Examining the Detroit Red Wings goaltenders

Wednesday, 09.19.2007 / 12:52 PM / Season Preview

By Evan Grossman - NHL.com Staff Writer

Who's No. 1?

As impressive as Chris Chelios’ being 45 years old this season is, so, too, is Dominik Hasek’s longevity between the pipes. Hasek turns 43 in January and despite his advanced age, “The Dominator” continues to be among the elite goaltenders in the NHL. Last season, a renaissance year for the goalie, Hasek won 38 games, finished with a .913 save-percentage (good enough for second in the League) and compiled eight shutouts (also second in the NHL).

The six-time Vezina winner and two-time MVP signed on for one more season with Detroit this summer, deciding he wasn’t ready to retire after getting the Red Wings thisclose to the Cup Final in the spring. Detroit was eliminated by the eventual champion Ducks in the Western Conference Final. Hasek was a big reason why the Wings got that far, allowing an impressive 1.79 goals against in the playoffs.

Backup plan

In Detroit, it would be an unthinkable set of circumstances, but if for some reason Hasek ever gets injured, the Wings would turn to longtime backstop Chris Osgood to carry the load. He’s been with the team forever, and in 21 games last year in relief, the 34-year-old went 11-3-6 with a 2.96 GAA. If the Wings want to go young behind Hasek, there is 23-year-old Jimmy Howard waiting in the wings, no pun intended, as well as Adam Berkhoel, who joined the club this summer.

In the Wings

Adam Berkhoel -- The 26-year-old signed as a free agent this summer with Detroit after working in the minors last year in the Buffalo organization. Spent most of last season in the ECHL where he went 23-17-3 last year with Dayton. Also saw action in six games with AHL Rochester where he went 2-3-0 with a 3.23 goals-against.

Logan Koopmans -- Selected by the Red Wings in the fifth round in 2002 and has spent the last two years toiling for the East Coast League’s Toledo Storm. He’s appeared in a total of only 38 games the last two seasons, however. Went 17-7-1 last year with a 2.83 GAA and a .914 save-percentage as a 22-year-old.

Daniel Larsson -- The Red Wings took him in the third round of the 2006 Draft and he has yet to make it over to North America. He’s played the last two years in his native Sweden, and most recently appeared in 49 games last season in the Swedish Elite League. Could eventually be the guy to inherit the reigns from Hasek, though the 20-year-old might be a few years away.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland on goaltender Dominik Hasek:

"Big Dom did some things differently last year that he had never done in his career. Spent more time stretching before practice. Spent more time stretching after practice. I also think Dom understands he can't play 70, 75 games. He was very satisfied with the way Mike Babcock used him."

FAST FACTS

Hasek

1. Talk about a diamond in the rough. Hasek, a lock for the Hall of Fame when he decides to call it quits, was originally drafted by the Blackhawks in the 10th round (No. 199 overall) in 1983.

2. Hasek’s career 1.97 GAA in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is second all-time behind Martin Brodeur’s 1.93 average.

Osgood

3. Chris Osgood ranks second all-time among Detroit goalies in playoff games (68), wins (38) and shutouts (nine).

NHL.com's 2007-08 Red Wings Season Preview Package:

Examining the Detroit Red Wings goaltenders

By Evan Grossman - NHL.com Staff Writer

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Examining the Detroit Red Wings goaltenders

By Evan Grossman - NHL.com Staff Writer

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