If Howard becomes the "guy".....

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

While Jimmy's play as of late has most people thinking the Wings may have themselves their goalie for the foreseeable future once Ozzie retires there's one big question that lingers. First and foremost, obviously the sample size of Jimmy's play is quite small and even though he continues to improve month after month, I still think its way too early to tell if Jimmy's going to be the guy between Detroit's pipes for the foreseeable future.

Now that being said, my big question is how does this team (and more specifically Babs) effectively acclimate Jimmy to postseason play. The guy has absolutely zero experience regardless of what you consider the AHL or the collegiate system. The bold fact of the matter is regardless of whether Jimmy can continue his brilliance, at some point he needs to be unleashed on the postseason.

So my question is what do you all feel would be the best way to ease the blow of his first starting playoff campaign?

Personally, I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of Ozzie not being the starting goaltender once the playoffs begin in April simply because we saw this last season and due to his brilliance the past two post-seasons. Is it the best option for Jimmy to in fact take over either this postseason or the following (which Ozzie is contracted through), due to the advantages of knowing Ozzie will be there in case he's needed? The advantage there is this team is getting younger and its not necessarily the worst idea to gain some extremely valuable playoff experience at his age. Or do we wait out Ozzie's contract and let him take the reigns after the following season given the current team is starting to hit its stride all the while getting healthier and will be much more rested for the playoff run?

Note: This is *not* an Ultimate Goalie War Thread. Any/all posts that discuss Ozzie vs. Jimmy in a matter similar to the thread already created will either be moved or deleted. This is about how/when to work Jimmy into the playoffs if he does become the guy down the road.

[CanadaBoy 151]

I think just ike Dom was the better regular season goalie two years ago and got the nod, I think Jimmy will get the nod until it shows that he can't handle the pressure; and of course Ozzy in for the rescue!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I think just ike Dom was the better regular season goalie two years ago and got the nod, I think Jimmy will get the nod until it shows that he can't handle the pressure; and of course Ozzy in for the rescue!

But Dom was also far more established and had a Cup to his name. That's not really apples to apples when one compares Jimmy to Dom.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

And in any event, waiting for a goalie to drop a couple games so you can make a switch is not an ideal way to stay alive in the playoffs.

[edicius 3,269]

Part of me wants Ozzie to start in the playoffs because he's money in the postseason. And then if he falters within the first few games, hand the reigns to Jimmy (similar to Dom and Ozzie in 2008). But then if Jimmy can't handle the pressure, it's a crappy time to find that out.

I think the more logical part of me says, hey, if Jimmy's still playing well leading up to postseason time (and we've qualified for the playoffs, of course), let him start. If he falters, then give it to Ozzie. This scenario puts me a little more at ease, honestly. I have more faith in Ozzie in relief than Jimmy, simply due to experience. But this way, at least Jimmy gets his feet wet.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Not to take anything away from Howard, but right now he still relies pretty heavily on the defensmen in front of him to clear away rebounds and prevent second chances from hitting the net. I suppose this could be looked at as both good and bad in terms of the playoffs. Its good in that Jimmy will still just need to play positional style goaltending, and the experienced defensmen in front of him can (continue to) help with the transition. It is bad in that it pushes more responsibility onto the defensmen, and the playoffs have much more crashing the net than the regular season. Ultimately, I think if Jimmy can learn to swallow pucks and not let the rebounds get away from him, he'll continue to be successful in the postseason. However if he continues to let the pucks escape him, he may be burying the defensmen too deep to bail him out.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Part of me wants Ozzie to start in the playoffs because he's money in the postseason. And then if he falters within the first few games, hand the reigns to Jimmy (similar to Dom and Ozzie in 2008). But then if Jimmy can't handle the pressure, it's a crappy time to find that out.

I think the more logical part of me says, hey, if Jimmy's still playing well leading up to postseason time (and we've qualified for the playoffs, of course), let him start. If he falters, then give it to Ozzie. This scenario puts me a little more at ease, honestly. I have more faith in Ozzie in relief than Jimmy, simply due to experience. But this way, at least Jimmy gets his feet wet.

It's also not the worst idea since (given your scenario) Ozzie isn't panning out at the moment. In a sense, he could get some valuable playoff experience with a great amount of the pressure taken off him since he technically didn't get them in the hole in the first place.

[NGKEIB 32]

Do what we did with Conklin - when we're up by several goals, put Howard in

[egroen 384]

I think something very unusual needs to happen for Osgood to not be the starter this year in the post-season.

Assuming Osgood struggles again in the regular season next year, the final year of his contract, is when management strongly considers making the transition.

[egroen 384]

Not to take anything away from Howard, but right now he still relies pretty heavily on the defensmen in front of him to clear away rebounds and prevent second chances from hitting the net. I suppose this could be looked at as both good and bad in terms of the playoffs. Its good in that Jimmy will still just need to play positional style goaltending, and the experienced defensmen in front of him can (continue to) help with the transition. It is bad in that it pushes more responsibility onto the defensmen, and the playoffs have much more crashing the net than the regular season. Ultimately, I think if Jimmy can learn to swallow pucks and not let the rebounds get away from him, he'll continue to be successful in the postseason. However if he continues to let the pucks escape him, he may be burying the defensmen too deep to bail him out.

With the heightened intensity of the playoffs, rebound control is so vital.... and Osgood is still a lot better than Howard at it.

Hiller last year gave up a ton of juicy rebounds, despite playing unbelievable... and while the Ducks were superb at clearing most of them, it had a lot to do with why the Red Wings won in the end, IMO. Giguere does not give up rebounds like that.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Do what we did with Conklin - when we're up by several goals, put Howard in

Never once do I remember the Wings doing that with Conklin. Besides, you don't take out your goaltender in the postseason when you're winning a game, regardless of any lead you've built up.

[InKennyWeTrust 126]

I could really see Howard cooling down after the Olympics, no matter how much I don't want him to. It'll be hard to take time off without even having practice opportunites with Z/Dats or any of the other elite scorers on our team. I think that if Jimmy comes out hot after that time off, we need to ride him while it lasts.

Edited January 12, 2010 by InKennyWeTrust

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Never once do I remember the Wings doing that with Conklin. Besides, you don't take out your goaltender in the postseason when you're winning a game, regardless of any lead you've built up.

Game four of the Western Conference Finals they did that, mainly to rest Osgood.

Personally I think next year if Howard plays well they should switch Osgood to backup status and see how Howard does next year. Ozzie is going to be very old next year so I think that would be a good time to put him in. Maybe switch them up during the post-season.

[toby91_ca 620]

This will be the first time in many many years that my first instinct is to say "let's worry about getting to the playoffs first." It's true though, they are currently not in a playoff position, missing the playoffs for the past 15-20 years was largely something I never, ever even though was even a potential.

Anyway, assuming the Wings make the playoffs, if it was up to me and assuming Osgood continues to struggle the rest of the year and Howard continues to improve and play great, I go with Howard to start, but it is a very difficult decision. My thoughts would be to give him the chance to shine, but have Osgood ready to go if needed. Timing is critical here too, getting to a point in time that is "too late" can come upon you very, very quickly.

[toby91_ca 620]

Game four of the Western Conference Finals they did that, mainly to rest Osgood.

Personally I think next year if Howard plays well they should switch Osgood to backup status and see how Howard does next year. Ozzie is going to be very old next year so I think that would be a good time to put him in. Maybe switch them up during the post-season.

I'm leaning towards the thought that Osgood is already at backup status now.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Game four of the Western Conference Finals they did that, mainly to rest Osgood.

Personally I think next year if Howard plays well they should switch Osgood to backup status and see how Howard does next year. Ozzie is going to be very old next year so I think that would be a good time to put him in. Maybe switch them up during the post-season.

I completely forgot about that! I stand corrected. That being said, I know we jumped out to a nice lead but wasn't there another reason aside from just giving Ozzie a rest? I know the Wings dominated that game, but I thought there was another reason other than the lead being secure.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

And in any event, waiting for a goalie to drop a couple games so you can make a switch is not an ideal way to stay alive in the playoffs.

ok....but when do you work him in? why not do it now so we know we have a back up in the playoffs in ozzie and not wait until next season when we have no one...i say get him in there now and lets see what he can do. they can tell better then we can if howard will be effective in the playoffs or not.

[Broken 16 381]

Why does there have to be an acclimation formula? If he's still playing well, throw him in. Pretty simple.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Why does there have to be an acclimation formula? If he's still playing well, throw him in. Pretty simple.

Because he just may not be ready for the added pressure of the playoffs. It's not as if just one or two goaltenders in the history of the game have struggled in their first playoff run. It's a pretty common occurrence.

[Krayzie_Bone 58]

Once ozzie retires? Howard is the guy now ozzie is irrelevant.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Once ozzie retires? Howard is the guy now ozzie is irrelevant.

You willing to stand by this statement if Ozzie is between the pipes in April?

[Dano33 41]

I'd like Howard to get the playoff experience while Osgood is still here and I would like it to be this year, so long as Howard continues to show that he is playing better than Osgood. We have to make a playoff run this year, and if Howard is the one who gets us there, then he needs to start.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

One potential upside to the Wings being low in the standings is that even prior to the start of the playoffs, I think they'll already have to be in playoff mode, keying in on every game and needing big wins just to get into the postseason.

It's obviously not quite the same as actual playoff hockey, but I think there's a similarity in mindset.

[Broken 16 381]

Because he just may not be ready for the added pressure of the playoffs. It's not as if just one or two goaltenders in the history of the game have struggled in their first playoff run. It's a pretty common occurrence.

I know it helps the discussion to complicate the situation but it's not really that complicated. I'd be very, very surprised if they threw a rusty Osgood into net just because it's the playoffs. You guys are downplaying how much pressure Howard is under right now and he's doing fine. If nothing changes between now and then, why would anybody want a rusty Osgood starting? So what if Howard loses? Is he gonna jump off a bridge?

Babcock has already proven that he will play the goalie that gives the team the best chance to win and right now that is Howard. If that doesn't change between now and then, I see no reason for Babcock to change his tune. In fact, that would be downright dumb..

Edited January 12, 2010 by Broken 16

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Once ozzie retires? Howard is the guy now ozzie is irrelevant.

Seems like a reasonable viewpoint based on Jimmy's 37 games in the NHL, and 0 games in the playoffs.