been up to par defensively, and it's actually pretty hard for me to tell if it's the goaltenders or the defense hanging them out to try. I've seen Ozzy and Conk countless times save the defense's ass, at the same time give up some bad ones as well. One thing is for sure, as many odd-man rushes, PKs, and losses to elite teams the Wings have had, I've seen it due to laziness (i.e. still in cup celebration mode), or bad defensive execution. No excuse for the collapses this team has had against good ones, and if it doesn't get better in the next month I say put a few defensemen on the trading block before throwing out the goalies.

You are wrong. Early in the year, it was bad team defense. That has pretty much been corrected. The shots on goal against average had peaked at 29.75 in game eight but has steadily been going down since then. It is now 26.92 which is 3rd in the league. Granted that shots against isn't a perfect measure of team defense but it is a pretty good one.

I was concerned early on so I put several stats into an excel spreadsheet and have been watching the trends.

The problem now is mostly goaltending.

The goals against really hasn't changed much since about game 10 except for the Pittsburgh game. So if Shots against has gone down and goals against hasn't that means that a higher percentage of shots are going in and mostly that's goaltending.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

What a waste of bandwidth. I wonder if these folks actually think we need a new netminder or if they are just bored and need to hear themselves type. I wonder if the goalie thread people have ever been to a game (or outside, in public, away from their keyboard) that is 4-4 late in the third. How freaking exciting is that?! Especially if the Wings win?!! In a shootout?!! The emotional roller coaster is what being a fan is all about, imho. Who wants a 6-1 blowout every single game, anyway? Moosefarts, that's who. Shut up and get a grip on the reality of hockey. stinkin moosefarts.

[OsGOD 3]

What a waste of bandwidth. I wonder if these folks actually think we need a new netminder or if they are just bored and need to hear themselves type. I wonder if the goalie thread people have ever been to a game (or outside, in public, away from their keyboard) that is 4-4 late in the third. How freaking exciting is that?! Especially if the Wings win?!! In a shootout?!! The emotional roller coaster is what being a fan is all about, imho. Who wants a 6-1 blowout every single game, anyway? Moosefarts, that's who. Shut up and get a grip on the reality of hockey. stinkin moosefarts.

From being right behind the bench for that game... f*** YEAH that was the best that could have happened.... even if it was 6-1 wings late in the 3rd i would be pulling for the Shoot out. That was exciting as hell, and to be that up close to the guys... yeah AWESOME!

Then again i was one of the few that actually really really really enjoyed being at the 6-7 pens game too

Edited December 8, 2008 by OsGOD

[scotzman 29]

You are wrong. Early in the year, it was bad team defense. That has pretty much been corrected. The shots on goal against average had peaked at 29.75 in game eight but has steadily been going down since then. It is now 26.92 which is 3rd in the league. Granted that shots against isn't a perfect measure of team defense but it is a pretty good one.

I was concerned early on so I put several stats into an excel spreadsheet and have been watching the trends.

The problem now is mostly goaltending.

The goals against really hasn't changed much since about game 10 except for the Pittsburgh game. So if Shots against has gone down and goals against hasn't that means that a higher percentage of shots are going in and mostly that's goaltending.

Thank you. You can't argue with that...

Now, if GAA continues to be an issue, I can absolutely guarantee that Holland is going to try to make a play somehow. I know cap space is tight, but what about someone from the East like Tomas Vokoun in FLA (big contract though), Manny Fernandez (FA - 2009) or Kari Lehtonen (FA - 2009).

[scotzman 29]

We don't need a new goalie, we need our D to step up.

This whole "our D needs to step up" that everyone is saying, may be true, but there is also some credence to the fact that Osgood has been a bit soft at times. When last season did you see Ozzie let in a shot outside the blue line (almost from center ice)?

He has been shaky in quite a few games... I am not panicking, just stating a fact.

[Louisville 112]

I just noticed Boston and Detroit are both 18-4-4

The difference being Boston's 56 GA to our 80 GA. Tim Thomas is a good goalie, but Boston is playing strong defense as one cohesive unit..which is what used to be the Wings biggest advantage.

[chrisdetroit 189]

And my point is, except out 3rd line, our entire team has been shaky. Zetterburg's dry spell, dats and Hossa's not getting points like they should....

Our entire team is shaky, I believe it's cup hangover + confidence issues. We all know Osgood is a capable goalie, just as we all know Lids is the #1 D-man, yet neither are playing like it (right now).

I'm not giving up on Ozzy, he's a proven goalie for our system.

What? How can you say that when we are:

#2 in winning % (tied with Boston)

#2 in Goals/Game

#1 in PP% (5% above the #2 team)

#1 in shots/game (tied with San Jose)

#3 in shots against per game

#1 in Face Off %

Stanley Cup Hangover? Entire team is shaky?

Huh?

[Guest MrSandMan]

What? How can you say that when we are:

#2 in winning % (tied with Boston)

#2 in Goals/Game

#1 in PP% (5% above the #2 team)

#1 in shots/game (tied with San Jose)

#3 in shots against per game

#1 in Face Off %

Stanley Cup Hangover? Entire team is shaky?

Huh?

"shaky" was the word scotzman used. Now explain 80 GA.

Is that what this team was on par to last year (at this time) without Hossa? Is this the norm for the Detroit Red Wings?

Don't let those stats bloat ya.. Our PP has been lagging. We are 'barely' winning games and our top offense has been lagging.

Why are you trying to pin that on Osgood? Huh?

[Louisville 112]

what bothers me are the games where both oz and conk have less than 20 shots on net and let in 3 or more goals. blame all the defense you want, but if your goaltender can't take 20 shots a game he needs to pick another profession.

Is there a stat anywhere that accounts for total scoring opportunities allowed?

I think that would be a good indicator, as 20 shots is different from 20 shots including 10 good scoring opportunities.

[Outsider 42]

You are wrong. Early in the year, it was bad team defense. That has pretty much been corrected. The shots on goal against average had peaked at 29.75 in game eight but has steadily been going down since then. It is now 26.92 which is 3rd in the league. Granted that shots against isn't a perfect measure of team defense but it is a pretty good one.

I was concerned early on so I put several stats into an excel spreadsheet and have been watching the trends.

The problem now is mostly goaltending.

The goals against really hasn't changed much since about game 10 except for the Pittsburgh game. So if Shots against has gone down and goals against hasn't that means that a higher percentage of shots are going in and mostly that's goaltending.

With all due respect, the Game is not played on an Excel spreadsheet. It's played on the ice.

The shots against have been declining. The turnovers in the Defensive zone, behind the net, etc., have not.

That's the problem with Stats Junkies. Stats tell a poor tale.

If a goalie gives up 4 goals on 10 shots, you'd say he had a bad night. Right? That's what the "stats" read, anyway.

Unless, of course, you happen to know that it wasn't 4 goals on 10 shots, but 4 goals on 10 PENALTY SHOTS. Quite a bit of difference there.

Having said that, Ozzie hasn't been as good as he can be.

He needs to toss the old equipment. I hear he's breaking in new equipment exclusively in practice.....but still wearing the old equipment in Games. Fark that. You can't practice all week wearing one set of equipment, get a feel for it, and then use totally different equipment when the puck drops in a Game situation. That's gonna throw your Game all off kilter.

Cut the cord, Oz, one way or the other. Either use the old equipment, practice and Game, and break in the new stuff over the summer, or commit to the new equipment, practice and Game, and get rid of the old stuff.

Can't keep switching back and forth like that. You'll never get comfortable in net.

Edited December 9, 2008 by Outsider

[AtomicPunk 296]

When is the last time you saw a Red Wing player go down to block a shot?

[Guest Shoreline]

You are wrong. Early in the year, it was bad team defense. That has pretty much been corrected. The shots on goal against average had peaked at 29.75 in game eight but has steadily been going down since then. It is now 26.92 which is 3rd in the league. Granted that shots against isn't a perfect measure of team defense but it is a pretty good one.

I was concerned early on so I put several stats into an excel spreadsheet and have been watching the trends.

The problem now is mostly goaltending.

The goals against really hasn't changed much since about game 10 except for the Pittsburgh game. So if Shots against has gone down and goals against hasn't that means that a higher percentage of shots are going in and mostly that's goaltending.

Do your stats account for the Wings defense being out of position, regularly allowing odd-man rushes, caught standing around down low (not taking the man out of the play), not making checks in the offensive and neutral zones to take a puckhandler out of an impending play before they can rush up ice to contribute to a scoring play, with Osgood or Conklin not being able to save their ass every time? No, not really. Drop the excel spreadsheet, watch the games. Did Babcock just shake up the goaltending? No. He just shook up the defense, and dismissed criticism of goaltending merely because maybe the save percentage isn't on par. If one could diagnose on-ice problems by simply analyzing statistics one could get from NHL.com there'd be no reason to have coaches behind the bench at all.

This team's defense has been aw-ful compared to last year. Even Lidstrom has looked terrible defensively compared to last year, and very much more prone to being beaten by speed or physical prowess.

Edited December 9, 2008 by Shoreline