Chris Osgood

The Detroit Red Wings had some pieces in place in the 1990s, but it wasn't til a few great acquisitions solidified their defense and bolstered their third and fourth forward lines.

The Red Wings were solid as a team; with the drafting of forwards Steve Yzerman and Sergei Federov, and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, they were well on their way to success.

But the Red Wings needed more than just those three individuals to win a Stanley Cup.

Sometimes an opportunity comes along that is just too good to pass up; even if it comes at the expense of one of your dreams.

Chris Osgood officially announced his retirement on July 19th, ending a 16-year career spent mostly with the Red Wings. With that chapter finally closed, Osgood is free to return to his first love: music.

It's one thing to let go of a player who isn't associated with much of anything for your hockey team. Moving parts are exchanged for low draft picks from time to time, and no one really takes notice. They aren't rooted in the minds of fans as a Maple Leaf or a Bruin or a Star.

The Detroit Red Wings are the closest thing to a dynasty that this hockey era will see.  The Red Wings continue to put together a competitive team that is always a threat to win the Stanley Cup despite never having great or even a good drafting position. 

Detroit is waiting to see whom they will play in the second round of the 2011 NHL Playoffs so while we wait let's look at 10 bold predictions for their offseason.

NHL free agency 2011 is not that far off. There is quite the crop of high-profile free agents out there, including goaltenders.

Florida goaltender Tomas Vokoun is a free agent and rumors have been circulating all year that he won't be returning to the Panthers. Phoenix goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov will be a free agent as well.

Other teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning could use better backup goaltending. Luckily for them, there will be plenty of other free-agent goaltenders available this offseason.

Here are the top 11 goaltenders who are most likely to change uniforms.

The Detroit Red Wings are making a push for the top seed in the Western Conference.  They are currently chasing the Vancouver Canucks who hold that spot.  In addition, they also must stay ahead of San Jose and the hard charging, late surging Chicago Blackhawks.

Here are the keys for the Wings to catch the Canucks and secure that top seed.

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Unless you were under a rock for the last week, you probably saw the recent goalie fight between Pittsburgh Penguin Brent Johnson and New York Islander Rick DiPietro.

The ever-fragile DiPietro decided to check a fight off of his bucket list and got his face destroyed in the process.

Goalie fights can be great and when they break out, let the fun begin.

The list that follows are 10 of the most memorable goalie fights.

Enjoy!



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Injuries have knocked both Jimmy Howard and Chris Osgood out of net for the Detroit Red Wings.  Osgood will be out at least six to eight weeks as he recovers from a sports hernia.  Howard’s injury initially looked bad, but it appears he will be back this week. 

Beyond the injury concerns is the fact that both of these goalies will be free agents after this season.  What are the Red Wings' plans?  Will they bring in someone before the trade deadline, sign Howard long-term or bring in somebody in the offseason?

     It always amazes me to hear various pundits, fans and sports talk radio host discuss the career of Chris Osgood and not consider him a surefire Hall of Famer.   While they may be in the minority, there are still far too many of them.  Today we will clear up this misguided thinking.

On Monday night, Red Wings' G Chris Osgood became just the 10th goalie in NHL history to record 400 career wins. Below are the top-10 wins for NHL goalies:

1. Martin Brodeur - 607
2. Patrick Roy* - 551
3. Ed Belfour - 484
4. Curtis Joseph - 454
5. Terry Sawchuk* - 447
6. Jacques Plante* - 437
7. Tony Esposito* - 423
8. Glenn Hall* - 407
9. Grant Fuhr* - 403
10. Chris Osgood - 400

Bold = active
* = Hall of Fame