The one spot that Ken Holland hasn't been able to fill this off season is the #2 goalie job behind Jimmy Howard. This isn't much of a surprise though. Most goalies, at least the good ones, want to go to a team where they have at least a chance of being the #1 goalie if they play well. At minimum, they want to go to a team where they'll probably play more than 20 or 25 games. In his two full seasons as Red Wings goalie, Howard has played in 61 and 62 games, winning 37 each season. Part of that has been because of Chris Osgood's heath issues, but part of it is from Mike Babcock riding the hot goalie. Howard is young enough to handle the workload, so his backup could be limited to not many games unless he misses time due to an injury. however, most teams have their goalie situation covered by now, and players may be looking to get whatever NHL job they can find.
The Wings have signed Joey MacDonald to a contract, presumably to play in Grand Rapids and be the call up when they need a spare goalie (thank to Lindy at redwingscentral.com for the confirmation for that). This gives the Wings some insurance in case they can't find someone as MacDonald did a serviceable job last year, posting a .917 save % and 2.58 GAA in 15 games, 9 of which he started. There are a few players left who could help Detroit and might be better than MacDonald, though, and the Wings will certainly be on the phones with agents working out a deal.
Chris Osgood- Ozzie is a potential Hall of Fame player, racking up 400 career wins and winning two Stanley Cups as a starter. He's had several injury issues however, and the Wings might prefer to find someone who is less of a risk. The MacDonald signing gives them insurance if they do bring Osgood back, however, and his relationship with GM Ken Holland cold come into play here to at least earn a shot at the #2 job in a training camp competition.
Ty Conkllin- Conklin had one of the best seasons of his career in Detroit, and might be willing to come back to the team after playing the last two years for a sub-par Blues team. However, he's a 35-year-old career backup coming off a horrendous season. It's hard to say how much of that is due to playing behind a porous defense and how much of it is age catching up to him.
Pascal Leclaire- He went from a future all-star to terrible. Like Conklin, that could be a product of playing for less than stellar teams in Columbus and Ottawa, but at this point his confidence could be shaken to the point of no return. He could be an interesting reclamation product if he's willing to come to Detroit to be the #2 goalie, although he may have to accept a two-way contract.
Marty Turco- The veteran goalie has had a good career, except when he's played Detroit. He could still be a good backup, but may be looking at retirement rather than spend another year on the bench charting faceoffs.
Patrick Lalime- Another goalie who started off hot and then had his career derail. He was fantastic until the lockout, posting sub 2.5 GAAs five straight years, including 2 seasons under 2.3 GAA. Since the lockout he's been relegated to back up duty after a disastrous year with St. Louis. It's unlikely to think that he could revive his career and post his pre-lockout numbers, but he could be a solid option.
Martin Gerber- Gerber has bounced around the professional leagues and was buried on the Oilers farm team last season. He did put up solid numbers in the AHL and posted a 1.30 GAA in the 3 games he played for Edmonton. He should be able to give the Wings a chance to win the nights he plays if they settle on him, and at this point of his career he won't be offered a chance to start anywhere else.
Ray Emery- Injuries and attitude have derailed his career, but he looks to have both of those issues under control. He may be looking for a team that will give him a chance to play more than he would in Detroit, but as the summer progresses he may not have any options except as a #2. Emery could be the best option in free agency if he's willing to play second fiddle to Howard for a year.
Evgeni Nabokov-The Wings tried to get him last year but the Islanders claimed him on waivers. He doesn't want to play for them, however, and GM Garth Snow may be looking to trade him. A low round draft pick could be enough to get him if that's the case.
Michael Leighton- Philly has 3 goalies and not a lot of cap space after giving Ilya Bryzgalov a mind boggling 9 year, $51 million contract. The 30 year old has had an up and down career, but did a solid job for the Flyers 2 seasons ago when it was his turn in their musical goalie rotation. He could be a good fit for the Wings and, like Nabokov, could possibly be had for a mid to low round draft pick or mid level prospect.
Joey MacDonald- The journeyman goalie did well when called upon lest season. He is by no means a starting caliber goalie, but could do an adequate job in net for 20 or 25 games to give Howard an occasional break. He only had two truly bad games, one of which was the 10-3 collapse against St. Louis at the end of March. That was a complete team wide collapse so it's hard to put any of that on any one player. Other than that, one of his losses and an OT loss came after he stepped in for a struggling Howard in a blowout, only to have the Wings come back, tie it, and then lose after MacDonald gave up only one goal.
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