Abel to Yzerman
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Ramping Up The Rhetoric
by IwoCPO on 02/20/09 at 01:15 PM ET
Comments (64)
Updated: The hits keep on coming. George Malik disagrees with us too. Well…giddy up. I got something down below for you too George.
————
This is what February does. Tempers get short. Stress levels rise. Red Wing bloggers start duking it out in public. There’s a good chance Matt Saler would punch me in the face if he had the chance. And you know what? I dig that about him.
If you’re looking for an overblown response to the Howard call-up, go here. If you’ve been reading A2Y at all over the past few months, you won’t be surprised. Bill and so many of the “19″ have taken anti-Osgood rhetoric to new and ridiculous heights.
Dammit Matt. You know as well as anyone that ridiculous heights are what we strive for here. Read. React. Drink a little. React some more. It’s how we roll.
Of course you all realize that I’m just softening Matt up for what’s to follow. Matt knows it too. He knows that the funny stuff goes above the “continue reading” clicky thing and then we get down to business.
And here is the business at hand: We’ve reached these “new and ridiculous heights” because Chris Osgood has taken us by the wrist and dragged us there. And the most frustrating thing about it is that his demise, and it’s been drastic and obvious, can’t be blamed on anything too significantly physical. Yes. We know there’s been a groin thing and, I believe, a wrist thing.
But by all accounts, this disaster of a season for Osgood has been due to some sort of ailment above the shoulders. And that’s hard for us to handle. We’ve never been easy on mental instability here. You know that Matt. And that’s what this is. Somehow, of all the Wings, Osgood has let the Cup hangover affect him the most.
So we blast him and we worry. We worry because we don’t know what to expect of Ty Conklin. Good god, it’s our worst fear. Give our Conk a chance only to see it fail when success would mean so much to so many.
Chris Osgood was an absolute hero last season. Yes, Hank took home the Conn Smythe, but Osgood saved the season. There is no disputing that. And we told Tick Tock to reward him. When? Last Christmas. The gift we recommended?
Chris Osgood: a big, fat three year contract. Six million bucks for three years and a guarantee that he’ll be starting next year. Of course the wack job Miracle will string us all along, refusing to retire after the parade, letting us wonder for a week or two, but he eventually will. Jimmy Howard’s not ready and may never be. A quarter of the way through the AHL season and he’s not in the top twenty in save percentage or GAA. Meanwhile, we know where Osgood sits atop the NHL. He’s 35 and playing the best hockey of his career. 3 years. 6 million. Merry Christmas.
A frigging prophecy is what that was. And when Holland signed him for three more? He deserved it, but that left a few of us silently wondering if maybe the reward was a bit much.
And dammit if a whole bunch of us weren’t concerned right off the hop that goaltending would be the issue this year.
Because every one of us knows what Chris Osgood is capable of…the good and the bad. We’ve defended him in public, but stressed about him here in private. Because we always knew this was a possibility.
And now? Our starting goaltender is being given a ten-day vacation to clear his head? Are you kidding me?
Even if he comes back all crisp and shiny and new? What kind of confidence will this team have in him, knowing that he needed a sabbatical in order to do the job he’s being paid to do?
Yeah, we’re harsh on Ozzie here. I know. And I don’t always feel good about it. But of all the strong language and over-stressed points of view? Chris Osgood’s failures this year are the least exaggerated. And they haven’t gone exactly unnoticed around the league, either. Andrew’s Stars Page brings us THN’s top 30 goalies. Guess who’s missing?
Three guys ranked in the top five last year are not on this year’s list: Marty Brodeur, Pascal Leclaire and Chris Osgood. Obviously, Brodeur is hurt. So is Leclaire and he’s seen Mason jump ahead of him on the food chain in Columbus. Osgood has had a rough year and Ty Conklin is Detroit’s guy on the list at No. 18.
He’s earned every bit of what we’ve given him here this year. Just like he earned the praise last May and June.
————-
Updated at 1426
Uh oh. They’re piling on now. George, while a bit more diplomatic, takes issue with our view on Osgood as well.
As I tend to disagree with The Chief’s assessments of the situation, here’s my take: Howard has to clear waivers to be sent down to Grand Rapids next year, so the Red Wings have to see how he will perform in the NHL sooner than later…And as he has yet to win a game at the NHL level, this is his one opportunity to strut his stuff. It was going to happen, and with three full days off after Saturday’s game in Minnesota, this is the perfect time to give Howard a start.
Oh. Right. Got it. Osgood lets in 5 goals on 28 shots his last start and the organ-I-zation coincidentally decides to bring Howard up for his “one opportunity.” C’mon George.
Man. If I’m the only one who’s willing to say this, so be it: Chris Osgood has sucked and lost his job. And he’ll be real lucky to get it back. At this point, he doesn’t deserve it.
That’s why Jimmy Howard is in Detroit right now. Frankly, Babcock and Holland saw this coming last summer.
Oh, woops. Did they?
You’re damn right they did. Because if they hadn’t? Your favorite Conk would be somewhere else.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
How much information and blogs do we need to see about the damn wings. Seriously, can everyone take it easy with the wings already.
Everywhere you look is wings wings wings.
Posted by ShitTown on 02/20/09 at 01:50 PM ET
I have a feeling you’re going to enjoy what’s to follow. Thanks for dropping by.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 02/20/09 at 01:52 PM ET
ShitTown brings up a good point.
I mean, just the other day I was flipping through channels and landed on the Lifetime Network. Instead of changing the channel, I just sat there bitching about none of the programming on this channel appealed to me and that they should just shut the whole thing the hell down.
...Then I saw a beautiful story about a woman who had been through enough and stood up for what was best for her daughter. Brought a Goddamn tear to my eye, it did.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 02/20/09 at 01:59 PM ET
You know as well as anyone that ridiculous heights are what we strive for here. Read. React. Drink a little. React some more. It’s how we roll.
More like:
Drink a little. Read. Drink a little. React. Drink a little. Drink a little more. React some more. Drink a lot.
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 02/20/09 at 02:01 PM ET
I tried bringing the anti-Osgood rhetoric to new and ridiculous heights, but I dropped it and it took a bad bounce.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 02/20/09 at 02:04 PM ET
Beats having the rhetoric hitting new lows and squirting out our five-hole.
Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 02/20/09 at 02:06 PM ET
Bad bounces have killed you this year JJ. Are you going to take a sabbatical?
Oh and ShitTown, I don’t interact with trollops, but i had to ask. Did being the first one to comment on this make you at least half-hard? I thought so. I think you would also enjoy bathing in napalm.
Posted by Deuce from Brooklyn on 02/20/09 at 02:10 PM ET
Our starting goaltender is being given a ten-day vacation to clear his head? Are you kidding me?
Long overdue,
I still say Babs wanted to make the change in mid-December, and has had to deal with interference from above him in the Organization. Mikey doesn’t hesitate to make decisions, right or wrong.
An important quality in good leadership.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 02/20/09 at 02:15 PM ET
Here’s the problem I have with Saler: At what point did stressing out about a goalie who is having THE WORST SESAON IN THE NHL become an overreaction?
It’s not like Ozzie has a 2.5 and a .906 and we’re thinking he’s not good enough.
Only one guy in the whole goddamn league with 30+ starts has a worse GAA (Ozzie’s tied with Joey MacDonald on the Isle. JOEY EFFING MACDONALD ON THE ISLE!!!!).
NOBODY has a poorer save % than Ozzie with 30+ starts.
I mean, if Datsyuk had played 60 games and had 10 goals and 20 assists, would it be overreacting to be approaching terror about his level of play, too?
Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/20/09 at 02:22 PM ET
It’s true, Ozzie has had a bad season. I know it, Matt knows it, everybody knows it. Matt even agrees that he deserves criticism. But he doesn’t deserve to be hanged. I think the main issue that Matt has with the way things have gotten over here are the demands of bringing up Jimmy and playing him. Thinking that Jimmy Howard is the answer is…laughable. I love Jimmy as much as the next person. In GR, we refer to him affectionately as our dirty little goalie because of his tendency to take cheap shots at opposing players. We love him. But we hate him. He’s inconsistent. He’s having a good year, when compared to the rest of his career. But it also took him being almost replaced by Larsson to step up his game. And he’s still incredibly streaky. And when he’s having a bad game, the team doesn’t stand a chance because he is so bad that he’s basically sabotaging the team. I’ve been to games when the team has done everything they possibly can to win, scoring enough goals, playing defense, etc. Then Jimmy wanders from the net, or makes a stupid turnover, etc. etc. It’s different every time. And here’s my biggest problem with Howard: when the pressure’s on, he folds. He is not mentally tough, and I’ve always wondered how he’d handle Detroit. Playing goal in Detroit is filled with nothing but pressure. I’m sorry, but Jimmy is not mentally tough. He might come up and win a game. It’s possible. He might even look really good. But with Jimmy, one game means nothing. Meanwhile, Osgood has handled the pressure of playing in Detroit better than any other goaltender in the last fifteen years. He’s had his ups and downs, but you can’t say he’s not mentally tough. He stepped in for Hasek last year and helped the team win a Stanley Cup like it was nothing. I know, this is not last season, but he still has the ability to be that player. That’s more than I can say for Howard.
Posted by Megan from Grand Rapids on 02/20/09 at 02:24 PM ET
To be fair, Matt’s one of the Red Wings bloggers’ sites I visit every day and I haven’t recommended trading Ozzie, but there’s no way I can make myself feel confident in his ability to win us the cup this season. I don’t care if it’s his mental game or the game of the five guys in front of him. Bottom line is that, this season, Ozzie got handed the ball. Not only did he drop it, but it went between his legs too.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 02/20/09 at 02:31 PM ET
Megan…I don’t think any of us have called for a Howard call up. I might be wrong on that. But not many have said we should trade Osgood or even send him down in favor of one of the kid goalies.
Now, I have suggested a Larsson and Howard tandem for next year. But not yet.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 02/20/09 at 02:32 PM ET
Hey 19! Have a great weekend. I won’t be able to participate in the liveblog because I’m heading up to the Arctic Circle otherwise known as Grand Rapids with the Cincinnati Rollergirls. We’ll be taking on the Grand Raggedy Rollergirls. I’m not reffing yet because I still have to pass my tests and get some more experience in but I’ll be there to cheer and jeer and join the after party. Have a great time liveblogging and NO gamewrecking!
Cya!
Jennemy of the Skate
Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 02/20/09 at 02:35 PM ET
Not trying to start a fight, Chief, I just disagree.
Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 02/20/09 at 02:42 PM ET
Not trying to start a fight, Chief, I just disagree
I know that George. It’s our one point of contention. But it’s a fun one.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 02/20/09 at 02:44 PM ET
I think Meagan and I are the only Ozzie fans of the 19. If the Howard call-up is about anything other than showcasing Howard for a trade while sending Ozzie to Bedard’s goalie boot camp, I think it’s a huge mistake.
As Meagan pointed out, Jimmy is inconsistent and that is exactly what this town and this blog will not tolerate in a goalie. Jimmy will never be a goalie for a Stanley Cup contender, but there are plenty of teams out there that have no intention of ever contending for the Cup and would love a goalie of Jimmy’s good-enough caliber.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 02/20/09 at 02:48 PM ET
Okay, I was wrong about Howard’s waiver status.
Still, i can’t help but think that perhaps Howard is the second iteration of Quincey: an NHL-ready player who plays maddeningly in the AHL because he’s frustrated with the fact that he’s not in the Big Show despite being ready. Megan, weren’t you guys in Grrrrapids trashing Quincey’s play last year after his post-playoff send-down too? Showed good form for the Wings in the freaking STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS, and yet was still sent down, followed that up with a bad season in the minors in which he just didn’t work as hard as he did before because he just didn’t see the point if he was never going to get a look-in, and hey—have you seen him in Los Angeles lately? The experts like Jimmy Howard. I just think he could be the goaltending Kyle Quincey.
This organization likes to develop prospects until they are, in their own words, ‘over-ripe.’ Well Kenny, over-ripe fruit often falls from the tree and its sweet taste is enjoyed not by the orchard-keeper, but by the worms and other ground-dwelling beasties.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 02/20/09 at 02:48 PM ET
Osgood’s reflexes are still strong; but his struggles are mental, and it’s clearly manifest in his technique - overly aggressive, and thus out of position. Look at the goal against Colorado, where the puck was shot from a severe angle to Osgood’s right. He came out to far, presumable to cut off an already highly acute angle, and found himself out of position on the rebound. This goal is typical of his recent struggles.
He needs the pressure to come off, which is why Conks should be made #1 for the balance of the season and start of the playoffs. Period.
Posted by Lurker on 02/20/09 at 02:49 PM ET
Okay, Andrew, there’s one major difference between Quince and Howard: before Quincey got called up and then lost heart, he was a great defenseman. We loved him in GR. But we didn’t think he was good enough to make the Wings, and guess what! We were right. Howard has been inconsistent and slightly disappointing ever since he’s been in GR. I’m happy that Quincey’s doing so well in LA. I like the Kings, and I always want the former Griffins to do well. I also want the best for Jimmy, and his future is a topic of discussion at every home game among the season ticket holders. But as far as being ready for Detroit, we all have doubts.
Posted by Megan on 02/20/09 at 02:56 PM ET
No one here asked for a call up because that would lead to paralysis-level alcohol consumption.
While we enjoy our spirits here, we’re certainly not going to invite death to our door.
ShitTown: Your comprehension of where you are is about as good as your sense in when to speak up. Back to the BK grill for you.
Posted by HockeyJoe from Upstate New York on 02/20/09 at 02:57 PM ET
What a way for a HOF goaltender to be shown the door…..
Posted by clemshady from Greenwood, SC on 02/20/09 at 02:58 PM ET
Cross-profession perspective: If Chris Osgood, goalie, were Dr. Osgood instead. His level of “competence” would be under scrutiny by the Hospital Board. A leave of absence would be a definite possibility. That, and rehab for his Xanax addiction…
Posted by VikingDoc from Southern Shore of Lake Erie on 02/20/09 at 02:58 PM ET
How much information and blogs do we need to see about the damn wings. Seriously, can everyone take it easy with the wings already.
Everywhere you look is wings wings wings.
Can you post a picture of yourself please? Preferably a head shot. Preferably yelling something. I know a certain fan of Gary’s Baby Boy that would like to meet you.
Posted by WingsFanInBeanLand from Lidstrom's head telling him 1 more year on 02/20/09 at 02:58 PM ET
Wow—this topic sure does promote some impassioned responses, even from Tick-Tock, via George Sipple’s blog at the Free Press:
“Jimmy’s playing as well as he has at any point in his four-year career,” general manager Ken Holland said of the decision to bring up Howard. “I think it’s an opportunity for Chris to have 10 days here to get a mental breather and clear his mind.”
Asked if Conklin would be the starting goaltender if the playoffs began today, Holland said: “Well, the playoffs don’t start today.”
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 02/20/09 at 02:59 PM ET
Asked if Conklin would be the starting goaltender if the playoffs began today, Holland said: “Well, the playoffs don’t start today.”
Class(y)ic Tick Tock.
I’m curious as to what Ozzie thinks of his sabatical. I’m curious as to how forced it is. But most of all, I’m curious as to how Jimmy will play against the Wild. He gets lit up in these next 10 days, we send him back down and you probably won’t see him Detroit ever again. But maybe…just maybe, he plays well enough to start convincing us that he’s the goalie we all were hoping he would be when drafted him.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 02/20/09 at 03:15 PM ET
That’s why Jimmy Howard is in Detroit right now
Oh, okay. Then why’s he going back to Grand Rapids after Minnesota? It couldn’t be because they want to give Larsson a look, too, could it?
Nothing in the Wings’ history regarding Howard shows that they’re doing anything more than continually evaluating him.
As to the rest, I know A2Y’s all about being over the top, but come on. Osgood deserves everything you’ve thrown at him this season? Really? Do you read your own stuff?
I’m all for taking a critical view of your favorite team and its players. It’s definitely part of being a good fan. No self-respecting fan should unquestioningly drink the Kool Aid their team gives them or wear such team-colored glasses that they can’t see anything wrong, but there’s another extreme. And that extreme is the tone that’s been struck here.
Osgood’s performance and attitude this season is a major, major concern. But the fact remains that it’s still February and the games still mean next to nothing. The team can afford for Osgood to take 10 days off because they’ve been able to win this season in spite of both his subpar play and their’s.
One of the things that’s bothered me about this is that calling out Osgood to this degree effectively absolves the rest of the team for their performances this season. Osgood has been the worst of the bunch, but the whole team has been average this season. They seem to be turning it around lately, but they were headed for a first round trouncing for most of the year.
Do you really think that if he performs so badly in the playoffs, he’ll last more than two games? Or one, even. No! He’ll be on the bench, exactly like Hasek was last year. And the Wings will go on from there, winning, I hope, because there’s more to the team than the goalie.
Throwing him under the bus now and writing him off now is premature at best. If he bombs out in the playoffs, fine. Have at him.
How exactly would putting Howard in on Wednesday be a Bowman-like move by Babock? Bowman almost always went with the veteran.
I know it’s become fashionable to use Griffins as set pieces to fill in perceived gaps in the lineup (Abdelkader as the answer to any question other than “Who’s the most immature, penalty-prone player in the Wings’ system” for example), but like Megan said, Howard is not the answer. The Wings are stuck counting on Osgood to get in shape or Conklin to show he’s got what it takes to win in the post-season. Howard is a ticket to elimination at this point in his career.
If the Wings give up on Osgood and bring in Jimmy was backup, you’d better pray Conklin doesn’t get run by Steve Ott or some other donkey.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 02/20/09 at 03:16 PM ET
What a way for a HOF goaltender to be shown the door…..
Ozzie is NOT a HOFer if this is how his career flames out.
He needs to be an integral part of another good playoff run (not necessarily a Cup win) and needs to eclipse Sawchuk’s record, in my mind, to be a HOFer.
There is no doubting that Ozzie does not meet the same talent level of the HOF goalies of his era (Broduer, Roy, Hasek, Belfour).
But that’s not what really hurts Ozzie’s HOF chances. What hurts him is that there were goalies a level below the elite mentioned above that arguably were more talented than Ozzie—Mike Richter and Curtis Joseph come to mind right away. Richter had such impressive talent, and his career was derailed early by that weird skull injury. Consider that most elite goalies in recent memory actually play best around the age Richter had to call it quits, and he could’ve very well proven he belongs right along side those names above. I just always remember his performances against Canada in the World Cup in 1996. This is AFTER he led the Rangers to a Cup and it looked like he was really entering his prime during that World Cup. Amazing goalie that is overlooked very often.
As for Joseph, his raw talent was better than Ozzie’s, and he’s a borderline HOFer because his win percentage is awful and he could never quite get it done in crunch time in the playoffs. Osgood’s story is the opposite—he never had to be spectacular, but he fit the 1998 and 2008 Wings teams like a glove—great rebound control, very few weak goals, and calm under pressure. Wasn’t asked to do a ton, but did exactly what he was expected to do.
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 02/20/09 at 03:25 PM ET
......Chris to have 10 days here to get a mental breather and clear his mind.
Legace gets a shutout, Osgood gets a lockout. The Downriver Puck Bunnies are on alert. Could be another “Bunny Suicides” book in the offing.
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 02/20/09 at 03:27 PM ET
I know that George. It’s our one point of contention. But it’s a fun one.
As this entry’s comments indicate, that’s why I make sure that I reference the heavy hitter and leave the controversy to none other than THE Chief. 
Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 02/20/09 at 03:30 PM ET
One thing we need to understand here is that Chief’s reaction, Saler’s reaction, Malik’s reaction…whoever…has absolutely f*ck all to do with the fact that Chris Osgood is having the worst year of any goaltender in the league and possibly the worst season of his NHL career.
Put it this way: Forget whether you think people are being “Ozzie-haters”. Forget everything that’s been written or said about him this year. If I told you at the start of the season that, by February 20th, Osgood would have lost his starting job to Ty Conklin, would be the worst goaltender in the league statistically, and that his GM and coach would decide to sit him for ten days so he can work with Bedard and call up a goalie from GR that has never won an NHL game in his life, can you honestly tell me, after apprising this possible scenario, that you wouldn’t consider the possibility that Osgood is finished?
I personally think that the concern that Osgood has played “his last meaningful game” for the Wings is pretty justified, actually. I can’t think of a time in his career, except possibly after the loss to the Sharks in the playoffs way back, that Osgood has seemed more fragile mentally. He’s made some statements in the media this year that have just been bizarre and completely out of character. His performace against Colorado last weekend was difficult to watch, not just for the fact that it was a loss, but the fact that you could tell Osgood had no f*cking idea what the hell was going on. Every single shot that Colorado put on net had a chance to go in. He looked completely, utterly lost out there.
Does that mean he can’t right the ship? No, not at all. But to pretend like expecting him to fully rebound and lead us to the promised land is somehow less crazy than expecting him to continue the way he’s played all year is completely ridiculous.
Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 02/20/09 at 03:31 PM ET
Wow, Nathan. I was just channeling Drew Sharp. My comment was made entirely tounge in cheek.
Posted by clemshady from Greenwood, SC on 02/20/09 at 03:32 PM ET
If Osgood had the same numbers as Conklin, there’s no way the Wings call up Howard. They’ll take a look at him while they have the chance, sure, but they only have the chance because Osgood’s been brutal (and Stuart is injured, giving them the cap space). If the Wings had two goalies rolling, I can guarantee they’d just drive down to Grand Rapids to watch Howard instead of risking two points in the race for home ice against the Sharks.
Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 02/20/09 at 03:36 PM ET
Maybe Osgood just needs to visit Dr. Rahmani.
he trust he eyes?
Posted by Pharazon from England on 02/20/09 at 03:53 PM ET
Ty Conklin (G) 3-0-0, 1.67, .930 in last 3 GPI
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 02/20/09 at 03:54 PM ET
His performace against Colorado last weekend was difficult to watch, not just for the fact that it was a loss, but the fact that you could tell Osgood had no f*cking idea what the hell was going on. Every single shot that Colorado put on net had a chance to go in. He looked completely, utterly lost out there.
Yeah, and he looked lost on that breakaway that he made the glove save on.
Congratulations, for you are the #1 idiot on this site. Not an easy thing to accomplish, for so many here aspire to that label…
Posted by Lurker on 02/20/09 at 03:54 PM ET
Chris Osgood (G) 0-1-1, 3.88, .849 in last 2 GPI
‘Nuff said.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 02/20/09 at 03:54 PM ET
Congratulations, for you are the #1 idiot on this site. Not an easy thing to accomplish, for so many here aspire to that label…
There’s a pot calling the rainbow black…
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 02/20/09 at 03:58 PM ET
Congratulations, for you are the #1 idiot on this site.
Awesome. What do I win?
Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 02/20/09 at 03:59 PM ET
Awesome. What do I win?
Why, our collective esteem, of course. Is there anything else…?
Posted by Lurker on 02/20/09 at 04:03 PM ET
Yeah, and he looked lost on that breakaway that he made the glove save on.
One nice save does not a solid goalie make.
Posted by clemshady from Greenwood, SC on 02/20/09 at 04:10 PM ET
Lurker, unless there are a few other personalities in that noggin of yours, you shouldn’t be using the plural possessive “our”. That signifies that you belong here. Let me be clear on this, you don’t.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 02/20/09 at 04:11 PM ET
Lurker, unless there are a few other personalities in that noggin of yours, you shouldn’t be using the plural possessive “our”. That signifies that you belong here. Let me be clear on this, you don’t.
You’re right. Thank you for making my day.
Let me try again.
Awesome. What do I win?
Why, the 19’s collective esteem, of course. Is there anything else…?
Posted by Lurker on 02/20/09 at 04:16 PM ET
Lurker…I warned you that if you didn’t take your meds your syphilis would flare up again!
Doc’s orders: Take the pills. ALL OF EM’!
Otherwise, you’ll just have to go through life being a scrofulous SOB…I guess.
Posted by VikingDoc from Southern Shore of Lake Erie on 02/20/09 at 04:18 PM ET
One nice save does not a solid goalie make.
Lurker doesn’t seem to quite grasp the concept that, for a professional goalie, the expected outcome of every shot , by over 90%, is a save.
Goals are the exception, not the rule in hockey.
Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 02/20/09 at 04:18 PM ET
Yeah, and he looked lost on that breakaway that he made the glove save on.
anybody who knows anything about the Wings knows that they need a goalie who makes the stops he is supposed to make. Osgood is the other way around…he stops the ones that wouldn’t be his fault (some of them, anyway) and lets in a few that any rank-and-file goalie should stop. IMO, it’s his positioning. a goalie like Hasek can predict where the puck is going to be instead of reacting to where it is going. with the right positioning it’s more “the puck hits you” instead of “you make a save”. Osgood seems utterly incapable of playing like this, this year.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 02/20/09 at 04:20 PM ET
for a professional goalie, the expected outcome of every shot , by over 90%, is a save.
Maybe Ilitch can open up some cap room by paying Ozzie a minor league contract for this year?
Posted by clemshady from Greenwood, SC on 02/20/09 at 04:21 PM ET
Maybe Osgood just needs to visit Dr. Rahmani.
Screw the eyes…..if he’s out longer that ten days he may want to call the Sam Bernstein for some help.
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 02/20/09 at 04:21 PM ET
Wow, Nathan. I was just channeling Drew Sharp. My comment was made entirely tounge in cheek.
My mistake. The Ozzie in the HOF talk has come up before in a serious context, and sarcasm doesn’t make it’s way over the internet particularly well.
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 02/20/09 at 04:26 PM ET
Puck Daddy is covering the Chief/Saler Thunderdome Death Match.
Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 02/20/09 at 04:26 PM ET
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GDT - Game #56: Red Wings host Ducks (7:30)
GDT - Game #55: Red Wings host Oilers (7:30)
The F Stands For Finger And The Finger Could Really ______ Us All
GDT - Game #54: Red Wings at Coyotes (8:00)
So Far 4 In 2, Why Not 6 in 3?
About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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How much information and blogs do we need to see about the damn wings. Seriously, can everyone take it easy with the wings already.
Everywhere you look is wings wings wings.
Posted by ShitTown on 02/20/09 at 01:50 PM ET