The Chris Osgood discussion thread

[gcom007 1,465]

It's funny that I knew this would be bleacherreport.com right after the first sentence.

Am I the only one who hates bleacherreport.com?

[Vladinator 0]

When was the last time a team deliberately made their starting playoff goaie into a backup in the regular season only to make him starter once the playoffs began?

I don't know if it was the last time it happened, but that is what the wings did in 97...Osgood started far more games in the regular season, but it was Vernon who got the nod for the playoffs...what was the result of that again? The "detrimental" effect on Osgood's progress from that move was really lacking the next year when Osgood was in net for a cup run...

In the playoffs, when you have a proven veteran goalie...you go with him.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Hey! Great! Another Ozzy thread!

[Real1 2]

I just dont know how Ozzie can suck it up in the regular season and turn it on in the playoff's. If Jimmy keeps it up, he gets my vote for the playoff starter.

If he keeps it up and wins the Calder, but doesn't get to play in the playoff's to really prove himself, that's messed up.

[Broken 16 381]

Hey! Great! Another Ozzy thread!

This is a good thing. We have an amazing young goalie in Jimmy Howard who has stunned us all and a multi-Cup winning Chris Osgood mentoring him. Very exciting to be a Wings fan right now.

Of course it's the hot topic.

Edited January 10, 2010 by Broken 16

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Osgood will start in the playoffs, so you all can start your bitching about how Howard deserves it early.

If the playoffs started now, I'd want Osgood. He is the playoff goaltender.

And considering Osgood is playing better now than he did one year ago should say a lot.

[thedisappearer 291]

For the record, it's not BEHIND the pipes, it's BETWEEN the pipes.

[Fifey 3]

The problem with starting Osgood in the playoffs this year is that EVENTUALLY, he'll be gone and then Jimmy or whomever is here at that time will have to be THE guy.

Howard has been with the Black Aces the past two seasons when we made the finals, so he's been around during the playoffs. He's GOING to start in the playoffs eventually. If not this season, the next or the one after that.

I'd rather start him now when he's this hot and see what he can do. If he fails, we can go to Ozzy like we did in 08. If he succeeds, excellent.

Howard is currently EARNING the starter's position, and until he stops playing better than Osgood, and as long as he is stealing games for us, I think he should keep playing, and that doesn't magically stop in the middle of April.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

The problem with starting Osgood in the playoffs this year is that EVENTUALLY, he'll be gone and then Jimmy or whomever is here at that time will have to be THE guy.

Howard has been with the Black Aces the past two seasons when we made the finals, so he's been around during the playoffs. He's GOING to start in the playoffs eventually. If not this season, the next or the one after that.

I'd rather start him now when he's this hot and see what he can do. If he fails, we can go to Ozzy like we did in 08. If he succeeds, excellent.

Howard is currently EARNING the starter's position, and until he stops playing better than Osgood, and as long as he is stealing games for us, I think he should keep playing, and that doesn't magically stop in the middle of April.

I'd rather him start when Osgood can't. Osgood hasn't shown that yet.

(Also hard to stop playing better than a goaltender who doesn't play)

[Dano33 41]

Osgood will start in the playoffs, so you all can start your bitching about how Howard deserves it early.

If the playoffs started now, I'd want Osgood. He is the playoff goaltender.

And considering Osgood is playing better now than he did one year ago should say a lot.

Who's bitching? Howard is playing MUCH better than Osgood right now, why wouldn't he get the playoffs if he keeps it up?

And Osgood is NOT playing better than he did last year, I don't care what the numbers say. He lets in a weak goal, sometimes two, every game. He has no confidence and he isn't making big saves. He's getting old and he won't be able to flip his playoff switch on forever. If Osgood wants to start in the playoffs I think it needs to be made clear to him that the regular season is his playoffs. If he wants to play in the post season, he needs to play like a solid NHL goalie now.

[Rivalred 630]

That sneaky bastard!

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Who's bitching? Howard is playing MUCH better than Osgood right now, why wouldn't he get the playoffs if he keeps it up?

That's the point. He is playing well in January and people are already talking like the playoffs are tomorrow.

And Osgood is NOT playing better than he did last year, I don't care what the numbers say. He lets in a weak goal, sometimes two, every game.

Really? EVERY game? Like against Boston? Or Chicago?

He has no confidence and he isn't making big saves.

He has plenty of confidence and that last point is subjective.

He's getting old and he won't be able to flip his playoff switch on forever. If Osgood wants to start in the playoffs I think it needs to be made clear to him that the regular season is his playoffs. If he wants to play in the post season, he needs to play like a solid NHL goalie now.

I'm sure he isn't playing lackadaisically but he needs to at least get some starts if they want him to prove himself.

[Carman 387]

Osgood is going to need a stretch like he had at the end of the year last year.

Every year is different, that said Osgood should get a couple opportunities towards the end of the year to prove what he can do. I have faith in either goaltender, but Howard will have to be extraordinary or Osgood will have to vastly under-perform for Jimmy to get the nod. If it's fairly even it should be Osgood.

[Donaldjr2448 43]

I don't have a crystal ball, but Babcock said it right after the Kings game that Howie gives us our best chance to win and until something happens to that Howie will be the starter for the Wings. You have to dance with the person you brought to the ball. So far Howie has brought us there. It is just going to depend on who is playing well in April plain and simple.

[Broken 16 381]

Osgood will start in the playoffs, so you all can start your bitching about how Howard deserves it early.

If the playoffs started now, I'd want Osgood. He is the playoff goaltender.

And considering Osgood is playing better now than he did one year ago should say a lot.

Then you sir... are a fool.

That's nothing but pure, Detroit grown Osgood love talking.

Edited January 10, 2010 by Broken 16

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Then you sir... are a fool.

Pardon me for not having complete faith in a goaltender who has not played one minute of NHL playoff hockey over a goaltender who has helped take this team to the SCF two years in a row.

But of course it is the "what have you done for me lately" mentality, and since Howard is doing well and winning games while Osgood is sitting on the bench unable to show whether he can do the same that must mean Howard would do the same thing in the post-season.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

This is a good thing. We have an amazing young goalie in Jimmy Howard who has stunned us all and a multi-Cup winning Chris Osgood mentoring him. Very exciting to be a Wings fan right now.

Of course it's the hot topic.

seems like it could've gone in the existing Ozzy thread since it really isn't a new conversation.

[Broken 16 381]

Pardon me for not having complete faith in a goaltender who has not played one minute of NHL playoff hockey over a goaltender who has helped take this team to the SCF two years in a row.

But of course it is the "what have you done for me lately" mentality, and since Howard is doing well and winning games while Osgood is sitting on the bench unable to show whether he can do the same that must mean Howard would do the same thing in the post-season.

So bench the goalie that has just beaten 3 out of 4 conference rivals (ok, not rivals but they are ahead of us right now), 3 wins against teams ahead of us in the standings, was just cited by the coach as the goalie that gives his team the best chance to win. Is in the top 10 in league stats... for Osgood?

I'm sorry. That's just dumb.

Edited January 10, 2010 by Broken 16

[Broken 16 381]

seems like it could've gone in the existing Ozzy thread since it really isn't a new conversation.

Why do you care?

[zettie85 106]

Pardon me for not having complete faith in a goaltender who has not played one minute of NHL playoff hockey over a goaltender who has helped take this team to the SCF two years in a row.

But of course it is the "what have you done for me lately" mentality, and since Howard is doing well and winning games while Osgood is sitting on the bench unable to show whether he can do the same that must mean Howard would do the same thing in the post-season.

We have entered a new age. Howard looks to be the future. We can't be scared to try him out. Ozzie is the man and we will have him if we need him but Howard needs the experience and what better time to give it to him. If he is still playing this well come playoff time I would play him. If Ozzie really as amazing as we have all seen then he will be able to turn it on if we do need him. If we do get in we will be in the bottom 4 and there won't be to much pressure and I think that's a great place for Jimmy to start.

[Copenhagen848 58]

If the Wings actually make the playoffs (and that's a big "if"), my guess is Howard will get his shot right off the bat, and if he starts to go downhill, Ozzie will take over just like in years past, and do very well.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

So bench the goalie that has just beaten 3 out of 4 conference rivals, 3 wins against teams ahead of us in the standings, was just cited by the coach as the goalie that gives his team the best chance to win. Is in the top 10 in league stats... for Osgood?

I'm sorry. That's just dumb.

Well for starters it is January.

Secondly, it is the regular season.

Third, Osgood hasn't started since the 20th.

There are way too many things that need to happen before Howard seems like a legitimately better goaltender in the playoffs than Osgood. And not all of them have happened yet.

I'm also sure you could find some quotes for Babcock talking about how great Conklin was last year.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Why do you care?

because all these redundant threads push other conversations down off the main page of the site and create more crap to wade through, especially when it comes to Ozzy because the threads tend to beat the same point to death. If there is an existing thread, why not post it in that conversation?

[Dano33 41]

That's the point. He is playing well in January and people are already talking like the playoffs are tomorrow.

Really? EVERY game? Like against Boston? Or Chicago?

He has plenty of confidence and that last point is subjective.

I'm sure he isn't playing lackadaisically but he needs to at least get some starts if they want him to prove himself.

Ok yeah, Osgood had a solid game two months ago, but those solid games are few and far between. If he has confidence he certainly isn't showing it, it seems like every time he gives up a goal he has that "what am i supposed to do about that" look. I agree he needs starts so he can show us if he is going to improve, but we still have to make the playoffs and he can't be costing us too many games.

[Broken 16 381]

because all these redundant threads push other conversations down off the main page of the site and create more crap to wade through, especially when it comes to Ozzy because the threads tend to beat the same point to death. If there is an existing thread, why not post it in that conversation?

In a perfect world, sure. That's never gonna happen. Someone is always gonna start a new thread about a new tid bit or quote. If it bothers you that much I would suggest picking a favorite one and ignoring the rest.