ltgator333 3 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Reality check...There wont be a goaltender change before the deadline, so its got to be defensive improvement if the Wings are to repeat. I've seen every game this year, and despite the fact that Ozzie does bleed in some soft goals now and then, its my impression that the team gives up a much higher percentage of quality shots than in the past. But this "The sky is falling mentality" kind of sickens me, since, after all, the Wings didn't win the President's cup in either 1997 or 1998. Lets all just chill out, because it's certainly not beyond the realm of possibility that the team will be hitting on all cylinders late in March and early in April when it really matters. I'm glad I'm not the only one whose noticed this. I mean realisticly I think Oz made a couple of stellar saves (glove on Jovo and the Hasek-esque flop) or it could've easily been a 6-5 win for whine gretzky and company, then Todd F'n Fedoruk scores a goal on him... what gives? I'm not too terribly worried about goaltending in the postseason, we've got two solid goalies one of which will do the job, just like last year. I think if anything the wings need a solid, stay at home D man. A Jamie Macoun or Bob Rouse would be great (wonder if they're available...) Yeah I know, but Lilja stopped coughing up the puck and it seems like everyone else is chipping in for him in that dept. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Prediction: This thread will end up as a Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boomer 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Are people joining this forum to just make their very first post about our goaltending ? I guess it's hard to have some original thoughts... Listen genius Detroit can't base a dynasty on crappy goaltending. Does SAWCHUK ring a bell boyeeeeee. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjlegend 155 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 ray emery. Sean Avery. I'm guessing we wouldn't have to worry about his rebound control... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Yeah we all know Ozzie's numbers suck, but it could be worse. The Ducks have Giguere who has been more of a back up as of late. He is sucking too, but sucking for a whopping 6 million this season, and 7 million next season! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 One or the other has to be fixed. I'm confident that if the Wings were to somehow rectify the defense, that Conklin would be adequate enough to win some playoff games. Conklin has a .915 save percentage%. If we can strengthen our defense and cut down on those shots in the slot, I think you'd probably see Conklin pull off some games with only a goal or two against. One things for sure, though. We have to fix one or the other. If we can boost our defense, then we should be able to insulate our goaltenders. But if we can't do that, then we need a goalie whos gonna make up for our defensive gaffs. And neither Osgood nor Conklin seems capable of being a game stealer. I agree. We're okay with goaltending if our defense can wake up. We could get a goalie and be okay, or we could rejuvinate the defense and be okay. Upgrading the D would be cheaper, I think. Add a little mean streak and solid defensive play and we could probably ride either Ozzie or Conklin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 not again.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wingsallwin 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 This coming trade line in Feb will be extremely significant for the rest of the season and the future. We know Osgood has been terrible this season and he is getting old and he seems like he cannot bounce back to his game during the contract left for him. Conklin, who was mainly used as a backup goaltending has been enough solid but if we sign with him in a big cap, that is ridiculous even though I kept saying I love Conks more than Osgood this season. We all also know Nick is coming to the end of his career. If we sign with him again and by the attitude of him, we can sign him again without as big money as now. However, we knew this team's defenses have been very solid last almost 10 years because of Nick and Chellios but both have gotten too old to play with their prime again. As I see in the league right now, there is no solid defense like Nick in the league as I compare Nick's last season, even this season, and other players performance. It will be pretty if Ericsson can provide a good performance as a young defenseman but personally, I don't expect Ericsson to be like Nick, but he will be good. So we cannot suppose this team's defenses will be going under the solid way in the future. Last few seasons, because our defenses were solid, our goalies did not have to face up those many shots when other goalies faced many shots against. However, as the season going on right now, the team's defenses are now shaking up, so we have to know the goalie should be important for this team since this season. I personally like the Wings to sign with either Backstrom or Luongo. Both are real good goalies and coming to the end of the contract. This season is Backstrom's last season and Luongo will be FA as the end of 09-10 season and the Canucks do not seem to be a cup contender. Which means, if both goalies want to win the cup with the best offenses and solid defenses, they have big possibilities to choose to come to the Wings. Let's exclude the story of resigning contract with Hossa,and Franzen. Backstrom is getting 3.1 million cap hit and Luongo is getting 6.75 million cap hit but he will get 7.5million next season. If we suppose both goalies will get a home discount because they come to the Wings, ideal cap will be 2.5 for Backstrom and between 5 - 5.5 will be dealt for Luongo. And if that, I will take Backstrom instead of adding one defense. We cannot just say Lilja will be rock next few seasons by watching his good play this season and Kronwall has been awfully bad this season. If our defenses cannot be consistent like last 10 seasons, we really need a good goalie who is around 30 years old. We know the Wings have never dealt a goalie contract with a big cap hit but no team can keep the style of their cap system for long time. We probably need changes and the core of that change should be a goalie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 ? So you feel that Ozzy's performance isn't worrying? Sure our defense hasn't looked great out there, but they aren't getting that last line of defense goaltending you expect from your goalie. In the games where they do get that (ie. when Conks is on his game or Oz is having a good night) the score is very low. A few times Ozzy has played great but got killed by the defense in front of him. No question on that- it's happened. BUT those nights are much less common than the nights where Ozzy just isn't there for us. Team defense is definitely troublesome right now, but goaltending is definitely the most impactful change one can make to solve this problem in a single move. No.. I was rolling my eyes because this is the 1,000,000th thread about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Listen genius Detroit can't base a dynasty on crappy goaltending. Does SAWCHUK ring a bell boyeeeeee. But it CAN base a dynasty on stellar defense. Does Lidstrom ring a bell, boyeeeeeee? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
interminded 1 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 (edited) Listen genius Detroit can't base a dynasty on crappy goaltending. Does SAWCHUK ring a bell boyeeeeee. A dynasty ? Guess you're playing way to much NHL09... It's hard enough to win back-to-back Stanley Cups.. let alone in a salary cap era. But you want to raise the bar even higher by building a dynasty ? The last NHL-dynasty ended 20 years ago. Maybe that says something. And you don't have to be a genius to figure that out. Furthermore, even teams that had goaltenders like Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek or Martin Brodeur haven't been succesful in building a dynasty. p.s. Please don't say 'boyeeeeee' again. Ever. Edited February 6, 2009 by interminded Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 To be honest- I think Ozzy would really benefit from the Wings bringing in his off season goaltending coach (not the current guy they have in Detroit/GR). All of Ozzy's great changes and improvements in his game came from his off season goaltending coach. Stan Matwijiw was the goalie coach he sought to re-structure his game. I grew up living next door to Stan, cool guy and has done quite well for himself as a goalie coach. If this would help then let's bring Stan in to consult the situation for a bit... it sure as hell can't make Osgood play any worse then he has. s***, maybe Stan would even dust the pads off and hop in there to show 'em how its done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 lmao... lets get toskola! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotzman 29 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 I know everybody hates these threads, but let's be honest here... You could have 6 Lidstroms in the lineup playing DEF, but if your Goalie can't stop the puck you're f*cked. Ozzy has been BAD. Conks is the better tender right now... We're screwed without better tending... end of story. All you delusional people who think otherwise are, well, delusional. As an aside, while I might not post here everyday, I just thought this was a place for Wings fans to get together and talk about the Wings. Obviously some don't agree... speaking of topics I've heard a million times, seems we've had this talk about the superiority of some people on here a million times too. If you don't like the thread, move along. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 I know everybody hates these threads, but let's be honest here... You could have 6 Lidstroms in the lineup playing DEF, but if your Goalie can't stop the puck you're f*cked. Ozzy has been BAD. Conks is the better tender right now... We're screwed without better tending... end of story. All you delusional people who think otherwise are, well, delusional. As an aside, while I might not post here everyday, I just thought this was a place for Wings fans to get together and talk about the Wings. Obviously some don't agree... speaking of topics I've heard a million times, seems we've had this talk about the superiority of some people on here a million times too. If you don't like the thread, move along. well that depends Norris caliber lidstrom... or not so perfect man of mistakes lidstrom of this year? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotzman 29 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 well that depends Norris caliber lidstrom... or not so perfect man of mistakes lidstrom of this year? Even the way Lids is playing right now, he is still the best D-man in the league. Ozzy is the worst (statistically, besides wins) in the league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 (edited) Even the way Lids is playing right now, he is still the best D-man in the league. Ozzy is the worst (statistically, besides wins) in the league. Lids being the best is soley wings fan biasness... he is hardly the best in the league right now! the only stat ozzie is worst in the league and thats not off by much more than .003% save percentage. I would take the W's over the save percentage right now... even his gaa isn't the worst in the league either Edited February 6, 2009 by OsGOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotzman 29 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Lids being the best is soley wings fan biasness... he is hardly the best in the league right now! Really... who would you say is better? Who would you rather have? Who anticipates and is more defensively sound? Either way, Osgood is not good right now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMAC 25 18 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 ray emery. haha that would make our team worse i think, but then we would have a goalie that doesnt have a problem fighting haha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Conklin and Osgood have similar numbers in '09 since Osgood's returned. They both need to step up, no doubt, but they'll both do better when the D gets better. I still don't feel goaltending is near the issue it's made out to be on here. The team defense is filled with holes right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Conklin and Osgood have similar numbers in '09 since Osgood's returned. They both need to step up, no doubt, but they'll both do better when the D gets better. I still don't feel goaltending is near the issue it's made out to be on here. The team defense is filled with holes right now. Yeah this is how I feel. Yeah neither goalie has been great but the team is giving up some terrible, well great if you are the other team, chances. That is not Red Wings hockey. The last half of the first period the other night they got outshot 10-2 I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Legace's on waivers. Just sayin'... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 i do say bring back legace he has better stats than ozzie on a "worse" team... rock on! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 Lids being the best is soley wings fan biasness... he is hardly the best in the league right now! Actually, there have been surveys done amongst players (I believe) saying that Lidstrom is the best d-man in the game. He may be having a rough start, but he's so well revered by the hockey world in general that he could make a total blunder and still be considered the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted February 6, 2009 (edited) Actually, there have been surveys done amongst players (I believe) saying that Lidstrom is the best d-man in the game. He may be having a rough start, but he's so well revered by the hockey world in general that he could make a total blunder and still be considered the best. Well sure he is perceived as being the best... but statistically speaking this season there are several players more benefical to their team (statistically speaking because that is what is being brought up with ozzie) From my perception he (ozzie) made several HUGE saves that came off of defensive brain freezes against Phoenix... but statistically he is near the bottom on some stats. Edited February 6, 2009 by OsGOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
