Detroit Red Wings: Evaluating future goaltending options
By Tyler Samson
As of late, the Detroit Red Wings goaltending has been fairly decent, but it is bound to be a problem in the near future.
So far, Detroit Red Wings goaltenders Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier have been lights out in the 2018-19 season. They’ve kept their team in games they did not deserve to be in and have even managed to steal some points. However, the streak of good goaltending is destined to end soon.
Howard is 34 years old and on the last year of his current contract, which has prompted trade talks. Meanwhile, Bernier is 30 years old and has had his ups and downs throughout the season.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill has accredited much of the Red Wings’ success this season to the goaltending. Howard has posted an impressive 2.67 GAA and .923 save percentage for the 2018-19 season. His goaltending brilliance has helped the Red Wings win countless games and move them above .500.
Unfortunately, with the trade deadline lurking just around the corner, Howard is likely to be traded. On the last year of his deal and at 34 years old, it is unlikely that Howard fits into the long-term plans in Detroit, making a trade almost certain.
Bernier has been a decent backup goalie for the Wings with a 3.66 GAA and a .884 save percentage. With two more years left, after the completion of the 2018-19 season, it is likely that he will fill a starter role if the Wings trade away Howard. The 30-year-old goaltender has spent a majority of his career as a backup goalie but has been a starter at times in Toronto and Colorado.
The goaltending for the Grand Rapids Griffins has been suspect, as both goalies are in their mid to late twenties and are posting less than staggering numbers. Harri Sateri, 28 years old, is Grand Rapids’ starting goalie. He has a 3.26 GAA and a .884 save percentage. Patrik Rybar, 25 years old, is the most promising, young goaltender the Wings have in the AHL. He has a 2.52 GAA and a .902 save percentage.
If they trade Howard, expect to see them start Bernier and have Rybar fill in as a backup. This will likely be the goalie rotation for the Wings for this season and possibly next while Kaden Fulcher develops in the minors.
Next. Early Trade Deadline Predictions For Each Team. dark
Fulcher is a 20-year-old goaltender for the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL. After signing with the Wings for three years in the offseason, Fulcher has an impressive 2.84 GAA and a .910 save percentage. It is likely that Fulcher is the Wings’ goalie of the future and will take a season or two to develop to an NHL ready goalie. As for now, the Wings must utilize Howard, Bernier, Sateri and Rybar as best as they can.