What's up with my boy Jimmy Howard? Hopefully the signing of Larsson means Jimmy will finally get a shot in the rotation with Oz...

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Is this guy better that Steffan Liv? Wasn't he supposed to be the next great goalie of the future for this team?

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Ozzie the starter and Jimbo the backup? No disrespect, but I ain't feelin that for next year. Jimmy needs to show something because I'm not confident that Ozzie can maintain an entire season as a starter and be what he needs to be for us to maintain our reign!! Maybe I'm crazy though.

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Crazylion,

I think your dead on. Word out of the Red Wings is that Howard is not ready and will finish his last year in Grand Rapids. I can only see this guy as his backup. Look for the Wings to sign a veteran to compete with Ozzie for the starting job. Heard Kolzig is a FA. He's a real good tender and would give Ozzie a run for his money I think.

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Wait, so the Wings sign the best goalie in the Swedish Elite League plus the best player in the Finnish Elite League? Not a bad week for the Wings management while they continue dismantling the Western Conference.

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Liv is unrestricted free agent. He was elite league playoff MVP and is playing on world championship team as backup to Henrik Lunquist. He still might be the real deal, just not with the Wings unfortunately.

Larsson will be starter in GR, as Howard can't be sent down without clearing waivers (which would never happen). Howard needs to play about 35 games for Wings next year, like Ozzie was supposed to this year. He will develop faster with the better talent the Wings will put in front of him.

If Ozzie stinks next year (highly possible), they can always go get someone like Ryan Miller at the trade deadline. Signing a UFA goalie this summer is out of the question, especially one as worn out as Kolzig. Yes, he's only Ozzie's age, but he has played 60-70 games for 15 years, mostly with really bad teams.

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Howard can be sent to the Griffins for 1 more season. He was an AHL All Star this year.His numbers weren't as good as the year before but I can almost bet he'll be in Detroit next season. I have yet to read or hear anything that said he wasn't ready.

Ryan Miller won't be in Detroit next season as Buffalo and Miller are working on an extention. Ozzie is signed for 3 more years so get used to him.

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I have no problem with bringing in Kozig for 1 year ONLY. Somebody like that would be great.

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Here is the Jimmy Howard info:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080503/SPORTS05/80503004/1048

I still think they get a veteran for a 1 shot deal next year as competition for Ozzie. If Howard isnt ready they cut him and move on.

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Why don't any of you have faith in Osgood to start the bulk of the games next year? He's been brilliant, and should have started at least a dozen or so more this season. The guy was one of the top two or three goaltenders in the entire league.... You don't need two proven veteran goalies. If Howard doesn't get a chance to be a regular back-up, how the hell are we going to develop him?

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Well no one is doubting Ozzie. But a little healthy competition never hurt anyone. Like this year. And if you read the link its seems that Howard needs another year before he's ready to backup.

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