Brian Duff’s Blog: Osgood deserves better
Chris Osgood leads all NHL goalies in save percentage (.939) and goals against average (1.40) heading into Game 3 against Dallas. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
Brian Duff
2008-05-12 13:45:22
What did Chris Osgood do to warrant this lack of respect?
Is it possible that in three short weeks he’ll be hoisting the Cup for a third time, perhaps with a record of 14-0, and there will still be a significant collection of fans and media alike suggesting he is only a winner by association?
Look, I’m the first to admit there were many times when the Osgood/No Good punch line seemed to roll off the tongue with great regularity, but isn’t it time we all got over some of the past long-range shots and bad goals that are part of every goaltender’s career?
The 1995-96 season was a long time ago. Just because the Wings didn’t win it all that year despite a 131-point regular season and a 39-6-5 record from Osgood is no reason to continue holding a grudge.
Sure, Mike Vernon was the man to end years of Motown misery in 1997. But Osgood carried the mail the following year and delivered the same result.
Still, that hardly won over the critics. As the story goes, a highly respected national columnist in Canada wrote Osgood was the worst netminder to ever lead his team to a Stanley Cup. Ozzie’s parents are said to have marched directly to the newspapers’ office to cancel their subscription in person!
Since that time the Peace River, Alta., product has simply built upon his solid career numbers, so much so that there will come a day when someone will wonder aloud, “Why isn’t that guy in the Hall of Fame?”
I know, it sounds ridiculous. But let’s project where he might be when his new three-year contract comes to an end in the summer of 2011.
Currently 15th all-time with 363 wins, all Osgood has to do – with a team that sure looks poised to be more than competitive in the years ahead – is average 20 wins a season to get to seventh on that list, currently occupied by Tony Esposito (423 wins).
If the Red Wings win it all this year, who’s to say they won’t secure another title in short order? Osgood could be a four-timer Cup winner before he retires.
But that’s putting the cart way before the horse. Let’s stay focused on the present. His playoff numbers are leading the league, save for wins because he didn’t get the call to start the post-season.
How he responds after a final buzzer melee with the Stars’ version of Mad Mike after Game 2 might prove interesting. Not that he’ll change his approach, but he may have a more ornery and desperate Dallas team to contend with.
Should his impressive run lead to a championship, perhaps another slight will be corrected.
The NHL Guide and Record Book (the ultimate source for all hockey reporters) has a section devoted to the entry draft. On page 220, you’ll find the first round picks and “other notable selections” from the class of 1991.
Osgood went 54th that year, and would seem to have notable numbers.
Yet the players listed as “notable” include Jozef Stumpel, Sandy McCarthy, Steve Konowalchuk, Bill Lindsay and Mariusz Czerkawski, but no Osgood.
And so it continues.
Chris Osgood. No good? Good? Really good? You tell me.
Brian Duff is a host of the NHL Network’s ‘On the Fly’ and host of Leafs Lunch on AM 640 Toronto Radio. Read more of his THN.com Blog HERE.
john (Posted 2008-05-14 19:23:08)
Osgood only has good stats this year because the Detriot defence force few shots and the shots only come from far away.
Kyle Kujawa (Posted 2008-05-14 18:01:21)
Ah, I love that comment. "I could win behind that team."
Well, really? Because Hasek couldn't, and that's why Osgood was put in net. Sure it was just 2-2 when he came out, be he was shaky. He let up a lot of strange goals, and seemed to let them up in pairs. It was like this throughout the regular season, too, despite what numbers might tell you. Hasek frequently took nights off and was pulled several times. Osgood gave the team a chance to win every night.
I'll admit, I was amongst those grinning when he was run out of time the first time. But, Osgood's worked hard to reform his game so late in his career. Particularly the last two offseasons he's worked to modernize his game, with the new butterfly techniques and staying square to the shooter. I won't argue that he's an elite goalie in the league, but he's certainly the most reliable that Detroit's had in the organization in a long time. The guy is just consistently good, and can steal a game when needed.
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-05-14 14:25:52)
Brian, before you turn Osgood into the Rodney Dangerfield of hockey, please keep in mind that this guy is only as good as the team in front of him. . .he's not a difference maker (other than offering a vast improvement over Hasek who broke into the league with the Montreal Wanderers, I believe). In his two playoff years here in St. Louis, he was mediocre with a mediocre Blues team. And for those of you who discount the validity of any statement unless you have statistics to munch on as a side dish, the following is disrespectfully submitted: 7 games in 2003, 3-4, 2.45 GAA; in 2004, 5 games , 1-4, 2.51 GAA. The goals against wasn't bad but he was no better than the team he was on. Put him with Ottawa, for instance, and the first round result would probably have been the same for the Senators against the Pens.
Craig (Posted 2008-05-14 13:46:35)
Osgood gets chastized because of his history of inopportune "bad" goals that would deflate most teams. Adam Fox's statement that Osgood is disrespected because the Canadian Media harshly ciritisized the Dave Tippet Wings is dead wrong. First off the Dave Tippet wings couldn't compete with the otehr western conference teams leading to Tippet getting canned. Secondly Osgood wasn't even in Detroit for the Dave Tippet era, so to say he's been painted with the same brush is ridiculous. Chris Osgood has been grossly underrated his whole career, but I think he plays best when expectations are low.
Maxime (Posted 2008-05-13 16:47:56)
Instead of picking on Osgood, why not pick on the awardless Luongo...Osgood even puts up better avg numbers then him! Screw Luongo playing for the Panthers...Osgood played for St-Louis and the new York Islanders...not much easier...
Chris G (Posted 2008-05-13 11:49:12)
Osgood? Scary good!
CJ Eder (Posted 2008-05-13 11:05:26)
Osgood deserves better: Three Points.
1) Sure Osgood is better with the Wings, but that doesn't mean the Wings aren't better with Osgood. They are at least so much better to defeat the Nashville Predators after struggling with Hasek in net.
2) Don't forget about the Red Wing effect. While Osgood faces less than 20 shots a game, a greater proportion of those shots are scoring chances. Take the first period of both games two and three, where Osgood repeatedly robbed the stars of their first leads in the series. So his .939 save percentage is even more impressive in light of the fact that he isn't receiving the 10 extra easy shots to pad his numbers.
3) Finally, where are the other great goalies right now? While Osgood is on his way to a fourth cup, apparent hall of fame shoe-in Luongo has yet to win a playoff series, top keeper Khabibulin continues to languish in Chicago, and the other great keepers Broduer and Lundquist went out in the first and second rounds.
Osgood is in the rarest of company and deserves recognition for it. Of course we should wait until his career is over for talk like this, as a lack of recognition seems to be the only thing that motivates this guy.
Brandon C. (Posted 2008-05-13 10:19:19)
Why does Osgood deserve better? He makes 19 saves a night and skates off quietly. Detroit is the best team, but if they advance and play Pitt or Philly, I'd like to see him have to stop 25-35 a night. Then I'll give him his due. I could backstop Detroit into the 2nd round at least.
Kevin I (Posted 2008-05-13 08:40:24)
Just a qucik follow up, people also like to throw around the fact that Osgood has never won a playoff round for anyone else other than Detroit. and until this year, Osgood's career save percentage is not overwhelming at .907. This is another reason he doesnt get any respect.
Kevin I (Posted 2008-05-13 08:36:43)
Let me start off by saying as a true hockey fan, I am amazed at the Detroit Red Wings, honestly this team has not got the respect they deserved since 02. If you ask me Babcock needs to be recognized as coach of the year, the Wings are constantly 100 plus point teams every year. This is the same reason why Osgood does not get the respect he probably should. Osgood is a smaller goalie who can be beaten high if given the chance but that's the problem, those chances rarely come. he is a victim of his own team's greatness. People look at him if he had to play goal for another team how would he do? Unfortunately he has to do more to get any respect, thus far he has faced 21, 18, and 18 shots in games 1,2,amd 3. I'm sorry but when you are facing those kinds of numbers, and the scoring chances are even lower, he wont get the recognition. I agree that Osgood is a good goalie who deserves better, but you can't argue that he has played better than Fleury or others simply because he is not tested. the wings are that damn good.
Motor City (Posted 2008-05-13 08:17:05)
I remember the Oz-Goat taunts early in his career. The 60 ft slapper that caught an odd bounce, blah blah blah. He's had some embarrassing gaffs during his career, but name an NHL goalie that hasn't. Any one remember the "Statue of Liberty" play by Roy against the Wings in the 90's?? However, he has proven himself time and time again. Granted he plays with arguably one of the best D-men in the history of the NHL in Lidstrom, but he still makes the stops when he has to and always keeps his team in the game. Cup Winner(with more to follow), Jennings winner, he has Hall of Fame written all over him.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-05-13 07:20:00)
Chris Osgood, when he retires, should go to the Hall of Fame. When people look back at his career, his numbers should speak for themselves. He will be in the top 10 in wins, and you don't get there by having a great defense corp in front of you. How many goalies have been run out of various organizations because they didn't stop shots they should have been able to? Yes, earlier in his career, Ozzie let in a couple of memorable bad goals. There has not been one bad goal let in by him this year. He most likely will be the starting goalie on a Stanley Cup winner for the second time in his career. He might not get in the first time he is eligible, but he should be in the Hall when all is said and done.
Chris (Posted 2008-05-12 22:53:03)
I've always been a huge fan of Ozzie, I think he proved he's a solid goalie during his time with the Islanders and the Blues. People are quick to forget that in 01-02 and 03-04 he played 65+ games each season and had a GAA under 2.50 both seasons. He's also had 20+ wins in 12 of the 14 years he played, he's a two time Jennings winner, and he holds a sub 2.50 GAA for his career.
Jane Lacy-Johansen (Posted 2008-05-12 20:23:51)
My Ozzie is an incredible goalie. Shhhh though I don't want my fantasy hockey league to get wind that he is a keeper!
Brian (Posted 2008-05-12 18:04:05)
Is Osgood good ?
Well, when he was with the Islanders, they were almost competitive!
He's damn good... 'Nuff said...
ernie (Posted 2008-05-12 17:10:52)
He is much better than he gets credit for, my guess is he'll show that again tonight.
Joe Blake (Posted 2008-05-12 16:58:30)
The most interesting thing is that they have him for $1.4 million/year.
Best bargain in the league.
Janey (Posted 2008-05-12 16:57:16)
I am not a Red Wings fan but Osgood IS good and deserves better than he gets. You will notice who it is that the Wings put in when Hasek was getting slammed and who it is that has kept them in the playoffs. Osgood.
Samantha Dube (Posted 2008-05-12 16:38:06)
It's funny, everyone talks about how wonderful Martin Brodeur was when he had the best defense corps in the league in front of him for over 15 years. NJ was such a defensive team it was like palying behind 5 defensemen for 60 minutes a game but that didn't tarnish Brodeur's rep. Osgood has a highly skilled - but not elite - defense corps in front of him for most of his career and he's considered average? It doesn't make sense.
Mudshark (Posted 2008-05-12 14:50:16)
Don't forget Ozzie's a two-time Jennings winner. Obviously, team defense has a significant part to play in that award, but last time I checked, the goalie is part of an NHL team.
Assuming he plays out the rest of his contract, Ozzie should be a lock for the Hall... Though another ring or two would be some pretty darn nice "icing on the cake..."
Maxime (Posted 2008-05-12 14:24:50)
I was one to think Detroit would choke against Dallas, but they seem determined to win it all this year. Osgood is most probably a good goalie, but the fact that such a defense corps plays in front of him makes it harder for him to prove himself. Everyone's heard the "With Detroit's team, even i could take Detroit to the Finals"...i think everyone let one of those go when asked about Detroit...Trade Osgood to Tampa, and if he keeps posting those numbers, then no one will be able to say Osgood isn't a great goalie...but for now, Chelios and Lidstrom's shadows are pretty big and hard to get out of.
Rob M (Posted 2008-05-12 14:18:10)
Adam did you watch Coach's Corner the other day when Don Cherry said the Wings are going to win it all? Canadians for the most part like the Red Wings, they are a great team and a great hockey city, don't put words in people's mouths.
Josh Brewster (Posted 2008-05-12 14:14:29)
Osgood is an excellent netminder, one of the better goalies of his generation. Amazingly, people forget that Patrick Roy, for example, played on a lot of good teams, some, great. Osgood usually is ignored because he has played on good and great Wings teams. But it's funny how no one ever holds the quality of the Avs or the Canadiens against Roy, the way they do Osgood. Roy may be one of the two or three all-time greats, but Chris Osgood deserves better. Oh well, he'll just have to look down at those rings on his fingers instead of hoping that the critics give him his due.
Adam Fox (Posted 2008-05-12 13:57:26)
Osgood is just getting the same respect the Wings are getting - none at all. Thanks to a Canadian media, including Don Cherry, that decided Dave Lewis' Wings couldn't compete with the young fast and physical teams in the West, the Wings haven't had a fair assessment since 2003. This team IS different than the club that choked against an almost-destined Edmonton team, and the almost destined Anaheim Ducks. Ask Calgary. Ask Dallas.
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