how about khabibulin?

[danijel 0]

he's a UFA after this season, and has won a cup. if he's willing to sign for little money, i'd take him over the current dynamic duo, and keep ozzie as a back-up.

problem is he's making 6.75 currently so he'll probably want at least 3 next year, which the wings can't afford.

any thoughts?

[Guest Crymson]

No thanks. He isn't a very good goalie.

Edited April 4, 2009 by Crymson

[zaxx 0]

No thanks.

I want the Wings to bring in a goalie from our own development system. Show the other teams why our draft picks are number one over and over again.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I don't think it would be much of an improvement, especially for an extra 2M against an already tight cap

[Carman 387]

Well the question is when is Larrson/Howard be ready. I think if anything we need a good veteran stop gap if this post season doesn't go as planned with the Conklin/Osgood deal. If we do well in the playoffs Conference Finals~ and lose, but not about the goaltending it will be Conklin-Osgood(Whichever played better)/Howard most likely. But if the duo burns to dust in the playoffs both will be gone and some moves will be made for a veteran goalie/Howard. Just my opinion.

[syntax 359]

Well the question is when is Larrson/Howard be ready. I think if anything we need a good veteran stop gap if this post season doesn't go as planned with the Conklin/Osgood deal. If we do well in the playoffs Conference Finals~ and lose, but not about the goaltending it will be Conklin-Osgood(Whichever played better)/Howard most likely. But if the duo burns to dust in the playoffs both will be gone and some moves will be made for a veteran goalie/Howard. Just my opinion.

I believe Howard's last year of AHL eligibility is this year. I expected the Wings to just let him go at the end of this year, as it seems the Wings brass is far from impressed with him. As am I.

But with our current 'goalie problems' I'm not sure what will happen. I'm VERY interested to see how Larsson plays in the first 1/4 of the season with the Griffins next year. If he plays well, I'd expect him to supplant Howard on the team, as Howard has been the definition of inconsistency.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

he's a UFA after this season, and has won a cup. if he's willing to sign for little money, i'd take him over the current dynamic duo, and keep ozzie as a back-up.

problem is he's making 6.75 currently so he'll probably want at least 3 next year, which the wings can't afford.

any thoughts?

Years/years ago? Perhaps. Now, not so much. His best years are behind him I think and you basically answered why the Wings wouldn't get him in your last sentence.

[Probie 7]

If we look at the UFA goalies here:

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=596214

these guys could work:

Manny Fernandez G BOS $4,750,000

Dwayne Roloson G EDM $3,000,000

Craig Anderson G FLA $575,000

Scott Clemmensen G NJ $500,000

Not saying we can get them, or at that salary,but they could provide a 1 year plug till Maybe Loungo is a free agent or Howard/Larson/McCollum is ready a year from now(Mccollum will prob need more time then a year).

Roly might have 1 year left in him, and might sign for 3mill, maybe fernandez ditto, not sure hed get the same dollar figure he made this year though probably less, say close to 3 mill. I'm not sold on Anderson and Clemmenson(even less). I'd try to lock up Roly or manny for a year if possible, let them sip the cool aid, and tell them stories of the stanley cup, and offer them a one year deal hehe

[TheWestWing 71]

Actually I'd like to try 'my' lot with Clemmenson, tho watching Weeks tonite not sure NJ will part. He may just be finding his mark (may not). Played 40 games last year with the Marlies and another 40 this year with the big club. Identical win % @ .625. At 31YO, could be a nice stopgap for a year or two.

I have no other alternatives at this time Kenny, but I'll keep looking. Buli may take CHI past the first or second round, but his best days are behind him, so to speak.

[kylee 727]

the bulin wall has been a little less than his namesake the last several seasons.... and he's overpaid.

nooo thanks.

plus the Wings need to figure things out with Howard, and they just recently drafted a goalie.

[interminded 1]

Huet is a better goalie.

And cheaper.

[elriqo28 2]

he's a UFA after this season, and has won a cup. if he's willing to sign for little money, i'd take him over the current dynamic duo, and keep ozzie as a back-up.

problem is he's making 6.75 currently so he'll probably want at least 3 next year, which the wings can't afford.

any thoughts?

maybe 7 years ago...no point now in getting an overpaid veteran goalie who is prone to injury. I like him though on my Fantasy team, he has got me a lot of points this year.

[elriqo28 2]

these guys could work:

Manny Fernandez G BOS $4,750,000

Dwayne Roloson G EDM $3,000,000

Craig Anderson G FLA $575,000

Scott Clemmensen G NJ $500,000

I like the idea of Manny, but we can't afford him. Craig Anderson would be a good option as another 1A,1B with Ozzie. Definitely he would compete with Ozzie for the number 1 job. Clemmensen would be nice, but he is too young to just say he is going to make it. Too many goalies have one good year and then its over. Anderson has put up decent numbers as a back up for a few years at least. Who knows, it will be the cheapest option most likely.

[Mike 0]

If we look at the UFA goalies here:

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=596214

these guys could work:

Manny Fernandez G BOS $4,750,000

Dwayne Roloson G EDM $3,000,000

Craig Anderson G FLA $575,000

Scott Clemmensen G NJ $500,000

Not saying we can get them, or at that salary,but they could provide a 1 year plug till Maybe Loungo is a free agent or Howard/Larson/McCollum is ready a year from now(Mccollum will prob need more time then a year).

Roly might have 1 year left in him, and might sign for 3mill, maybe fernandez ditto, not sure hed get the same dollar figure he made this year though probably less, say close to 3 mill. I'm not sold on Anderson and Clemmenson(even less). I'd try to lock up Roly or manny for a year if possible, let them sip the cool aid, and tell them stories of the stanley cup, and offer them a one year deal hehe

I like Roloson, but he is a bit too inconsistent. Manny will be out of the Wings' price range and the other two are still finding themselves in the NHL. Goalie is always a tough position to fill. You never know if you will end up with the next Brodeur or the next Legace.

[T-Ruff 47]

Huet is a better goalie.

Khabibulin: 22-8-6, 2.46 GAA, .916% 1 SO

Christobal: 19-15-4, 2.54 GAA, .906% 3 SO

Khabibulin has easily been the better and more consistent goalie...

[Carman 387]

It really won't matter whose in net, in two years we could have Luongo and some the fans would swing into a fit about bringing McCollum after a few rough patches for Luongo(Which will happen and does happen to ever freaking goalie in history).

[Guest Shoreline]

It really won't matter whose in net, in two years we could have Luongo and some the fans would swing into a fit about bringing McCollum after a few rough patches for Luongo(Which will happen and does happen to ever freaking goalie in history).

May be a rarity, but I agree entirely here.

[Dimaline312000 51]

I don't see Khabibulin coming here. I could be wrong I just don't think he would fit into our system. Sounds to me like the Wings main focus is going to be signing Hossa and Franzen so I'd say the Wings will probably do the easiest thing with their goaltending situation. I'm not saying I know what that is but I don't think we will get a free agent goalie like him. I'd rather see us get Lehtonen or another low level goalie for next season. Just depends on what they want to do and who they can count on being solid in goal. I'd like to see Howard come up but most people don't think he's ready to be the Wings goalie yet.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Khabibulin has not been bad this season. He was the Hawks MVP for a stretch of games there, more than we can say for either of our goaltenders. At all.

At any rate, we'll probably end up with Ozzie/Howard next season, and then loathe the fact that itll cost us out the ass to trade for one during the season.

[Outsider 42]

It really won't matter whose in net, in two years we could have Luongo and some the fans would swing into a fit about bringing McCollum after a few rough patches for Luongo(Which will happen and does happen to ever freaking goalie in history).

Probably one of the most insightful posts recently seen here.

Which is why the constant hand-wringing and whining about "Why can't we draft an elite goalie?" Where's OUR Franchise goaltender?" is so very, very funny.

Any chance of that happening, EVER, is almost immediately squashed by the unrealistic expectations and the monumental pressure placed on any, and EVERY, goaltender to attempt to man the pipes in Detroit. The fans and media hammer, yammer, batter, bash, rip, shred, overanalyze, and overwhelm until there's little more than a quivering mass of Red & White clad jelly slowly melting into a puddle in the blue paint. And then wonder, (loudly and indignantly, no less), "what happened?".

Must be nice to go to work every day, and have thousands of "experts", "experts" who have never actually DONE your job, but who have watched other people do jobs similar to your job...ON TV.....standing immediately behind your chair stating:

"You're doing it wrong."

"You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong."

"You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong.""You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong."

"You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong.""You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong."

"You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong.""You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong."

"You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong.""You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong."

"You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong.""You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong."

"You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong.""You're doing it wrong. You're doing it wrong."

....All day, EVERY DAY, until the black cloud of negativity surrounding you is enough to weigh Atlas down.

One of the funniest things I've heard, and I've heard it REPEATEDLY from Wings fans....for YEARS:

"Our goaltenders are not expected to STEAL Games. So when the Team has an off night....I expect our goaltender to step up and STEAL a Game, for once."

The next time anyone wants to cry about the Wings inability/failure to draft an "elite" goaltender, look squarely into the mirror for at least part of the explanation as to "why" it hasn't happened. (Or, at least, not to YOUR satisfaction.)

Ah....but then there's this, eh?:

"BS....these are professional athletes! They are above this. They should be able to handle the pressure."

These are not "goaltenders", born and bred, emotionless machines we're talking about, the end-all, be-all of their very existence nothing more than to stop pucks, and to go into stasis between final buzzer and opening face-off.

They're human beings. They eat, sleep, sh!t, and put their pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us.

Imagine that.....

[55fan 5,133]

Outsider has the quote of the year:

Any chance of that happening, EVER, is almost immediately squashed by the unrealistic expectations and the monumental pressure placed on any, and EVERY, goaltender to attempt to man the pipes in Detroit. The fans and media hammer, yammer, batter, bash, rip, shred, overanalyze, and overwhelm until there's little more than a quivering mass of Red & White clad jelly slowly melting into a puddle in the blue paint. And then wonder, (loudly and indignantly, no less), "what happened?".

I honestly don't see us getting a goalie for over $2 mil. If we could turn back the clock and get the Khabi of years gone by, we'd just turn back the clock and get the Hasek or Sawchuck of years gone by.

I think that given how things were at the start of the season, going with Oz and Conk was the best choice.

I don't think we'll be able to make a really good, accurate call until after the season is done. If Oz comes through for us, we may just go with Oz/J-Ho for a year and see how it goes. If Oz fails, and Conk comes through, we may see Conk back. If both fail, we're in deep doodoo. Then looking outside the team will look like a great idea.

After last year's Cup, it would have been foolish to replace Ozzie. Fortunately, we get to see how this season plays out before Kenny has to make a decision.

[danijel 0]

...Sounds to me like the Wings main focus is going to be signing Hossa and Franzen so I'd say the Wings will probably do the easiest thing with their goaltending situation. I'm not saying I know what that is but I don't think we will get a free agent goalie like him. I'd rather see us get Lehtonen or another low level goalie for next season. Just depends on what they want to do and who they can count on being solid in goal. I'd like to see Howard come up but most people don't think he's ready to be the Wings goalie yet.

i think the management's focus might shift from franzen+hossa to franzen+goalie if playoff failure this spring is largely a result of unreliable goaltending. the way i see it is the wings without hossa last season won the cup with reliable goaltending from ozzie. if we don't get reliable goaltending this playoff from ozzie/conklin then bringing hossa back for another season at the expense of goaltending seems like a setup for another playoff failure.

[Probie 7]

I like the idea of Manny, but we can't afford him. Craig Anderson would be a good option as another 1A,1B with Ozzie. Definitely he would compete with Ozzie for the number 1 job. Clemmensen would be nice, but he is too young to just say he is going to make it. Too many goalies have one good year and then its over. Anderson has put up decent numbers as a back up for a few years at least. Who knows, it will be the cheapest option most likely.

I like Roloson, but he is a bit too inconsistent. Manny will be out of the Wings' price range and the other two are still finding themselves in the NHL. Goalie is always a tough position to fill. You never know if you will end up with the next Brodeur or the next Legace.

Hey Boys, in posting that, i was assuming a rosterplayer was moved if we had to in order to sign some of the goalies mentioned. I didnt think Manny would be able to get a salary this year equal to last years pay, which was close 4.75M, I figured he might get in the threes or so as far as offers, and MIGHT take a pay cut to sign here. Just a thought.

In looking at my figures, if they are right.... if Hossa walks we might have enough left over. After crunching the numbers now with what i expect each player to get, even without signing hossa (and only keeping howard as a goalie for backup, we have a payroll of 56.01M, and if the cap(56.7) goes up 2mill this year(to 58.7) like its been said, then we have 2.6M to spend, without moving any roster players. Would Roly take a little paycut? Manny? I dont know. I know "Mike" quoted above said Roly is too inconsistent, but hes still an improvement.

WHy not go after Anderson for a year, what would he command on the market? Probably 2.6 or less like we have to spend, I mean he wasnt making that much this year right only 575K? If I were detroit I would do it. If you can sign him for less, great it gives us some wiggle room during the regular season. I think we need goaltending that is a tad more talented and dependable/consistent and sacrificing a few million is quite accpetable to improve our weakest link (yeah i know defense needs to tighten up lots too). Just a thought.

[frederick9125 0]

# Goalie GP MINS- W - L -SOL-SO -GA -GAA- Svs - SV%

33 Jimmy Howard 43 - 2526 -20 -17 -4 - 3 -109- 2.59- 1154- 0.914

31 Daniel Larsson 40 - 2152 -22 -12 -2 - 5 -99 - 2.76- 964 - 0.907

Why not give larsson a shot