Detroit Red Wings Training Camp Preview: Part 3: The Jimmy Howard Show

In our penultimate training camp preview, we looked at how the defensive depth chart might fluctuate as players fight for spots in training camp.

When it comes to goaltending in Detroit, no such fight exists.

Jimmy Howard is the starting goalie, period.

With Chris Osgood retired and career-back-up Ty Conklin in town for at least this season, the number one goalie job in Detroit is firmly established and undisputed.

However, just because Howard is guaranteed the starter's job even before the start of training camp, it doesn't mean he's immune from scrutiny or diminished playing time after.

Though it is difficult to judge a goalie's game through training camp, the focus, consistency and dedication Howard displayed in last season's playoffs better be fully intact when he hits the ice in Traverse City. This if he's to immediately avoid the lion's share of slings and arrows that will start hurtling towards him from the fan base at some point this season.

It is Jimmy Howard's mental readiness and ability to begin his reign as Detroit's top netminder that will be the subject of our discussion here.

We will begin by taking a look at how Jimmy Howard ended his season last year, discuss some of the factors that may improve his play this year, explore what role Ty Conklin might play in Detroit's success this season and finally proffer a prediction of each goalie's stats to end the season.

Jimmy Howard ended last season with a 2.79 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.  Not exactly stellar numbers for a starting netminder, but not atrocious either.

His 37 wins were identical to what he earned the year prior and though he only had two shutouts, he did turn in a few game-saving performances throughout the season.

Howard had a good year last season, but must have a better one this year.

Be it the pressure of assuming the starting role, in earnest, the stress of negotiating his contract extension, or, more personal issues such as adjusting to married life and facing fatherhood for the first time, Howard was not as on his game as he should have been last season.

However, this changed substantially once the playoffs started.

Though the Wings were foiled once again by the San Jose Sharks in the second round, Jimmy Howard contributed mightily to their partial series comeback to force a Game 7 and ended the post-season with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

Howard's showing in the playoffs bodes well for his continued development this year.

It will be interesting to see how much, if at all, Howard is effected by the absence of his friend and mentor Chris Osgood.

Though Ozzie's efforts on the ice didn't do much to contribute to team success over the past two seasons, his guidance and reassurance of Howard off the ice did yield a great many positive results, for the goalie, and the team.

Howard learned how to be a goalie in Detroit, how to handle the pressure of expectations, how to develop his mental toughness and how to win in the playoffs, all by his association with Chris Osgood.

Is he ready to fly on his own, now that Ozzie has left the nest for good?

We'll need to wait to find out.

All things considered, Howard should be well ready to take his game to another level this season.

He's got his two-year extension wrapped up, two playoff years under his belt, a solid core of leadership around him and, will be a father in a matter of weeks.

That's more than enough to play for, even if he will have to do so amid sleepless nights before home games.

As for his back-up, Ty Conklin, history suggests he'll provide a valuable service in Detroit this season.

Having Conklin on hand to spell Howard for 20 or so games this season isn't just giving the starter a chance to take a breath, but, should yield a chance for victory each and every time he's in the net.

Conklin is a career-back-up, and he really doesn't want to be anything else at this point in his life.

He had his best season ever while in Detroit for the 2008-09 season, posting 25 wins and six shutouts, and is already right at home in the Wings' locker room among many long-time friends.

All of that, combined with his continued ability to play a solid game in net should fill him, and his team, with oodles of confidence entering the season.

As I stated earlier, there's not too much one can glean in the way of predictive information on how a goalie will perform during training camp.

Like the teams themselves, one must wait for the regular season to begin to truly ascertain how good, or not so good, a goalie's season will ultimately look.

Still, what's the harm in throwing out some totally baseless numbers in an effort to handicap a goalie's year, eh?

Projected Games Played, Wins, and Losses for Jimmy Howard and Ty Conklin (2011-12):

Jimmy Howard: 62 - 41 -21

Ty Conklin: 20 - 11 -9