Will Manny Legace become an Osgood and go back to Detroit when Osgood retires and win the CUP?

Question

He was unfairly blamed for the Loss to EDM after the lockout. (young team leaders, Zata was a rook) Manny Legace has always been a good goalie. He proved that in St Louis this year with no defense! Is that the next Detroit HOMECOMING... as we DET fans know.... they always bring back guys at one point or another!

Answer 1

I'm not sure if I can see this happening.   I remember right before Manny left, there was an article in the Detroit Free Press where he was basically running his mouth and talking about how if he couldn't be the starting goalie and play at least 60-65 games (kind of like what Hasek said before his retirement), then he didn't want to be on the Wings because he wasn't going to play backup to Ozzie again.  Detroit fans are very forgiving, but that article really made me turn my back on him after that despite the fact that he was a very good goalie.   I hate it when athletes get cocky.

At this point, the Wings are thinking about bringing Jimmy Howard up from Grand Rapids next season and having him play backup to Ozzie so that he can get some real NHL experience (more than the couple of games that he's been in).  There was an article about Howard in the Free Press saying that they think he could be a great goalie and possibly the starting goaltender once Ozzie retires.

Answer 2

Long shot

Answer 3

Manny is good but I don't think he likes being in the spotlight.  He seems to do much better when he is under the radar as a backup or in a smaller market like St. Louis.

Answer 4

I just can't see it happening.  He seems to be doing real well in St. Louis and they seem to like him there.



But then he does fit the description of experienced backup goalie/competition for Howard if he would accept that role.



I guess it wouldn't be much of a surprise to see him back sometime.



BTW, I for one think Howard could fully handle being backup next season.

Answer 5

Manny left because it was all or nothing - he didn't want to be backup to anybody.  Ozzie came back as backup because he wanted to return to Detroit.  I don't think Manny left with the love in his heart that Ozzie did.  

Don't get me wrong, I love Manny - but Osgood handles the pressure better, IMO.

Answer 6

Given the circumstances under which he left, his return to Detroit isn't very likely.   We'd probably see Kozlov or Lapointe come back before he does, and they aren't likely to come back either.

Answer 7

It is funny how all of the experts here know what is going to happen.  Who really thought that Chris Osgood would be back in Detriot five years ago?  Not I or anyone else.  It wouldn't surprise me if Legace was back in Detriot at sometime, but if he isn't then not a big shock either.  Based on Manny's character he would probably be a good fit.  

Oh and off the subject I hope Tiger Woods wins the US Open for all you Y/A Hockey section losers who can't let this whole no one watches hockey go.

Answer 8

I had to do a little research to backup my memory.  Here are the stats for St. Louis:

2002-03   41 Wins, 24 losses, 11 ties, 6 OTL

2003-04   39 Wins, 30 losses, 11 ties, 2 OTL

2005-06   21 Wins, 46 Losses, 15 OTL

2006-07   34 Wins, 35 Losses, 13 OTL

2007-08   32 Wins, 43 Losses, 7 OTL

Now in:

2002-03 -  they primarily used Brent Johnson (38 GP) & Fred Brathwaite (30 GP)

2003-04 -  they had Osgood (67 GP), Johnson (10), & Divis (10)

2005-06 -  they had Sanford (34 GP), Bacashihua (19), Lalime (31), & Divis (12) (What a year)

2006-07 -  they primarily used Legace (45 GP), Sanford (31)

2007-08 -  they had Legace (66 GP) & Toivonen (23)

My point of this is the Blues have not had a defense in YEARS.  I wouldn’t pinpoint it on just this year.  I mean look at the 2002-03 season…Johsnon and Brathwaite were doing better and Barret Jackman was the BEST D-man on their team.    Don’t get me wrong, I like Legace…he was my hockey pool goalie.  He is a good goaltender.  I just don’t think that you can’t expect him to pull off what Osgood had this year.  I am not sure if Detroit will want him back, but I can see your pattern.

Sorry, I got a little off topic.  I need some coffee.

Answer 9

hopefully

Answer 10

hope so.

I am a Leaf fan but I must tip my hat to the Red wings for being always at the top, cap or no cap.

I hope Sundin re-signs with Toronto but a small piece of me wishes he would sign with a team like Detroit so he can have a real chance for a cup that he so very much deserves, just like Legace deserves a chance......he sure is good enough.

Answer 11

I wouldn't be suprised to see him back in red and white in the future.  I always loved Manny in net and hated seeing him get turned against after the Edmenton series.  Maybe, just maybe, we could see Legace on the bench this year splitting time with Osgood.

IMO trade Lilja, a pick, and Rasheed Wallace from the Pistons for Legace.  Rasheed can drive the Zamboni or something.

Answer 12

i thinking about 4 or 5 years