NHL Free Agents 2011: Detroit Red Wings Goaltender Chris Osgood to Retire

The Detroit Red Wings and goaltender Chris Osgood are set to announce Osgood's retirement from the NHL later today, NHL.com reports.

The Detroit Free Press had reported yesterday that Osgood would come back for another year but have amended that after today's revelation.

Osgood retires after 16 seasons in the NHL, the majority of which were spent with the Red Wings. He joins former teammates Brian Rafalski and Doug Weight, who also retired this offseason.

Osgood played only 11 games in the 2010-11 season, as he was impeded by a groin injury that eventually required sports hernia surgery.

It's unknown if the nagging injury forced the 38-year-old to retire or if he retired since he was no longer needed as the starting goaltender.  

Osgood was the 10th goaltender to reach 400 career victories and was in net for two of the Wings Stanley Cup championships. Most recently, Osgood helped the Wings to a Game 7 in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals.

Osgood will remain with the organization though, as a goalie consultant, according to NHL.com.

This is good for both sides. It seemed like the time for Osgood to retire, and his new role could be good for starter Jimmy Howard, helping to further the development of the young goaltender.

The Wings are now charged with finding a replacement backup goaltender for Howard. The name at the top of the list is supposedly former Wing and veteran goalie Ty Conklin, who is a free agent.

Other free agents still available are Marty Turco and Ray Emery. This gives the Wings plenty of options to back up Howard in 2011-12.