irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 Ok bare with me here, its only a month or so until training camp starts and I had a thought today about a situation that isn't too likely too happen but is a possibility. Lets say Osgood somehow gets injured around november-december and J-Ho steps in and wins 35-40 games, he just plays amazing. Then Osgood comes back with about 15 games left in the season and they let him play about 9-10 of them and he appears to have picked up right where he left off. Now here is the question, who do you think would start in the playoffs? Sorry for this thread if it pisses you off, I think we all know how finicky some posters here can be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soultrain 43 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 remember 2 seasons ago how great ty conklin played for the pens when fleury went down...with how great ozzy has been in the playoffs the only way they would let jimmy start is if ozzy was playing at 60% Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEVILSWATERBOY 10 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 Start Howard and if he falters bring in Ozzie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 neither will be playing because mccollum will do his best steve mason impression this season when ozzie/horward sucks or gets injured. Then when they playoffs come around he will morph into cam ward and you know the rest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEVILSWATERBOY 10 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 neither will be playing because mccollum will do his best steve mason impression this season when ozzie/horward sucks or gets injured. Then when they playoffs come around he will morph into cam ward and you know the rest I forgot about the other net minders, because we don't hear to much on them although I did hear that McCollum is pretty damm good Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 Osgood will be starter until he retires or blatantly signs an extension as a backup. There are no more questions after this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chunkylover 26 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 Osgood will be starter until he retires or blatantly signs an extension as a backup. There are no more questions after this season. Yeah, there really is no question about his ability to perform in the playoffs. I really believe him when he says he won't struggle with focus this season. Howard needs to be on the bench to get a taste of the intensity and sacrifice of the post-season before he deserves a shot as the starter. How much longer can Larsson and McCollum stay in the minors? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 (edited) Yeah, there really is no question about his ability to perform in the playoffs. I really believe him when he says he won't struggle with focus this season. Howard needs to be on the bench to get a taste of the intensity and sacrifice of the post-season before he deserves a shot as the starter. How much longer can Larsson and McCollum stay in the minors? McCollum? a while. He's only 20 and they won't rush him I don't think. He seems to be the one with the most promise but ya know how that goes. Larson I don't think will be down there too much longer. Howard will get his chance this year and they'll see how that goes. As for Ozzie, I don't think Ozzie has as bad of a season as he did last year. He knows he wasn't ready and I think that's the key. But the D also needs to play better. They have up way too many quality chances. how many games did they blow leads and how many games did they have to win 5-4 or 6-4 and it wasn't all the goalies cause Conklin had a decent season and there were games he was left out to dry. As for the OP's question Ozzie would probably start but be on a short leash if Howard does have a GREAT season. Ozzie has 29 playoff wins in 2 years how do you not go with him unless he just isn't ready physically? They've seen a goalie have a good regular season and fall real quick in the playoffs, Manny I'm looking at you, I don't see them lettin that happen with Ozzie here. Edited July 22, 2009 by StevieY9802 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chunkylover 26 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 McCollum? a while. He's only 20 and they won't rush him I don't think. Larson I don't think will be down there too much longer. Howard will get his chance this year and they'll see how that goes. As for Ozzie, I don't think Ozzie has as bad of a season as he did last year. He knows he wasn't ready and I think that's the key. But the D also needs to play better. They have up way too many quality chances. how many games did they blow leads and how many games did they have to win 5-4 or 6-4 and it wasn't all the goalies cause Conklin had a decent season and there were games he was left out to dry. As for the OP's question Ozzie would probably start but be on a short leash if Howard does have a GREAT season. Ozzie has 29 playoff wins in 2 years how do you not go with him unless he just isn't ready physically? They've seen a goalie have a good regular season and fall real quick in the playoffs, Manny I'm looking at you, I don't see them lettin that happen with Ozzie here. I wonder how much Osgood's lack of focus and maybe a Stanley Cup hangover affected the team defense, i.e. the team had no confidence in Osgood and pressed too much and actually got sloppy in their attempts to cover for his deficiency, similar to what happened with Legace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snazzy 0 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 (edited) Play Osgood and trade Howard. His trade value will be good next year. Hypothetically speaking, of course/ Edited July 22, 2009 by Snazzy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 I wonder how much Osgood's lack of focus and maybe a Stanley Cup hangover affected the team defense, i.e. the team had no confidence in Osgood and pressed too much and actually got sloppy in their attempts to cover for his deficiency, similar to what happened with Legace. Oh I'm with you 100%. This team never really engaged, to use Babcock's word, through most of the regular season. It was like "we know this isn't when it counts" kinda thing. They would have games like against the Sharks early in the year smacking them 6-0 and then the first game against the Pens where they blew a 5-2 lead with like 15 minutes to go to lose 7-6. I sure hope they don't let that happen again. It wasn't fun to watch. Sounds weird coming off a season where they finished 3rd in the league but I like when they play good d. They played much better, as did Ozzie in the playoffs but their PK still needs a lot of work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 5,152 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 J-Ho? 35-40 wins? Hypothetical is right, if Osgood get injured, there is no way Howard wins 35-40 games. Loses maybe. Bottom line, Howard = Crap, so if Osgood goes down, you better hope there is a playoff goalie available at the deadline, if not, we're doomed. Red Wings - Osgood + Howard = No playoffs or First round defeat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stormboy 47 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 J-Ho? 35-40 wins? Hypothetical is right, if Osgood get injured, there is no way Howard wins 35-40 games. Loses maybe. Bottom line, Howard = Crap, so if Osgood goes down, you better hope there is a playoff goalie available at the deadline, if not, we're doomed. Red Wings - Osgood + Howard = No playoffs or First round defeat. unfortunately, i think you're right. it remains a possibility that howard will impress this season, but that seems like a pretty distant possibility at this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pucks 66 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 J-Ho? 35-40 wins? Hypothetical is right, if Osgood get injured, there is no way Howard wins 35-40 games. Loses maybe. Bottom line, Howard = Crap, so if Osgood goes down, you better hope there is a playoff goalie available at the deadline, if not, we're doomed. Red Wings - Osgood + Howard = No playoffs or First round defeat. In a word "Sillyness". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted July 22, 2009 Well, Jimmy Howard is either going to be good or gone, it isn't hard for a team like Detroit find a suitable back-up if he doesn't pan out. As for your situation it's going to be Ozzy unless the injury is really serious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pucks 66 Report post Posted July 23, 2009 Osgood had a a .887 save percentage and still managed to win 26 games and lose 17. I believe that was second worst in the league. I think it's fair to believe that Howard could manage a similar save percentage at least for next season. 20-25 wins seems probable for Jimmy IMO. Obviously were not going to have the same goal support as last season, but the player in the net isn't going to be the determining factor in our record. It seems we could tie up one of my old hockey jerseys across the pipes and get into the post season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 23, 2009 Yeah, there really is no question about his ability to perform in the playoffs. I really believe him when he says he won't struggle with focus this season. Howard needs to be on the bench to get a taste of the intensity and sacrifice of the post-season before he deserves a shot as the starter. How much longer can Larsson and McCollum stay in the minors? Until they're ready. The dumbest thing you can do with a goaltender is rush them into the NHL. Doesn't matter how talented they are, it's a bad move. Ask Price. McCollum hasn't played a single pro hockey game. Not one. He's still got lots of time to put in. Larsson was a pro rookie last year. Still lots of time to put in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFX 48 Report post Posted July 23, 2009 Put both goaltenders and one knife into the pit of death. Whoever survives gets to start. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Winged_Wheeler 3 Report post Posted July 23, 2009 Lets have some confidence in Jimmy Howard, he's going to be our backup this upcoming season, get over it. Let him play some games and adjust and become accustomed to the NHL more. I think we're all being too harsh on him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankanator 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2009 If Howard was going to be a "Good one" he would have been in the league already. The Wings are giving him the backup position out of loyalty and if he can't hack it he'll be replaced at the deadline. If he doesn't impress I honestly think they'll make a move for Giguere or Hiller next season. Theres no indication that Howard is the next Ryan Miller and hypothetically, if he is, he'll be a UFA before you know it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted July 23, 2009 (edited) Osgood would start if he was back, healthy, and winning. If Howard had a great time when Oz was out, this would be good for the team going into the post-season because it's always comfortable to have confidence in your back-up. This is, of course, assuming that Stan Bowman doesn't come to Detroit for a visit the night before the trade deadline, slip Kenny a mickey, and sign a trade of Osgood/Howard/McCollum/Zetterberg for Kopecky/Huet/Campbell, in which case Lilja would be the extra d-man and would fill in as goalie. I think he would acquit himself admirably. Edited July 23, 2009 by 55fan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmamolo 287 Report post Posted July 23, 2009 In this situation there is zero doubt that Osgood would start the playoffs. It's the same sort of scenario that Osgood-Hasek were in. Hasek started but was on a leash. When he faltered Osgood came in and took over. Same deal would apply here. It's a lot to ask of a rookie goaltender to come in and play well in the playoffs for a contender like the Wings, regardless of how well you've done in the regular season. He needs to be eased into that scenario. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
