Many thanks to Temo on Facebook for the tip here:
Add another team/player to the goalie market: DET and Jimmy Howard. Howard, 36, said he was “probably not” going to continue with the Red Wings, but squashed rumours he was retiring, saying, “Someone is going to have to tell me I can’t play anymore”…
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 20, 2020
and that last year is not the way he wants to finish his career. He added he’s been training for two months in preparation, and that he’s discussed with his family the possibility of moving away for a year if somewhere close to home is not an option.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 20, 2020
I still believe that there’s a possibility that the Wings re-sign Howard on an economical deal, but that’s just me.
Update: Here’s a bit more, from Sportsnet:
Jimmy Howard, who has spent his entire 14-year NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, has said he was “probably not” going to continue playing for Detroit, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Saying farewell to the Motor City does not mean walking away from hockey altogether, though, as Howard also squashed rumours of his potential retirement.
“Someone is going to have to tell me I can’t play anymore,” Howard said, according to Friedman.
The 36-year-old indicated that the way last season ended — with a 2-27 record, his worst as a starter, a 4.20 goals-against average and a .882 save percentage — was not how he wanted to finish his career.
To that end, Howard added he has been training for two months to prepare for a return to the game and has discussed with his family the possibility of moving away for a year if playing somewhere closer to home is not an option.
With those stats (even with a very young and porous defense) I think he will have play very far away. The idea of him playing for the Wings at a very low salary (with incentives ( better than last year)) might work.
The reality is any goalie is going to have tough time getting average numbers.
Time to look across the pond for a goalie or two. Russian seems to be the place at this time.
A real goalie is low on my priority list but who know what StevieY is thinking.