Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Osgood Gets Three More

On Wednesday, we had our second contract extension of the week. It's surely becoming the new vogue for the NHL. You're encouraged to lock-up some of your stars for the long-term, if at all possible.

This is what Chris Osgood (Dale C.) received... a 3-year contract extension that should pay him roughly $1.5 million per year, up from $800,000 that he is making this season.

In terms of pool numbers, if he was taken at the beginning of the season, he ranks 7th in points (wins, shutouts & assists) amongst all the goaltenders in the league, while playing half the minutes of the top six. He is tied for 1st in league in save percentage and leads the league in goals against average.

All of these numbers, for a younger keeper, would probably earn him a deal worth at least $4 million per year, but the 3-year deal at his age (35) is probably more important than the actual value of the deal.

Putting the wealth of goaltending talent in perspective to the rest of the league... between Osgood and Dominik Hasek (John B.), they have a combined 31 wins and 4 shutouts, which would be a combined 70 points. If either one were to be that good and have Evgeni Nabokov (Wes) minutes doing it, which are all but 43 this season for the Sharks, that keeper would have 70 points... 15 better than Nabokov.

The Red Wings are blessed with two veteran keepers that can not only win, but can play in a platoon situation for vitality and longevity through the year. It is sure a working model for regular season success.

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