Do the Red Wings have an Achilles Heel?
Osgood has taken over the #1 spot from Dom
Photo: Third Man In
Greg Wyshynski over at Puck Daddy is offering up his unique spin on team previews by going with the yearbook meme. For the Red Wings he looks for an achilles heel by looking at the “classmate” most likely to earn a wedgie.
From an individual player perspective, it’s Osgood. But let’s face it: Anything less than contention for a President’s Trophy during the regular season is going to be considered a disappointment for the Red Wings. And it’s not like the Central Division, or the Western Conference, has gotten any easier.
I would definitely agree with this take. Chris Osgood is obviously a solid goaltender but has always been viewed as not being a key piece of either the of the teams he backstopped to a Stanley Cup in Detroit. A lot of people forget he was the starting netminder for St. Louis Blues and New York Islander teams that made it to the playoffs, no small feat for either franchise over the past 3 NHL seasons. In back to back playoff performances for both franchises he had a .912 and .907 save percentages, which is respectable but he’s typically had much higher save percentages in Detroit - .930 during this past playoff run.
The concern is Osgood has played more than 60 regular season games only once over the past five seasons. In his 14 year career he’s only had four 60+ start seasons. So you have to wonder how he will fare if he’s put in the position to have to play 60 or more games this season.
As he’s gotten older he’s also had some minor bumps and bruises. Nothing too concerning that puts him into Dominik Hasek territory but he missed a lot of time during the 2006-07 season with hand and finger injuries.
My guess is the Red Wings will plan on Osgood starting somewhere close to 50 games. He’s averaged 47 starts per season over his career and he had 43 starts last year. So that shouldn’t be a huge increase in ice time. If that ends up being the case it will be interesting to see how the Red Wings balance that out as you are walking a fine line between keeping him healthy while also getting him enough game action to stay on top of his game.
Conklin should get lots of work as the #2 goaltender
Photo: The Hockey News
Detroit has a plan B and C in place. Ken Holland signed the top backup netminder on the market when Ty Conklin was inked to a one-year deal. Conklin just happened to start 33 games for the Pens last season, so if Osgood starts 50 games that would leave Conklin with 32 starts. If Conklin struggles or gets injured prospect Jimmy Howard can be called up if necessary to backstop the team.
Dom: “That’s good crazy goalie face Jimmy, you learning quickly.”
This is Chris Osgood’s team. He’ll have plenty of excellent two-way forwards on the ice in front of him and a top 4 on defense that is quite possibly the best top 4 the Red Wings have had over their incredible run. If Detroit becomes the first team to repeat since the 1997-98 Red Wings, Osgood will once again be viewed as a being along for the ride. But if he somehow struggles behind what will be a loaded lineup or ends up getting injured late in the season Ken Holland has done everything he can to solidify the goaltender position by having a plan B and C in place. If Conklin and Howard can’t get it done the Red Wings don’t have any cap space to bring in another goaltender.
But that’s a lot of “what ifs”. For now the Red Wings look to continue their trend of spending money on defence and going with cheap goaltending.
Chris Osgood Jimmy Howard Red Wings ty conklinNo Comments
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