Osgood says he is ready to lead the team in the playoffs

[Ms_Hockey 0]

To be fair, the more games I see, the less concerned I am with the goaltending. It doesn't matter who says they're going to lead us to the playoffs - the defense needs to step up. Conklin has suffered just like Osgood has.. so Ozzie saying he's ready to lead the team in the playoffs is great, but it's not really him I'm too worried about.

[puckloo39 5,686]

To be fair, the more games I see, the less concerned I am with the goaltending. It doesn't matter who says they're going to lead us to the playoffs - the defense needs to step up. Conklin has suffered just like Osgood has.. so Ozzie saying he's ready to lead the team in the playoffs is great, but it's not really him I'm too worried about.

I would agree with the part about the team needing to step up in some cases. However, even Ozzie (or perhaps only Ozzie) ought to acknowledge that he's been a big part of the problem this season. A goalie who lets in poor quality chances at inopportune times in a game becomes a mental issue for even the best teams. I am glad he's not suicidal and looking for a rope, but on the other hand, he needs to play the way he knows how and not dissemble and say he's fine -- so it must be everyone else who sucks??

[Outsider 42]

I didn't like how Conklin was handled this season. At all.

He clearly was having a better season, and despite having good performances, Babcock would sit him in favor of a clearly struggling Chris Osgood and play him in 3+ straight games so he got time to "figure it out," all the while still continuing to lose games.

How Osgood managed to start more games this season than Conklin boggles my mind.

I believe that had Conklin started that majority of the games, the team would at least be in 1st place overall. Maybe not comfortably, but still in 1st place.

Your bias is showing. You act as though Osgood has been dropping game after game all Season, whereas Conklin has been unbeatable.

FACT of the matter is that Osgood has lost eight games in regulation this Season. Eight. He's lost 7 in OT's/SO's. Thats a total of 15 total "losses", with 7 points coming in his losses.

Conklin has lost ten games in regulation this Season. Yes...that's right....ten. In fewer games, as you're so quick to point out. He's lost 2 in OT's/SO's. That's a total of 12 losses, with a total of 2 points in his losses.

Conkin was given an opportunity to compete for the #1 spot from the end of February.

His stats, and more importantly, his play on the ice, from that time has plummeted like a rock, and he's posting worse numbers than Osgood.

And regardless of how you feel about how Conklin was "handled" this season, he wasn't "handled" any differenty this year than he has been any other time he's cracked an NHL lineup in his career. He was handled.....

As a back up. Just as he's been handled for his entire 7 year career.

[clutchngrab 12]

I think you should re-read my post after you've taken off your magic rosey red Red Wing glasses. I haven't had a shred of confidence in Osgood all season and I have even less now. Until his speaking of "feeling great" and "heading in the right direction" equate to consistent performances on the ice I sum it up to an extreme case of verbal diarrhea and nothing more. Our defense is not what it could be but its no where near as bad as what folks are making it out to be. The many multiple soft un-timely goals that drain an entire teams efforts should be cause for concern. There is plenty of room for the teams over-all performance to increase, thats for sure, but the biggest and most visible weakness isn't the Defenses laspes but the goaltending deficiencies.

Agreed. And once the real season begins, I fully expect the wings to tighten up considerably as a unit. Unfortunately, I have no reason to expect the goaltender to do the same.

[Outsider 42]

I would agree with the part about the team needing to step up in some cases. However, even Ozzie (or perhaps only Ozzie) ought to acknowledge that he's been a big part of the problem this season. A goalie who lets in poor quality chances at inopportune times in a game becomes a mental issue for even the best teams. I am glad he's not suicidal and looking for a rope, but on the other hand, he needs to play the way he knows how and not dissemble and say he's fine -- so it must be everyone else who sucks??

loo.....

When, during this Season, has Osgood said that he's PLAYING "fine"? That he's happy with his PLAY on the ice? Never. Not once.

He's stated that he FEELS "fine", he FEELS "good", while stating that he's "getting there", he's working hard, he's "going in the right direction".

Those comments would denote that he recognizes and acknowledges the fact that he's not playing the way he knows how, nor the way he needs to be playing, but that he's doing everything in his power to get to that point.

He's given you what you say you want: Acknowledgement that he's not playing as well as he needs to play. But that's not what you, and most other fans who slam him for not going the "I suck. I need to play better." route in the Press...the PRESS, for the love of God.....want.

What YOU, and THEY, seem to want, is a confession from Osgood. An admission of guilt.

Sounds to me like what most fans want....

Is an apology.

Regardless....

What Chris says to the Press, and what he says to himself, and to his Coaches and Teammates, aren't remotely the same.

What good will it do him, or anyone else, to flagellate himself in the Press? They're doing a fine job of it, (not undeservedly, to be fair), without any help from him.

(HUDDLES!!!)

[Guest Shoreline]

I''m drunk, but we all know that this yje goalies are letting in softies... and making the D look bad... facts are facts wether u like it or not dumbass!!!

What facts again? It all sounds like made up BS to me. Calling me a dumbass won't change how stupid your posts sound.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

I would agree with the part about the team needing to step up in some cases. However, even Ozzie (or perhaps only Ozzie) ought to acknowledge that he's been a big part of the problem this season. A goalie who lets in poor quality chances at inopportune times in a game becomes a mental issue for even the best teams. I am glad he's not suicidal and looking for a rope, but on the other hand, he needs to play the way he knows how and not dissemble and say he's fine -- so it must be everyone else who sucks??

Goaltending has been weak - that's a shoe in, really. It's just that I become increasingly less concerned with the goaltending than I am the defense as games go by. Why? Because the Red Wings are built from the defense out. I think it's far more realistic to expect more from the D than the goaltending.. but again, that's just my opinion.

We don't know what's going on with the team because, well, we're not on it. We can only speculate. While Osgood isn't putting up the same numbers as he was last season, how much of that is attributed to lousy defensive play that we didn't have last season? It's hard to say. I'd be interested to see how it'd play out with our defensive unit consistently on top.

[The Noodle 39 14]

Don't know why people are even surprised about Ozzie's play this year cause yes our defense has been very inconsistent all year. Do people think Ozzie is gonna play lights out when teams are getting scoring chances on him? He's Chris Osgood people if the teams plays well he will if the team does not play well he wont. He's a mediocre goalie who is only good with what's in front of him.. we just have to pray our D can do what they did last year in the playoffs and only give Ozzie 10-15 shots to work with.

[Casey 145]

He's Chris Osgood people if the teams plays well he will if the team does not play well he wont. He's a mediocre goalie who is only good with what's in front of him..

People keep saying this. Have you ever looked at his record outside Detroit? I see a season with the Islanders and two with the Blues where he took them to the playoffs as a starter. Are you implying the lowly Blues and Islanders were stacked all of a sudden when Osgood showed up? Could it be that he's better than you give him credit for?

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Don't know why people are even surprised about Ozzie's play this year cause yes our defense has been very inconsistent all year. Do people think Ozzie is gonna play lights out when teams are getting scoring chances on him? He's Chris Osgood people if the teams plays well he will if the team does not play well he wont. He's a mediocre goalie who is only good with what's in front of him.. we just have to pray our D can do what they did last year in the playoffs and only give Ozzie 10-15 shots to work with.

Put any goalie good or bad in front of the Wings defense playing subpar this year, I think it is a good bet that their stats take a turn for the worse. I don't care if it is Luongo, Kipper, Cloutier, Osgood, or Legace. Would the numbers be as bad as Osgood or Conklin? Who knows. But the defense hasn't helped the goaltending cause that much this year. And before people chew my head off, yes I realize Osgood and Conklin haven't done their bit at times this year as well.

[The Secret 304]

People keep saying this. Have you ever looked at his record outside Detroit? I see a season with the Islanders and two with the Blues where he took them to the playoffs as a starter. Are you implying the lowly Blues and Islanders were stacked all of a sudden when Osgood showed up? Could it be that he's better than you give him credit for?

If he really was such a hero in the 2 struggling markets you mentioned then why would the Red Wings have chosen to pursue Hasek and waive Osgood, why would the Islanders trade him, and why would St. Louis let his contract expire? Because he is capable at playing the position well enough but is known for having very rough patches and not being able to carry the load in pressure situations on a consistent basis. That is the story of his entire career and he is showing it again this year.

[superstarsingh 23]

I believe in Ozzie. I trust Ozzie. I know Ozzie will come to play when he needs to.

[VM1138 1,921]

If he really was such a hero in the 2 struggling markets you mentioned then why would the Red Wings have chosen to pursue Hasek and waive Osgood, why would the Islanders trade him, and why would St. Louis let his contract expire? Because he is capable at playing the position well enough but is known for having very rough patches and not being able to carry the load in pressure situations on a consistent basis. That is the story of his entire career and he is showing it again this year.

Because people jumped all over Ozzie like they are doing this year and they decided to pursue Hasek instead. I love Ozzie, but if you have a shot to get the greatest goalie in the league, you do it.

Yes, he has been a little inconsistent over the years, but Ozzie is a quality goalie, one of the best goalies over the past 10 years, believe it or not. The stats show it.

And yes, he was solid for NYI and STL, when they both had absolutely horrible defenses. He's having an off year, the whole team is.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

If he really was such a hero in the 2 struggling markets you mentioned then why would the Red Wings have chosen to pursue Hasek and waive Osgood, why would the Islanders trade him, and why would St. Louis let his contract expire? Because he is capable at playing the position well enough but is known for having very rough patches and not being able to carry the load in pressure situations on a consistent basis. That is the story of his entire career and he is showing it again this year.

What is more pressure than the playoffs? When it actually matters, Ozzie has always played his best hockey. 106 career playoff games, 2.11 GAA and .914 save percentage. Those don't look like numbers of a guy that can't carry the load in pressure situations.

[Spongewingredpants 75]

Good for Ozzie. how nice

[The Noodle 39 14]

What is more pressure than the playoffs? When it actually matters, Ozzie has always played his best hockey. 106 career playoff games, 2.11 GAA and .914 save percentage. Those don't look like numbers of a guy that can't carry the load in pressure situations.

Most of those are as a red wing. Would love to see those playoffs stats as a blue and islander.. maybe there good maybe there bad but i remember him making some real bone head plays and just looking shell shocked while pucks were coming at him lol.

He didn't last long with those two teams i mean he was waived with us we couldnt even trade him lol. Dunno if the Islanders waived him or he was actually traded but i know the Blues just dropped him like a sack of old cabbage.

[The Secret 304]

What is more pressure than the playoffs? When it actually matters, Ozzie has always played his best hockey. 106 career playoff games, 2.11 GAA and .914 save percentage. Those don't look like numbers of a guy that can't carry the load in pressure situations.

I said on a consistent basis or maybe you missed that... he can play well enough but not on a consistent basis. He was on the bench to start last season playoffs, came on in relief and played some of the best hockey of his career only to follow that up with the worst hockey of his career. Ignore it all you want but he is in the midst of doing exactly what he is known for. Which Osgood will show up for the playoffs? After an entire season of terrible hockey I worry... there is no switch to flip folks, there is no line to cross, no magic ritual or chant that will magically make his season long bad habits vanish. I did not see the game last nightbut watched the highlights and both goals that got by him shouldn't have. If he plays like this as a starter in the playoffs it will take near too 100% perfect play in front f him by the entire rest of the team to make up for his untimely softies.

[esteef 2,679]

I said on a consistent basis or maybe you missed that... he can play well enough but not on a consistent basis. He was on the bench to start last season playoffs, came on in relief and played some of the best hockey of his career only to follow that up with the worst hockey of his career. Ignore it all you want but he is in the midst of doing exactly what he is known for. Which Osgood will show up for the playoffs? After an entire season of terrible hockey I worry... there is no switch to flip folks, there is no line to cross, no magic ritual or chant that will magically make his season long bad habits vanish. I did not see the game last nightbut watched the highlights and both goals that got by him shouldn't have. If he plays like this as a starter in the playoffs it will take near too 100% perfect play in front f him by the entire rest of the team to make up for his untimely softies.

Agree. Too bad there are too many other Ozzie threads going on because some people on here need to read this post.

esteef

[hockeytown9321 0]

Since statistics are the only way to accurately gauge how a goalie has played or how he's capable of playing, since Ozzie came back from the 10 day hiatus, his GAA is 2.36 and sv% is .908(roughly, I did it strictly on goals allowed divided by games played) If you take out the Columbus game and its display of ECHL defense, GAA is 1.9, sv% is .927.

[egroen 384]

Since statistics are the only way to accurately gauge how a goalie has played or how he's capable of playing, since Ozzie came back from the 10 day hiatus, his GAA is 2.36 and sv% is .908(roughly, I did it strictly on goals allowed divided by games played) If you take out the Columbus game and its display of ECHL defense, GAA is 1.9, sv% is .927.

Thanks for that! I don't know about anyone else, but it helps make me feel better

[hockeytown9321 0]

Thanks for that! I don't know about anyone else, but it helps make me feel better

No prob. I always like to add a little perspective.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I said on a consistent basis or maybe you missed that... he can play well enough but not on a consistent basis. He was on the bench to start last season playoffs, came on in relief and played some of the best hockey of his career only to follow that up with the worst hockey of his career. Ignore it all you want but he is in the midst of doing exactly what he is known for. Which Osgood will show up for the playoffs? After an entire season of terrible hockey I worry... there is no switch to flip folks, there is no line to cross, no magic ritual or chant that will magically make his season long bad habits vanish. I did not see the game last nightbut watched the highlights and both goals that got by him shouldn't have. If he plays like this as a starter in the playoffs it will take near too 100% perfect play in front f him by the entire rest of the team to make up for his untimely softies.

The Clutterbuck goal was on Ozzie, but there was nothing Ozzie could have done with Gaborik's. I wouldn't call that goal a softie whatsoever. Since you missed the game and only pointed out the negatives on Ozzie, I would also like to throw out that Ozzie had some nice saves in the third period when the game was tied 2-2 and the Red Wings got turnover happy in their own zone. The save on Koivu was huge.

So, yes, Ozzie made a mistake but he more than made up for it in the third period. Need I remind you that the Red Wings other goalie had his share of softies in the last game he started. Ozzie has been getting better lately and the only thing we can all do is hope that it carries over into the playoffs.

[Outsider 42]

If he really was such a hero in the 2 struggling markets you mentioned then why would the Red Wings have chosen to pursue Hasek and waive Osgood,

Hasek pursued the Wings, not the other way around. Historical fact. Osgood was making $3.5M, and had 2 years left on his contract at $3.75M and $4.0M. Legace was making $550K. Not too tough to figure it out....

why would the Islanders trade him,

a

Two words:

Rick DiPietro.

You know.......that guy the Islanders turned into the first goaltender in NHL History ever drafted 1st Overall, and then signed to a record-setting 15 year contract.

Not too difficult to figure that one out, either.

and why would St. Louis let his contract expire?

Two words, again:

Larry Pleau.

Two more words:

Patrick Lalime.

Larry Pleau's comments on choosing to sign Lalime, over re-signing Osgood:

"He's a much bigger goaltender than Chris. He's definitely got size."

Seriously....

Run a Google search on: Larry Pleau goaltender size. See what comes up. Larry Pleau is of the opinion that the ONLY trait a goaltender need possess is SIZE. The bigger, the better. Once JD, (a former goaltender himself), came in, he rather put the kibosh on that attitude as far as Blues goaltending is concerned but, up until that point, take a look at every goaltender the Blues have drafted and signed since the late 90's.

Not that it's done them a fat lot of good, but hey....

Because he is capable at playing the position well enough but is known for having very rough patches and not being able to carry the load in pressure situations on a consistent basis. That is the story of his entire career and he is showing it again this year.

Hmmmm......

Looks more to me like Oz sometimes has an issue keeping his focus in meaningless games, but knows when, where, and how to turn it on in pressure situations.

[hockeytown9321 0]

Two words, again:

Larry Pleau.

Two more words:

Patrick Lalime.

Larry Pleau's comments on choosing to sign Lalime, over re-signing Osgood:

"He's a much bigger goaltender than Chris. He's definitely got size."

Seriously....

Run a Google search on: Larry Pleau goaltender size. See what comes up. Larry Pleau is of the opinion that the ONLY trait a goaltender need possess is SIZE. The bigger, the better. Once JD, (a former goaltender himself), came in, he rather put the kibosh on that attitude as far as Blues goaltending is concerned but, up until that point, take a look at every goaltender the Blues have drafted and signed since the late 90's.

Thanks for pointing that out. I laughed so much when St. Louis chose Lalime over Osgood and then we re-signed Ozzie. Everybody freaks out "OMG! Even St. Louis fired him. Even Lalime is better than him!!!" Did it ever occur to these people to consult St. Louis' long and illustrious history of never winning a hill of crap and thinking perhaps they'd made the wrong decision?

[Outsider 42]

Thanks for pointing that out. I laughed so much when St. Louis chose Lalime over Osgood and then we re-signed Ozzie. Everybody freaks out "OMG! Even St. Louis fired him. Even Lalime is better than him!!!" Did it ever occur to these people to consult St. Louis' long and illustrious history of never winning a hill of crap and thinking perhaps they'd made the wrong decision?

Nah....couldn't be that, could it?