Chris Osgood breaks silence: 'I feel great'

[Gnredwing 10]

Quick update from Joe Louis Arena: Chris Osgood talked to reporters after practice for the first time since the team announced last Friday that it was shutting him down for a mental recharge.

Osgood will get his first start Friday -- at home against the L.A. Kings -- since a 6-5 shoot-out loss to Colorado on Feb. 15.

Osgood said he “talked with the right people” and had “great practices” with goaltending coach Jim Bedard.

“I feel great,” Osgood said. “Had a good break on the weekend.”

Osgood said time off was planned.

“I read stuff and hear stuff, and it’s so far from the truth, sometimes it angers you. But you can’t really say anything about it,” he said. “I know what’s going on. Jimmy B knows what’s going on, Ken Holland knows what’s going on, (Mike Babcock) knows what’s going on.”

[Yzersyukstromberg 0]

Glad to hear that Ozzie took it for what it was supposed to be...a break. He used the time properly, apparently, and maybe it'll show in his game when he gets the start tomorrow night. I know that Ozzie is a good goalie, and I think now is the time for him to state his case for why he should have the starting job come playoff time. Conks has already stated his case...I'd like to see what Ozzie has coming down the stretch.

[Guest Shoreline]

Glad to hear that Ozzie took it for what it was supposed to be...a break. He used the time properly, apparently, and maybe it'll show in his game when he gets the start tomorrow night. I know that Ozzie is a good goalie, and I think now is the time for him to state his case for why he should have the starting job come playoff time. Conks has already stated his case...I'd like to see what Ozzie has coming down the stretch.

Indeed. It's getting near that time to make the stretch run with the players who are doing their best and it would be unfortunate not to have Ozzie as the starter. Whatever the case, Conk would do just fine. As I said earlier, maybe Conk could be last season's Ozzie.

[Z and D for the C 712]

To be real, we've heard this before.

[NomadFromKazoo 42]

To be real, we've heard this before.

Exactly what I was thinking. I hope he's "back," but I'd like to see him not suck for a change before counting on anything. At least Conklin is showing if Ozzie can't pull it together all's not lost. But I still feel better with an Ozzie on top of his game going into the playoffs.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

To be real, we've heard this before.

Many times... especially since the middle of the season.

[tingnoel 4]

I really hope this whole "ten day break" thing worked out for the best. I know I'll be thinking happy thoughts of amazing kick saves for Friday...

I miss the old Ozzie. Where did he go?

[Grim 5]

when did Ozzie switch to butterfly style?

[eva unit zero 271]

when did Ozzie switch to butterfly style?

Osgood started his NHL career as a hybrid goalie like Martin Brodeur and a few others have been, and during the lockout he worked to fine-tune his style to improve the butterfly area of his game as well as his overall style to allow him to cover more of the net. Holland said last season that he felt Osgood's play since the lockout was better than his play with the Wings before it, even though he had been nominated for the Vezina pre-lockout.

It's the same as how Hasek evolved his game by becoming a bit more of a classic stand-up goaltender than he used to be to account for his history of groin injuries. It allowed him to cover the same areas of the net in a different way that he wouldn't have previously used, and because of his groin history was now his only option.

[55fan 5,133]

I'm glad Ozzie is staying positive.

Nothing could be better for the Wings than to have 2 goalies we're comfortable with heading into the playoffs.

[finalfilppula 2]

kenny trusts in him.

[beepbeep 3]

To be real, we've heard this before.

Yup, and it's getting old.......

[Mors 201]

Does Osgood ever say he doesn't feel good or "I'm almost there"? Time for him to put up or shut up

[clutchngrab 12]

I'm glad Ozzie is staying positive.

Nothing could be better for the Wings than to have 2 goalies we're comfortable with heading into the playoffs.

Speak for yourself, Its going to take the rest of the season for me to be comfortable with Osgood come playoff time. Personally, I think Conklin is a better goalie based on his play on the ice. Until Osgood approaches at least Conklin's level of play, Conklin would be my starter. Especially after last night which was basically as close to playoff game as your gonna get in the regular season. Guess what? Conlin outplayed Nabby.

[Chunkylover 26]

Osgood started last season gunning for the starter spot from the position of back-up. It may be for the best if he gets the idea he has already been supplanted. Conks is playing well, and the team is playing better defense. If Ozzie can't show improvement I'm comfortable with Conklin. The Wings win with tough defense, not goal-tending.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

He must read letsgowings.com

I was just about to say that

[Vladifan 680]

I'm glad Ozzie is staying positive.

Nothing could be better for the Wings than to have 2 goalies we're comfortable with heading into the playoffs.

Amen, git daown and right on.

[55fan 5,133]

Speak for yourself, Its going to take the rest of the season for me to be comfortable with Osgood come playoff time. Personally, I think Conklin is a better goalie based on his play on the ice. Until Osgood approaches at least Conklin's level of play, Conklin would be my starter. Especially after last night which was basically as close to playoff game as your gonna get in the regular season. Guess what? Conlin outplayed Nabby.

That's pretty much what I meant. Sorry if it didn't come out that way.

I meant that I hope Ozzie comes back and plays like he can, not like he has, so that when the playoffs come around, we have 2 goalies that we're comfortable with.

To be honest, I'd be fine with Conks starting. I just want Ozzie to be up to a point that we know that if something happens to Conks (God forbid) that we'll have someone to hop right in that we have confidence in.

[Z and D for the C 712]

“I read stuff and hear stuff, and it’s so far from the truth, sometimes it angers you. But you can’t really say anything about it,” he said. “I know what’s going on. Jimmy B knows what’s going on, Ken Holland knows what’s going on, (Mike Babcock) knows what’s going on.”

I'd be interested in hearing chris's account of what is going on, versus what he reads and hears. He's played like s*** for the entire season with zero sign of improvement. What else could there be?

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Does Osgood ever say he doesn't feel good or "I'm almost there"? Time for him to put up or shut up

Much better to be positive then down on yourself. Osgood, like myself is a fellow Sagittarian. We're optimistic to no end. Yeah it might be a little much at time, but it sure as hell beats being negative. Being positive brings forth confidence. Ain't nothing wrong with that.

[Wingsallwin 0]

I am not against Osgood but Osgood has to show his confidence by the game performances. This speech of Osgood was already reported few months ago; in fact, since 30 games into the season. Osgood is just like "fine, I am on the right track". If he is on the right track, show the improvement.

Being positive is good, but not always. Being positive when it is needed to panic, that is a failure. That was just my nation, Korean soccer team. They always say "we are good, we are trying to be positive, we will do better next time.." No difference. If Osgood really feels good, he should play good. If he does not play good, that means he does not feel great.. if he still says he feels great when he plays poorly, then something is wrong.

Hopefully, Osgood just finally feels GREAT in himself after this long break, the result will come up with tomorrow's game.

[P. Marlowe 748]

“I read stuff and hear stuff, and it’s so far from the truth, sometimes it angers you. But you can’t really say anything about it,” he said. “I know what’s going on. Jimmy B knows what’s going on, Ken Holland knows what’s going on, (Mike Babcock) knows what’s going on.”

Doesn't he know how to get a user account here?

[interminded 1]

If Chris feels good, Babcock must play him.

Regardsless of tonight's result.

Play him 5/6 times in a row.

A goalie can't build confidence on 1 or 2 games a week.

It's obvious Holland and Babcock see Ozzie as their starter for the playoffs, despite the fact he has been less than stellar and Conklin has been well above average.

If Ozzie is their starter, let him get into a groove.

[Guest mindfly]

Any smartass who can read between the lines and explain what this could mean?

"Asked if the break was necessary, Osgood said it was "planned for a reason." He declined to reveal the reason."

[TimeBinder 28]

Blah blah blah, put up or shut up - heard this same bulls*** before. If you want it - take it. No excuses.Pitch a shut out tonight and shut up the nay sayers. If he oscraps the bed tonight - what will the ozzie sycophants say then: he needs more games, not his fault, bad defense bad bounces, my groin hurts mommy, etc - whatever.