Well the number of available goalies just got smaller. The Chicago Blackhawks successfully signed Nikolai Khabibulin, the Bulin Wall, to a four year deal valued at $27 million ($6.75 million yearly).
“When we began this process, we targeted Nikolai Khabibulin and Adrian Aucoin as the two main players we wanted to sign,” Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon said. “Not only did we accomplish our goal in signing these players, but we were also able to sign Martin LaPointe and Jaroslav Spacek. Along with Jassen Cullimore, Matthew Barnaby, and Curtis Brown whom we signed last year we feel that we have really improved our team. I know our fans have gone through some difficult times, but we said that we would remain flexible and give ourselves a chance to improve our team under the new rules governing the NHL with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. We planned ahead with this day in mind and we are extremely happy that we were able to achieve some of our goals.”
With Khabibulin out of the way, the Wings need to really focus on getting a goalie! It’s looking like either Chris Osgood will return to Detroit or the Wings might pick up Jocelyn Thibault, the Blackhawks 2003-2004 goalie. Personally, I’m unsure about Osgood. We had a strong team when he was goaltending for Detroit and he was in his prime. I just don’t know. I’m not opposed to his return, he’s just not my first choice. It’ll be interesting to see who Holland picks. At least we have a great backup goalie in Manny.
Quite frankly, I’d be happy to see Manny as the #1 goaltender. And I’d certanly prefer him to Ozzie or Jocelyn. Osgood doesn’t get from pipe to pipe like he used to, and Thibault has stamina issues.
Since Manny also has stamina issues, And alternating goalie situation with Thibault might work well, but you would have to be commited to it right through the playoffs.
I’m starting to lean that way myself. Why not give Manny a chance and keep some cap space for another skater? I wouldn’t mind Ozzie being back, though.
I wonder if Joey MacDonald would be up to playing an alternating goalie system.
Oh I don’t have a problem with Manny. I like the guy. I just get this feeling that the Wings are anti-Manny as the starting goalie. And if he remains as back up goalie, he sure is getting paid a lot for the job in the new NHL market…
Manny is a guy who would start in most NHL cities but the Wings have held a highers standard for years, using established #1 goalies. I think they’re going to need to lower that standard now because they can’t spend big bucks on a goalie when the rest of their roster needs to be filled. Especially since they have Manny and a decent backup in Joey MacDonald (who was steady in net for the Griffins this year).
Although the talk is on Ozzie, I have a feeling the Wings will just pick up a veteran backup in the vein of a Garth Snow, Bill Ranford, etc.
Matt, you’re right. If we commit say $3 million to an Osgood or Thibault, we are at serious risk of losing Pavs or Hank. I’d love to get a true starting goaltender, but as each day goes by it seems less and less likely.
I definetly think that Mac Daddy (Joey MacDonald) would be perfect in backup, or even as starter, he is a great goalie, I think he is probably 10 times better than Marc Lamothe, if I see Mac Daddy as starter for the Wings this year, especially aftyer the lockout, I would be a HAPPY CAMPER.