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The Chris Osgood discussion thread

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After reading the whole article, it doesn't sound un-Ozzie-like to me.

He wants to play, but he also wants what's best for the team. He gives kudos to Howard, but says that he's ready to go.

That's the Ozzie I know and love. I'm also loving Howard.

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I agree, we've seen this before. And if Ozzy didn't play in the playoffs, the team would've been better off with him. This year may be an exception provided Howard continues to play like this. The guy seems like a goaltender on a mission. Ozzy, for better or worse needs to realize at 37 it's time to play the role of pappa bear a little.

That said, I had a dream last night he was traded to a cup contender. Then I get up have some coffee and read this. wow..

That's weird, I had a dream last night that we traded Howard and Flip to Montreal for Price, and Cammalleri.

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I love Ozzie he is a great goalie and I have always supported him. I will admit that i've had doubts sometimes but I've always been a fan of his even during the time he wasn't a Wing. With his age and the way the league is starting to lean towards youth he is just going to have to be as paitent as he can and when he does get a chance to play he has to make the most of it. Jimmy is doing great right now for the way the Wings are playing. I understand that it gets frustrating at time just sitting on the bench watching. You have to go with your best players and right now Jimmy is doing better than Ozzie and he's in the net. I support Ozzie and I hope he does get some playing time soon but it's about team success and whoever can provide that is the one that needs to be playing.

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Howard has also had some bad games.

Osgood generally speaking has played well this year, especially considering the fact that when he was getting the majority of the starts, the team in front of him was as bad a team as we've seen in awhile. October was ugly as hell and even in games we lost, Osgood played great. Too many people forget how strong he was in some of the early losses where the defense was utterly non-existent.

I'll tell you, at first I didn't like this for Howard. I thought all these starts could lead to issues for him down the line, and I still believe that potential exists. But I figured Osgood would be fine. But at this point, it appears that is not the case.

And you know, I don't blame him at all.

He has not played bad this year. There is absolutely NO COMPARISON WHATSOEVER to his play last year during the regular season. Go look up his starts game by game and compare them. There's NO COMPARISON. Sure, Howard's been playing real well, but he is the rookie and Osgood is coming off his second Conn Smythe-caliber post-season and so far as this season has gone, Osgood has done absolutely nothing to warrant being relegated to backup goalie.

Once again, I've gotta say that I think Babcock's a great coach, but his number one weakness year after year is goalie management. You'd think by now he'd have learned a thing or two more than it seems he has, but his foresight on goaltending matters is profoundly lacking. He's also quite inconsistent with the situation this year as Osgood has come back and had solid games and despite that, Howard has gotten the next 3, 4 or 5 starts.

I can't sit here and disagree with Osgood. He's right. He hasn't played bad, but he's not getting any chance at all to get anything going. Last year Osgood had something to prove because he knew he had a terrible regular season. He had that fire. This year, when he's played fairly well for the most part, it's gotta be nothing short of tremendously frustrating to be getting even fewer chances than last year.

I don't want a goalie with that kind of frustration leading the charge heading into the playoffs.

And you've got to be totally insane to think it's a smart idea to go to Howard no matter how well he plays down the stretch.

I don't like where this is headed for either goalie right now. Babcock needs to restore some balance. That's the bottom line. Osgood doesn't need to be frustrated and Howard doesn't need the opportunity to fall into a slump in his rookie season.

Balance.

^For the sake of the team; for the benefit of both goalies, this has to start happening soon.^

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After reading the whole article, it doesn't sound un-Ozzie-like to me.

He wants to play, but he also wants what's best for the team. He gives kudos to Howard, but says that he's ready to go.

That's the Ozzie I know and love. I'm also loving Howard.

Exactly. The headline makes it sound so much worse than it is.

"Howie has been playing great, so sometimes you have to go with the program," Osgood said. "It gets frustrating at times, but you have to do it."

"You always want to play and compete and be a big part of what happens. That's what has kept me in the league so long. I am just not content to sit there and do nothing."

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he's a competitor and hasnt resigned himself to backup goalie status. this is a good thing. 2 goalies battling for playing time will bring out the best in both.

Surprised Harold did not quote you and give kudos for the proper use of that word.

In my eyes, Osgood has never been able to carry a team all by himself throughout an entire year (regular season and playoffs). In 2008, Hasek played a big role in the regular season. Last year Conkin played a big role in the regular season. And in previous years when Vernon was here.

Maybe this is a bit different situation due to Howard being a rookie, younger, inexperienced, or etc. Just a thought.

Edited by Rivalred

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Howard has also had some bad games.

Osgood generally speaking has played well this year, especially considering the fact that when he was getting the majority of the starts, the team in front of him was as bad a team as we've seen in awhile. October was ugly as hell and even in games we lost, Osgood played great. Too many people forget how strong he was in some of the early losses where the defense was utterly non-existent.

I'll tell you, at first I didn't like this for Howard. I thought all these starts could lead to issues for him down the line, and I still believe that potential exists. But I figured Osgood would be fine. But at this point, it appears that is not the case.

And you know, I don't blame him at all.

He has not played bad this year. There is absolutely NO COMPARISON WHATSOEVER to his play last year during the regular season. Go look up his starts game by game and compare them. There's NO COMPARISON. Sure, Howard's been playing real well, but he is the rookie and Osgood is coming off his second Conn Smythe-caliber post-season and so far as this season has gone, Osgood has done absolutely nothing to warrant being relegated to backup goalie.

Once again, I've gotta say that I think Babcock's a great coach, but his number one weakness year after year is goalie management. You'd think by now he'd have learned a thing or two more than it seems he has, but his foresight on goaltending matters is profoundly lacking. He's also quite inconsistent with the situation this year as Osgood has come back and had solid games and despite that, Howard has gotten the next 3, 4 or 5 starts.

I can't sit here and disagree with Osgood. He's right. He hasn't played bad, but he's not getting any chance at all to get anything going. Last year Osgood had something to prove because he knew he had a terrible regular season. He had that fire. This year, when he's played fairly well for the most part, it's gotta be nothing short of tremendously frustrating to be getting even fewer chances than last year.

I don't want a goalie with that kind of frustration leading the charge heading into the playoffs.

And you've got to be totally insane to think it's a smart idea to go to Howard no matter how well he plays down the stretch.

I don't like where this is headed for either goalie right now. Babcock needs to restore some balance. That's the bottom line. Osgood doesn't need to be frustrated and Howard doesn't need the opportunity to fall into a slump in his rookie season.

Balance.

I would have to disagree there. He has let in some bad goals way more then Howard IMO. Almost every other goal that Ozzie gives up there are comments that go along with it to the tune of "He would like to have that one back." As far as getting something going this should not be an issue with Ozzie at this point of his career with half the season played. A few games in Oct fine but in December he should be playing a lot better.

Also as you pointed out with the way the team has been playing earlier we needed a hot goalie more then ever. When Ozzie went down with the flu Howard had an opportunity and seized it. Nothing wrong in that.

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The Wings don't have the luxury of giving Ozzie a few games to "find his groove." J-Ho is already in his groove and until he slumps or Ozzie proves he is capable with the few games he is given, he can take the backseat. Starter was Ozzies to lose at the start of the season and as far as I'm concerned, he lost it.

Its a great concept: reward players who are playing good with more ice time.

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I would have to disagree there. He has let in some bad goals way more then Howard IMO. Almost every other goal that Ozzie gives up there are comments that go along with it to the tune of "He would like to have that one back." As far as getting something going this should not be an issue with Ozzie at this point of his career with half the season played. A few games in Oct fine but in December he should be playing a lot better.

Also as you pointed out with the way the team has been playing earlier we needed a hot goalie more then ever. When Ozzie went down with the flu Howard had an opportunity and seized it. Nothing wrong in that.

Osgood was the only reason we didn't get blown out more often than not in October. There were many games where the team let Osgood down in a huge way. The Phoenix and Colorado games in particular were shameful examples of how the team let Osgood, who played nothing short of great, down. They utterly and completely gave those games away.

And look at the game by game. Osgood hasn't given up enough goals in his games lately to get too worked up. He hasn't let in more than 3 goals since that Toronto debacle which wasn't on him at all. His GAA over his last 10 games played is going to be in the low 2's I'd think, probably 2.2-2.3. That's hardly bad. Again, compare it to last year when 4 goals against was almost a given and 5 or 6 goals against wasn't even surprising.

And on that note, here's the thing, Osgood hasn't played bad lately! He hasn't played as well as he'd like and sure, he'd like a goal back here and there, but I think Osgood is absolutely right in saying you need more starts to play at that level. It doesn't matter who you are, you're not going to play your best when you're going a week or more between starts. You see how Brodeur would or Roy would have handled that.

And more so, Osgood has given Babcock at least two examples of great games that certainly qualify as "getting something going" where Babcock has said after the game, "Osgood played real great but Jimmy's starting the next game."

That's a major inconsistency on Babcock's part at this point given comments he's made in the press, hence why Osgood fired right back on the matter. Osgood always battles, but he's not one to openly criticize a coach and question there knowledge. He's pissed, and he has a right to be.

What motivation does Osgood have to "prove himself" when he's done so throughout his career and had great games only to still get sent to the bench for another week or more? Again, this is absolutely poor goalie management. I've been saying it for a month now and it's slowly coming to a head.

I'm not worried about scoring, but I'm definitely starting to worry about goaltending.

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:lol:

am I the only one that bothers?

Are you kidding? I keep a stock-pile of Valium for when I hear rumours that contract negotiations are heating up. Nothing is worse than coming in here and seeing "Star Player's Name Here resigns!"

Who'd have thought that a little hyphen can make the difference between joy and sorrow?

Back to topic: One thing about Ozzie- he always sounds confident to the press. No matter how badly things are going, he is always looking forward.

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The Wings don't have the luxury of giving Ozzie a few games to "find his groove." J-Ho is already in his groove and until he slumps or Ozzie proves he is capable with the few games he is given, he can take the backseat. Starter was Ozzies to lose at the start of the season and as far as I'm concerned, he lost it.

Its a great concept: reward players who are playing good with more ice time.

Jimmy Howard's last ten starts: 5-4-1 Points: 11

Chris Osgood's last ten starts: 4-4-2 Points: 10

Oh really? Think about the last ten starts for the two goalies and get back to me on "the Wings can't afford the luxury..." What luxury is that? It sure isn't showing in the stats of who's winning and collecting points for this team.

And the Edmonton and Dallas losses are squarely on Howard's shoulders. Edmonton's the worst team in the West and Dallas is hardly Chicago.

Osgood's two weakest games in the last ten were against Chicago and Calgary in which he gave up 3 goals in each, which is hardly horrible. In Chicago he still posted a .914 sv.%. And both of those teams are good teams, including Chicago which is one of the best teams in the league. Something else happened in those two games though too. I mean, something didn't happen. We got shutout.

I'm really not trying to take anything away from Howard's play, but when it really shakes down, he hasn't outplayed Osgood near to the extent that many are suggesting, especially when it comes to putting up points, not to mention his easier schedule and the benefit of getting more starts.

It's downright stupid to let Osgood rot on the bench like this. It has already hurt us, and it's not on Osgood. Again, this is blatant mismanagement by Babcock.

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Osgood is the only supposed future Hall of Fame goalie I've ever heard of that needs this much "motivation" and this much time to "get going". All goalies have blips in play, but most of those "blips" don't last an entire season (last year) and to a lesser, but still significant extent, this entire season to date.

The fact that he said this about Babcock doesn't seem too professional to me. In fact, over the past couple of years, he really hasn't been acting like a motivated professional. The fact that he couldn't get motivated for a whole season last year? And now talking like this? I appreciate everything he's done for the organization, but these things still make me lose respect for him.

I love what he does for the playoffs, but there should not be this much of a struggle with him every regular season. Maybe he's not so low-maintenance anymore.

Edit: And, for the record I'm not talking in comparison to Jimmy Howard. He's not what this conversation is about. I don't care who's played what teams. Fact is, as a supposed "elite" goaltender, Osgood shouldn't suffer against the good teams. His numbers simply aren't good enough, whether you choose to look at Howard or not.

Just to further clarify as well, I'm not suggesting that we trade Osgood. Or that he retires. Just that he thinks about this a little more and gets his act together.

Edited by Zetts

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Have you watched the last 5-8 games?

LMAO

Have you watched hockey the last 5-8 years?

Get back to me when Howard starts slumping. Osgood's not one to have a bad attitude and he battles, but if things keep getting uglier between he and Babcock, it absolutely will not be for the best for the team.

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Osgood is the only supposed future Hall of Fame goalie I've ever heard of that needs this much "motivation" and this much time to "get going". All goalies have blips in play, but most of those "blips" don't last an entire season (last year) and to a lesser, but still significant extent, this entire season to date.

The fact that he said this about Babcock doesn't seem too professional to me. In fact, over the past couple of years, he really hasn't been acting like a motivated professional. The fact that he couldn't get motivated for a whole season last year? And now talking like this? I appreciate everything he's done for the organization, but these things still make me lose respect for him.

I love what he does for the playoffs, but there should not be this much of a struggle with him every regular season. Maybe he's not so low-maintenance anymore.

Edit: And, for the record I'm not talking in comparison to Jimmy Howard. He's not what this conversation is about. I don't care who's played what teams. Fact is, as a supposed "elite" goaltender, Osgood shouldn't suffer against the good teams. His numbers simply aren't good enough, whether you choose to look at Howard or not.

Just to further clarify as well, I'm not suggesting that we trade Osgood. Or that he retires. Just that he thinks about this a little more and gets his act together.

Last ten games:

Chris Osgood: 4-4-2 - sv.%: .915 - GAA: approx. 2.3

I don't think those are horrible numbers considering he's going over a week between starts lately and blatantly playing tougher teams.

And if you don't think there's something to be said for getting more starts and thus finding a groove in order to play better, you're out of your mind.

Babcock: "Ozzie just has to battle hard every day in practice and when he gets his next opportunity, make good on it."

That kind of talk chafes Osgood a bit.

"I know how to do that," he said. "I don't think I have to prove that. I know how to play, I just have to play -- that's all there is to it. It's not a matter of earning an opportunity. You have to get into some games and get into a groove and then I can play like I can. It's not that I don't know how to do it.

"But if you don't play, it's impossible to get to that point. I'm a goalie, OK, and I've been playing for 20-some years since Juniors. What I say (about goaltending) is closer to the facts than what he (Babcock) would say."

Edited by gcom007

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The stats may be fairly even, but of the two, Howard has been the more consistent. Early on he let in some brutal softies but is now playing a lot more steady, though he still has some issues with rebound control.

Ozzy on the other hand has had flashes of brilliance, but then continues to let in absolutely back breaking, momentum killing goals.

I like Ozzy, but he's the seasoned veteran and multiple Cup winner. He needs to get his s*** together, because the hot/cold thing has gotten old, especially on a team plagued with injuries.

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Last ten games:

Chris Osgood: 4-4-2 - sv.%: .915 - GAA: approx. 2.3

I don't think those are horrible numbers considering he's going over a week between starts lately and blatantly playing tougher teams.

And if you don't think there's something to be said for getting more starts and thus finding a groove in order to play better, you're out of your mind.

I never really discussed that one way or the other, so thankfully I'm not out of my mind.

And no, his numbers aren't dreadful this season. They're certainly not good enough, but they're not terrible. My comment was more about his clear lack of professionalism than skill level. Admitting he wasn't motivated for a whole season and then saying he knows better than his coach (who is one of the best coaches in the league regardless of what people here think) is not the attitude I want from a moderately skilled goaltender who was supposed to be the guy we could rely on a bit more to get through this season.

Edit: To further add to this getting more starts thing that you've thrown in here: Have you ever heard goalies who don't play in a while say that they've just got to be ready for when they do play? They say it a lot. It's how backups keep their jobs. And that's the case with Osgood right now. Obviously it would be easier for him with more consecutive starts. But the fact remains, as a professional, he's got to get ready for what he's given. A true starter would seize the opportunity in any game they're given.

Edited by Zetts

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Ozzie should stop treating the regular season in a nonchalant way. We actually have to battle to make the playoffs this year.

Still, I'm very surpised that Howard has played so many games recently, while Ozzie has been nowhere to be found. No one thought that would happen before the season.

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Osgood is the only supposed future Hall of Fame goalie I've ever heard of that needs this much "motivation" and this much time to "get going". All goalies have blips in play, but most of those "blips" don't last an entire season (last year) and to a lesser, but still significant extent, this entire season to date.

I'd settle for him just getting more starts. If Babcock thinks it's motivational to play Howard in the easier games and throw Oz in now and then for the more difficult ones, I'd say that in the long run that will not cut it.

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