Osgood needs to ramp up his game

[CenterIce 83]

Sounds like deja vu.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=508953

[hooon 1,089]

Yup... we've seen this before. Lets just hope he comes around in the playoffs again.

Howard or Conklin?

[Carman 387]

He sucks. Trade him for Clemmensen, Biron or some picks. Anything, he will never help this team win games again.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

He sucks. Trade him for Clemmensen, Biron or some picks. Anything, he will never help this team win games again.

I agree, except for the 2 consecutive Stanley Cup finals appearances he sucks... oh wait...

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

Yup... we've seen this before. Lets just hope he comes around in the playoffs again.

let's not get ahead of ourselves. at this point, i'm hoping just to make the playoffs.

[droz 5]

He played a good game against the Devils, except for the one goal that went off his stick and in. He made some big saves in that first period, and our defence was horrible (at least for the first half).

[PaulinMiamiBeach 0]

Yup... we've seen this before. Lets just hope he comes around in the playoffs again.

Howard or Conklin?

we need him to come around BEFORE the playoffs. NOW would be a good time. that's the point of the article. the team itself isn't playing well enough that Osgood can slack off like last season. we need him to step it up NOW, or the playoffs won't matter because the Wings won't be playing in them.

[PaulinMiamiBeach 0]

He sucks. Trade him for Clemmensen, Biron or some picks. Anything, he will never help this team win games again.

I'm new to this forum, so maybe some of the other members can answer a question for me. I've noticed in a couple other threads that Carman seems to be either the resident hockey-ignorant dope...or he just likes to stir up trouble (troll). Which is it?

[Doc Holiday 0]

And around and around we go.

If this team doesn't make the playoffs, it won't be because of Osgood.

[Evans_18 4]

So wait... according to Carman Ozzie is to blame for our deficiency in defense this year?

[Doc Holiday 0]

So wait... according to Carman Ozzie is to blame for our deficiency in defense this year?

I think he was being sarcastic.

[RedWingsRox 614]

We've seen this story before. No hurry, he's got another 30 or 40 games before he ramps it up

[Evans_18 4]

I think he is playing fine with what help our team is giving him. Just look at some of those save against the Devils. I dont think there is much to worry about with him.

[mmamolo 287]

I'm new to this forum, so maybe some of the other members can answer a question for me. I've noticed in a couple other threads that Carman seems to be either the resident hockey-ignorant dope...or he just likes to stir up trouble (troll). Which is it?

Sometimes I like to think Carman is just trolling around but most often to not his posts tend to be serious. Or at least if someone comments on them he'll fight them to the bitter end as though they are serious so at the end of the day it really makes no difference. I did, however, notice in a separate thread that he was questioning Osgood and wanted to trade him so maybe it's his actual opinion. Either way, he posts a s*** load of dopey comments.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

haha, the team bailed osgood out so many times during the devils game

[Evans_18 4]

Yea the D did save him 2 times, that one by Stuart was a game saver for sure. but still on the PK Ozzie was coming up big and is starting to look more like the Ozzie we know in the playoffs.

[Outsider 42]

I think he is playing fine with what help our team is giving him. Just look at some of those save against the Devils. I dont think there is much to worry about with him.

Oz is not playing poorly. He let in one questionable goal against Jersey. Other than that, he was fine. He was fine against Calgary, (and was hung out to dry by his team both offensively AND defensively), and he was fine against Nashville.

Again, Chris is not playing poorly. He's just not winning Games. Howard is. And that's all that really matters at this point.

I have full faith in Ozzie. He's proven himself over and over again.

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

Oz is not playing poorly. He let in one questionable goal against Jersey. Other than that, he was fine. He was fine against Calgary, (and was hung out to dry by his team both offensively AND defensively), and he was fine against Nashville.

Again, Chris is not playing poorly. He's just not winning Games. Howard is. And that's all that really matters at this point.

I have full faith in Ozzie. He's proven himself over and over again.

Considering Howard has been hung out to dry by the same poor defense, and he's sporting a respectable .910 SV%, and Osgood's is 39th in the league with .896... it's damn well safe to say he's played like absolute and complete crap... and many of the weak/savable goals he's allowed indicate that as well... the timing of the goals he allows also seem to be particularly debilitating.

Has our defense helped his cause? No. but he's been garbage, and there is nothing to suggest otherwise.

[interminded 1]

First of all, I'm a Ozzie fan.

Not a blind one, mind you.

I certainly know when the man is having a s***ty stretch and is playing like an arse.

So far, not the case.

Surely, the usual suspects are creating motive and opportunity to bash Osgood at every turn, so they don't have to read this.

But Ozzie isn't playing bad.

Anyway: I think Babcock is misjudging the current situation.

This team plays mediocre. Face it. We have a lot of injured players and we lost a lot of good players in the summer.

It will get better, but it will take some time.

Meanwhile this reflects rather poorly on our goaltenders.

Granted, Jimmy Howard has shown some amazing games, but some so-so games as well. Not the point.

Thing is that it's hard to judge a goaltending on this team now.

Babcock however isn't showing good coaching IMO. Osgood is your starter, not Howard. You need Osgood to raise his level, to raise his ego. Not Howard.

A 15-year veteran isn't going to be more motivated by benching him. Let him start. Show the confidence. Even after a lost game. Even after two lost games.

Start him, over and over again.

Edited December 7, 2009 by interminded

[PaulinMiamiBeach 0]

how can people say Osgood isn't playing badly?

2.75 GAA (27th)

.896 save % (40th)

I know GAA is as much a team stat as anything, but save percentage is not. he's got to get that up.

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

First of all, I'm a Ozzie fan.

Not a blind one, mind you.

I certainly know when the man is having a s***ty stretch and is playing like an arse.

So far, not the case.

Surely, the usual suspects are creating motive and opportunity to bash Osgood at every turn, so they don't have to read this.

But Ozzie isn't playing bad.

Anyway: I think Babcock is misjudging the current situation.

This team plays mediocre. Face it. We have a lot of injured players and we lost a lot of good players in the summer.

It will get better, but it will take some time.

Meanwhile this reflects rather poorly on our goaltenders.

Granted, Jimmy Howard has shown some amazing games, but some so-so games as well. Not the point.

Thing is that it's hard to judge a goaltending on this team now.

Babcock however isn't showing good coaching IMO. Osgood is your starter, not Howard. You need Osgood to raise his level, to raise his ego. Not Howard.

A 15-year veteran isn't going to be more motivated by benching him. Let him start. Show the confidence. Even after a lost game. Even after two lost games.

Start him, over and over again.

First off, Osgood has been playing bad. And unless there is some non-existent stat that I am unaware of, there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. Blaming it on the "same ol' crowd of Ozzie H8rZ" is a cop out. He has been just as bad as our defense.. the difference is Howard has been able to make more of those crucial goal-saving saves this year than Osgood has... but both have let in some real softies.

Also, Osgood is 37. Howard is 25. Osgood shouldn't be starting if he can't mentally prepare for games... He's not a new goalie, and, in fact, he has always performed better when fighting another goalie for his spot as the #1. Starting an old goalie "over and over again" despite the outcome, despite no sign that those starts will make a difference, is asinine. Not to mention, the guy's only really had one super regular season since resigning with us in 05, so there is little to suggest he is mentally prepared to handle the load... Also, the year he had his heaviest workload since resigning (last year), was also his worst year as an NHL player EVER... So, where you've found a magical correlation between games started and good goaltending is beyond me... Not to mention, Ozzy didn't start playing any better until he was given a "mental vacation" last year.... So maybe, if anything, Osgood needs to play less until he can prove he's a capable goaltender.

Not to mention, your "plan" lacks any and all foresight (37 years olds occasionally get longterm injuries ya' know). Howard needs the time to develop, needs the time to adjust to the faster pace, the better players... Howard needs to be evaluated early on so we can make a judgment call as to whether or not this guy is capable of being our #2, or if we conversely need to find a more suitable backup, unless you'd rather mortgage the future on a guy who should be enough of a veteran to play out of a funk with the time he's given. There's a reason the Wings have been connected to every single goaltending rumor this season.

[Outsider 42]

how can people say Osgood isn't playing badly?

By actually watching the Games, rather than the Stat lines.

Look.....

When Ozzie got sick with the flu, Howard was posting WORSE numbers than Osgood. He got a few Starts in while Oz was sick, and improved his numbers. He's gotten 10 starts of the past 14.

Osgood has had four Starts, and NO occasions where he's played two Games in a row.

Howard was playing WORSE than Osgood, UNTIL he got the chance to get in there a few Games in a row and actually get settled in.

Once again, Osgood hasn't had that opportunity.

[interminded 1]

First off, Osgood has been playing bad. And unless there is some non-existent stat that I am unaware of, there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. Blaming it on the "same ol' crowd of Ozzie H8rZ" is a cop out. He has been just as bad as our defense.. the difference is Howard has been able to make more of those crucial goal-saving saves this year than Osgood has... but both have let in some real softies.

Also, Osgood is 37. Howard is 25. Osgood shouldn't be starting if he can't mentally prepare for games... He's not a new goalie, and, in fact, he has always performed better when fighting another goalie for his spot as the #1. Starting an old goalie "over and over again" despite the outcome, despite no sign that those starts will make a difference, is asinine. Not to mention, the guy's only really had one super regular season since resigning with us in 05, so there is little to suggest he is mentally prepared to handle the load... Also, the year he had his heaviest workload since resigning (last year), was also his worst year as an NHL player EVER... So, where you've found a magical correlation between games started and good goaltending is beyond me... Not to mention, Ozzy didn't start playing any better until he was given a "mental vacation" last year.... So maybe, if anything, Osgood needs to play less until he can prove he's a capable goaltender.

Not to mention, your "plan" lacks any and all foresight (37 years olds occasionally get longterm injuries ya' know). Howard needs the time to develop, needs the time to adjust to the faster pace, the better players... Howard needs to be evaluated early on so we can make a judgment call as to whether or not this guy is capable of being our #2, or if we conversely need to find a more suitable backup, unless you'd rather mortgage the future on a guy who should be enough of a veteran to play out of a funk with the time he's given. There's a reason the Wings have been connected to every single goaltending rumor this season.

Sir, you are kidding me right ?

Chris Osgood has to prove he's a capable goaltending ?

You have been watching the playoffs these last two season right ?

Yes, again with the playoffs.

I'm not saying Jimmy Howard shouldn't be given the time to develop, but imo Babcock has two make the best of out of two situations, not just one.

[Kwame_Kilpatrick 0]

he always lets goals in between the legs

[Guest zackmorris]

We should just ban all Ozzie threads in general. All they ever turn into is blind Ozzie lovers vs everyone else. Just that they automatically tag everyone else as Ozzie haters when it isn't necessarily true. Some are, some aren't.

He's not playing good. He can make huge saves and then let in a stinker. Well newsflash, that big save doesn't make him immune to a certain expectation we Wings fans have. All it does, is make him no better than most blah goalies who did the same thing. I'm not taking his past in account, it's irrelevant and only brought up as a crutch to aid the Ozzie lovers. I'm not bringing his past two Cup appearances into account, because that has no bearing on this season and doesn't mean he'll do it again. He's almost 40 for crying out loud, at some point he's going to keep on playing bad into the postseason.

Some people just have obvious blinders on for the guy and aren't realistic. It's just that they attack anyone who crosses them in such huge numbers no one can fight back. His game sucks right now, and I'm not the typical overly critical type. But he needs to wake up. We can only blame it on everyone else for so long before we realize that it's him. Not the team, not Howard, not Conklin, but HIM. He has cost us games, period.