Detroit Red Wings: Is there a goaltending dilemma?

Jimmy Howard had a strong first half of the 2018-19 season but had a terrible second half, which leaves the Detroit Red Wings contemplating who starts the 2019-20 season.

In the first half (the first game to the All-Star break) of the 2018-19 season, Jimmy Howard reigned the net for the Detroit Red Wings and posted impressive numbers for an underperforming team. Howard’s performance in the first half earned him a spot on the Atlantic Division’s All-Star team, in which he was the only Red Wings player to get selected to play.

However, after the All-Star break and signing a one-year contract extension with the Wings, the 35-year-old goaltender’s performance declined and he traded off starting duties with backup Jonathan Bernier.

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While Bernier’s first half of the season was nothing short of dreadful, he rebounded in the second half and proved to be just as effective as Howard.

In the 2018-19 season, Howard played 55 games (won 23 and lost 22), started 52 games, had zero shutouts, posted a 3.07 GAA, and recorded a .909 save percentage. Comparatively, Bernier played 35 games (won nine and lost 18), started 30 games, recorded one shutout, posted a 3.16 GAA and held a .904 save percentage.

Statistically, Jimmy Howard is the better goaltender, but Bernier put forth an argument in the back half of the 2018-19 season that he could hold a starting role. The 31-year-old goaltender has two more years left on his contract, making him a Red Wing at least until the 2020-21 season.

Going into the 2019-20 season, Howard is likely to start in net.  The Syracuse native is likely going to be a highly coveted trade piece at the trade deadline. Therefore, it is likely the Wings will want to showcase Howard and utilize him as much as they can before they ship him off.

After the deadline, it is likely Bernier will take over the starting duties in net and the Wings will call up a goalie prospect from Grand Rapids.

Regardless of who starts the 2019-20 season, the Wings need to look for a goalie to lead this franchise in the near future. Howard and Bernier are not long-term pieces, but they fill the role until the Wings find their goalie of the future.