Howard Recalled; Osgood told to "re-focus"

[edicius 3,269]

I like it, as much as I love Ozzie it needs to happen.

I concur. Ozzie needs this. He probably knows it better than any of us. It's about damn time this is happening.

[Mike 0]

This is a very smart move. It's obvious Ozzie has been struggling as of late and some time out will help him get his game back, I hope. I've been wanting to see Jimmy get his chance for a while now. Minnesota is no slouch of a team, so Jimmy will have to play on his head. It will be a good test to see if Jimmy has got it. D-men better play sharp in front of Conks. I don't want to be there for another loss. ******* Colorado.

[The Secret 304]

WOW, this comes as a huge surprise... joke. I am really happy they are doing this. I don't know nor do i care what Osgoods problem is but like I have said before practice is the place for Osgood to figure it out, not in games where his piss poor play affects the over-all confidence of the team. Now the D can worry about improving their play with less worry about a zillion s***ty goals getting past Osgood.

I'm a little disappointed they gave the nod to Howard over Larsson. I am excited to see what Larsson can do and I have not been impressed at all with Howard with the games I have seen him in. However, right now Howard should look incredible following the s*** cloud Osgood has left behind him. Let's hope Osgood's mental vacation gets him in a better place and Conklin can continue to improve and show he can bring us back. I'm pulling for Conks/Howard combo to impress.

[servo 15]

I think this is more than getting him on track for the playoffs. IMO, Conklin is a great choice that I have a ton of confidence in and I feel we can win going into the playoffs. The weak goals that Osgood has given up is a huge deflator for the team that distracts them away from the little things that are needed to win.

I think this is the last chance. Maybe he's shipped out at the trade deadline?

[The Secret 304]

I think this is more than getting him on track for the playoffs. IMO, Conklin is a great choice that I have a ton of confidence in and I feel we can win going into the playoffs. The weak goals that Osgood has given up is a huge deflator for the team that distracts them away from the little things that are needed to win.

I think this is the last chance. Maybe he's shipped out at the trade deadline?

I doubt he is going anywhere.... who would want him playing amateur level hockey like he is? I wouldn't be opposed to shipping him out but I really doubt there would be any takers on him.

[seeinred 1,488]

This still isn't eating in to any actual cap space I think, too, so I'm cool with it. Not that that matters, obviously.

[boomer 0]

WOW, this comes as a huge surprise... joke. I am really happy they are doing this. I don't know nor do i care what Osgoods problem is but like I have said before practice is the place for Osgood to figure it out, not in games where his piss poor play affects the over-all confidence of the team. Now the D can worry about improving their play with less worry about a zillion s***ty goals getting past Osgood.

I'm a little disappointed they gave the nod to Howard over Larsson. I am excited to see what Larsson can do and I have not been impressed at all with Howard with the games I have seen him in. However, right now Howard should look incredible following the s*** cloud Osgood has left behind him. Let's hope Osgood's mental vacation gets him in a better place and Conklin can continue to improve and show he can bring us back. I'm pulling for Conks/Howard combo to impress.

Your bang on totally, its about time that they bring up one of them. There's a lot of us on this board that have been clamoring about Osgood's lousy goaltending. It's clear that Holland has got the message loud and clear. I suspect that this move a few weeks from the deadline signals that they have been shopping around for a goalie. If Howard doesn't show that he has the right stuff to back up Conklin, then its very possible were gonna have a transaction for someone who can. All in all this a positive sign that something gotta give. It should have been done sooner, but better late then never. Give it your best shot Howard!

[soultrain 43]

OZZY! OZZY! OZZY! OZZY..OZzy....welp... guess now is better than next week...i still love the guy.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

This still isn't eating in to any actual cap space I think, too, so I'm cool with it. Not that that matters, obviously.

It would matter in terms of any potential deadline moves, but no, it's not using any cap space. All of it is being done under Stuart's IR cap relief. And if there wasn't enough room the team could move Homer onto IR as well.

[Guest lilja4mvp]

"bububububububububu ozzie has been fine!"

[seeinred 1,488]

It would matter in terms of any potential deadline moves, but no, it's not using any cap space. All of it is being done under Stuart's IR cap relief. And if there wasn't enough room the team could move Homer onto IR as well.

Yeah when I said it doesn't matter, I meant me being cool with it. I meant I was cool with it because it was still under Stuart's cap relief and Holland is still accumulating cap space for the deadline if he wants it.

[boomer 0]

Is this sarcasm?

I really wish Maltby would continue to sit for the time being. I just don't find him to be effective anymore and Leino has been stellar. That being said, a rotation makes sense to keep everyone fresh.

I suspect Maltby is gone by the deadline, who knows maybe there's a package being put together to acquire a goaltender?

[RedSea 31]

I suspect Maltby is gone by the deadline, who knows maybe there's a package being put together to acquire a goaltender?

No way the Wings trade Maltby. One reason they got Hossa is because of their loyalty. And second of all, Maltby does not garner much trade value.

[wingfan1991 221]

looking forward to seeing howard!

[HenrikRules40 14]

I don't get it. Didn't Ozzie just say last week how this is the most focused he's been all year? Didn't he say he's 100% now? He's usually the first to comment on his poor play but he has been quite cavalier about it, saying he's right where he wants to be. Apparently management thinks otherwise. Good move.

[boomer 0]

I think this is more than getting him on track for the playoffs. IMO, Conklin is a great choice that I have a ton of confidence in and I feel we can win going into the playoffs. The weak goals that Osgood has given up is a huge deflator for the team that distracts them away from the little things that are needed to win.

I think this is the last chance. Maybe he's shipped out at the trade deadline?

I don't seei him shipped at the deadline with his numbers and the team he's on who would take him; unless as a back up maybe in Calgary? I dunno but if I look at Howard coming up finally just a couple of weeks before the deadline, Maltby out for Leino something's brewing. We could be looking at a multiple player deal that nets us a goaltender to play next to Conklin if Howard doesn't make a splash. Its about time things get stirred around.

[The Secret 304]

I don't get it. Didn't Ozzie just say last week how this is the most focused he's been all year? Didn't he say he's 100% now? He's usually the first to comment on his poor play but he has been quite cavalier about it, saying he's right where he wants to be. Apparently management thinks otherwise. Good move.

You can lie about s***ting your pants for a little while but eventually the evidence speaks louder.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I don't get it. Didn't Ozzie just say last week how this is the most focused he's been all year? Didn't he say he's 100% now? He's usually the first to comment on his poor play but he has been quite cavalier about it, saying he's right where he wants to be. Apparently management thinks otherwise. Good move.

Good lord, could you imagine the firestorm if Oz dropped some Legace-esque quotes about how he was playing and feeling? He's playing it right.

[HomeNugget 2]

Good move here by management. Ozzie hasn't been up to snuff this year, and hopefully this serves as a wake-up call. If Ozzie can't put it together, I hope Howard can play some Dryden-esque hockey because I'm not sure I completely trust Conklin in the playoffs.

[NomadFromKazoo 42]

And now all Ozzie's (ex)supporters will like this move, right?

Good move, Osgood sucks this season.

You got the spin going already? As an Ozzie "supporter," my basic argument is that there is no other obvious better solution and none of the coaches were saying Conklin or minor leaguers are. I was and am totally skeptical of solving the problem with a trade for all the reasons discussed: who we can get, who we'd give up, the cap hit, syncing with the D in a short time... We were relying heavily on the coaches rather then arm chair GMs who told us they had all the answers and that was Conklin, Howard, trade, whatever. I haven't seen ANYONE say Ozzie's not sucking or the coaches should not make a change if they see a better option.

And BTW, this completely glosses over that trying Howard out now locks us into nothing and that you're WAY over reading that Ozzie is somehow "done" as you seem to be implying. So I'll stand up and say I've "supported" Ozzie, and yes I support this move, and yes, I stand by both. I shy away from nothing. And I think the coaches will make the best call in the playoffs, which I still think is going to end up being Ozzie, but I'll be perfectly happy if it's not.

[HomeNugget 2]

Good lord, could you imagine the firestorm if Oz dropped some Legace-esque quotes about how he was playing and feeling? He's playing it right.

Agreed. The Red Wings don't need another goalie with no confidence contemplating suicide.

[Wingsallwin 0]

I think Kenny might lose credit on Ozzie. No doubt Ozzie has been really bad and regarldless of his playoff experience, I think Kenny and Babs do not trust him in the net anymore.

I agree we have to see how Howard plays but I do not think Howard will be at least worse than Osgood. This choice might happen because there is no worse than Osgood right now even though I think there is still a possibility he will bounce back

[boomer 0]

Straight from Holland's mouth.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...341/1004/SPORTS

I knew you didn't really want me off the board afterall ! But jokes aside key in on Holland's words " really looking outside"; that does not mean that he has not made inquiries about availability of goaltenders around the league , he would be an inept manager if he didn't which he's not. Yes I will go along with the thrust of the idea that he is first looking within ,which correlates to this move to bring up Howard, but if Howard doesn't cut - then as the deadline looms moves can be made. And that's what you would exspect from management if a weak link remains in the team. Rememember despite our differences of opinion we are all one and one for all with the Wings!

[SDavis35 140]

Good, been waiting to see Howie all year! Finally the space to put him in. Ozzie just needs to work on the little things to his game, not sure if 10 days is quite the amount needed, but we'll see how he works with it.

[redwings1914 18]

Very surprising.