82 replies to this topic

[Shaman464]

I love both these players and hate to see them go, two more players from the amazing wings teams of the late 90s/early 00s are gone.. but if Holland think its better for them to not be retained next season and to explore other options in their place, its his decision.

Thank you Ozzie and Drapes for your years of service to the team, to the city and to the fans!

Edited by Shaman464, 16 June 2011 - 01:51 PM.

[Drake_Marcus]

This choice would be easier for Ozzy if he'd hit 400 wins last season. Right now I feel like hitting 400 is a small part of what's motivating him to come back for another year.

[Doc Holliday]

This choice would be easier for Ozzy if he'd hit 400 wins last season. Right now I feel like hitting 400 is a small part of what's motivating him to come back for another year.

He did hit 400 last season.

Edited by Doc Holliday, 16 June 2011 - 02:15 PM.

[stevkrause]

This choice would be easier for Ozzy if he'd hit 400 wins last season. Right now I feel like hitting 400 is a small part of what's motivating him to come back for another year.

You're better than this!

As already touched on, he already hit it...

[OhioWing]

I would like to see Ozzie at least given a chance to make the team through the training camp and preseason. Sit down with Kenny and work out a contract for league minimum that has contingencies on making the team or some other performance metrics and set it up on the cheap. If he he still has it in the tank to go and doesn't retire, then incentives in the contract could give him a bump from league minimum.

He hasn't been his historical self the last couple of years, but with his groin torn up like it was he couldn't possibly be.

After the repairs, he should at least get a shot to show what he can do healthy. If he doesn't have it left, then give him a job in the minors coaching goalies and see if he can take on that position for the Wings long term.

You don't spend a bunch of money to repair the engine and body on your old car to then send it off to the junk yard to be crushed.

[stevkrause]

I would like to see Ozzie at least given a chance to make the team through the training camp and preseason. Sit down with Kenny and work out a contract for league minimum that has contingencies on making the team or some other performance metrics and set it up on the cheap. If he he still has it in the tank to go and doesn't retire, then incentives in the contract could give him a bump from league minimum.

He hasn't been his historical self the last couple of years, but with his groin torn up like it was he couldn't possibly be.

After the repairs, he should at least get a shot to show what he can do healthy. If he doesn't have it left, then give him a job in the minors coaching goalies and see if he can take on that position for the Wings long term.

You don't spend a bunch of money to repair the engine and body on your old car to then send it off to the junk yard to be crushed.

That's too much of a gamble, because they need to sign a solid backup BEFORE camp and before only scraps are left and what if Osgood DOES make the team our of camp, roll 3 goalies?! That makes no sense... also, groin injuries are no joke, ESPECIALLY for goalies...

just face the facts, it's time for him to hang them up... it's sad, but it's time and it's part of the game...

Also, you don't just give him Bedard's job, Bedard has done a great job with our goalies and doesn't deserve or need to be replaced... he could maybe work in some other capacity and eventually work his way into that role if Bedard moves on, but I honestly see Ozzie doing broadcasting more than anything...

Edited by stevkrause, 16 June 2011 - 02:44 PM.

[LeftWinger]

Oh my, a grand total of -83 for stinky fish taco in this thread alone...

As much as I am glad the Wings may not sign them, I am ever so grateful for the things they did for this team and city while they were part of this team! Thanks for the great times guys!

[WingZNut13]

Oh my, a grand total of -83 for stinky fish taco in this thread alone...

I am under the belief that mindfly created a new name just to come in her and harass us. 83 just simply isn't enough for this taco

[Majsheppard]

Helm, Eaves, Miller are all upgrades over Draper. And they are the returning guys he would be competing against for playing time. Mursak is definitely going to be on the roster, and offers a lot of what Draper brings; my ideal lineup puts Mursak on the left side replacing Draper with Helm and Eaves. Emmerton would be the likely loss if Draper returns, and he's a 23 year-old C/LW with second-line potential. He showed good offensive instincts and skill in a brief call-up last season and is defensively capable.

I never said they weren't upgrades over Draper. However, Drapes still won faceoffs, still was a grinder, still played excellent defense, still acted as a leader, and still worked harder than most of the players on and off the ice. He contributed to the team, and as a 13th forward he had a ton of value. Mursak, Emmerton, Miller, Eaves, Helm, Abs, none of these guys would lose a spot to Draper or significant ice time for development when we lose Modano and most likely Hudler.

There also is no one in GR outside of Tatar that would be a realistic long term call up in case of injury. The truth is he still has value as a depth role player, and he would easily accept a minimum contract. He is worth that much if all he did was come to the rink everyday and led the workouts as he is known to do.

He should be resigned, unless they fill out the roster in some other way. Which could be the case. I just prefer they use the cap space on the top end guys and fill out the roster now with cheap guys such as Draper.



Osgood is a different story, one that depends on what the Doctors think his conditioning is at. The surgery he had is supposed to have made him stronger than he was for the last two years and if his body holds up I have no problem giving him 20-25 starts. I would expect him to get no less than 12 wins with that load. He also would be a min contract, and that seems like a better deal for the team than spending 1.5 million on a guy to do the same. Howard is the guy, and Osgood is a perfect backup because I still think he could win in the Playoffs if Howard went down. I would want to bring Joey back to be the third guy though, no matter what we choose to do.

For both players, I would just let them know that their status with the team would be determined near the end of free agency, not the beginning. Making any decisions before we round out other important issues, such as the defense and coaching, is just plain folly.

[Mors]

Draper and Osgood have both been integral to the team's past success, and they've been excellent teammates in the process. That said, it's time for both of them to retire. As Holland said, the torch needs to be passed or this team isn't making forward progress.

[RockyMountainWingGal]

only delusional homers want osgood back.

get a clue.

There's a difference between being OK with Osgood "passing the torch" as Holland put it tastefully, and "get lost".

Care to give back those Cups? I don't, but I wouldn't mind moving on either. Ozzie and Drapes rightfully want a chance to sign and make the team. Holland has the tough decision of passing on two valuable and nostalgic parts of the Wings franchise and success for the last 15 years. He's paid to make the right decision.

These two guys deserve a round of applause if they're on their way out, not a "good riddance". Some Wings fans make me sad.

[Konnan511]

You're better than this!

As already touched on, he already hit it...

That's what she said!

[eva unit zero]

For Eva: Hudler #1; Osgood #2.

You clearly didn't read any of my post other than the part where I disagreed with the "Osgood leaving" part. Such as "why" I disagreed whether he should or would leave. Maybe you could read it and try to actually come up with an intelligent response instead of a flame?

I really think if Osgood says he is ready they should take his word for it. But this would be his last hoo-ra. I just don't think he wants to go out the way he did last year and wants to prove he can get it done one more time. As for Draper I don't see why he wouldn't be wanted. The guy played most of the season last year and played as hard as the young guys. He scored goals, killed penalties and won faceoffs. Really couldn't see why you would want him to retire. I figure Lids, Oz, Drapes and Holmer have one more year left in em. If Holland were so worried about Emmerton's potential, we would have seen him in more games last season. If you want to remove people, it should be the under achievers like Hudler. He just doesn't seem to work hard enough and expects others to make the plays. Combine that with Modano being gone and Kenny should be able to get it done with Draper and Osgood.

Assuming Eaves and Miller return, Draper doesn't make the top 12 even if you deal Hudler without a forward coming back. And keeping him in that situation would prevent Emmerton and Mursak from getting ice time to develop into the kind of players they can be; given the Wings' age at forward they need their young forwards developing to full potential as soon as possible.

As for Osgood, I refer to my earlier statement regarding the fact that if he is healthy, he will be the backup at or near minimum, but I also expect Holland to sign or at least invite another quality backup-level goaltender to camp.

I'd take Draper back as the 13th/14th forward, that way he won't take away time from the younger players and he'd be a perfect replacement for any injured player.

Franzen/Draper/Holmstrom. Now that sounds like a killer scoring line to me.

Osgood.... umm... bye! Try not to let 3 goals in on your way out.
We need a backup that will accept a role as second, but will still give Jimmy a challenge to continue to improve.

Osgood was outplaying Howard for a considerable stretch before he went out injured. Howard started to play better down the stretch, especially when Osgood came back.

[IllinoisRedWingsFan]

As much as I loved Osgood and Draper in their prime I Say let them go give the young guys a chance.

[Doc Holliday]

Osgood was outplaying Howard for a considerable stretch before he went out injured. Howard started to play better down the stretch, especially when Osgood came back.

I'm a huge Osgood fan and even I know that's bunk.

He was playing arguably better in 09-10 and slipped up midway through the season. This season, Howard has been the undisputed #1 for Detroit for every part of the season.

[stinky fish taco]

I am under the belief that mindfly created a new name just to come in her and harass us. 83 just simply isn't enough for this taco

as far as i can see, mindfly never said a bad word about anyone on this site. that's one difference between us.

[stevkrause]

That's what she said!

[Majsheppard]

Does this hurt Osgood's HOF prospects?

I am thinking yes as a hall of famer usually gets to call it a career for themselves...

[Dimaline312000]

I hope that the Wings don't resign Osgood or Draper. Let's use that Cap and Roster space for someone else. Bring Emmerton up this coming season and go after a couple new free agents. Resign MacDonald or even a Free Agent Goalie or something Say bye to Miller and Eaves and let's go after some new blood; something that could give us a little spark on the roster to get the guys going and ready to chase another Cup.

Edited by Dimaline312000, 17 June 2011 - 11:28 AM.

[Hockeytown0001]

I'll be more disappointed with the departure of Osgood, but mostly for nostalgic reasons.