Chris Osgood

It has never been a smooth sailing for Chris Osgood. A talented goalkeeper Osgood has often found himself overshadowed by other goaltenders in the team. Even his start was a delayed one. He was drafted by Detroit Red Wings in 1991 but it was only in the 1993-94 season that he got his first big chance to showcase his talent.

Even in that season Osgood was used as the back up for Mike Vernon, and did not get sufficient playing time even though the Red Wings reached the Stanley Cup finals. The next season was no better because the Red Wings made a premature exit.

It was only in 1996-1997 that Osgood came to be noticed. He assisted Vernon to help Red Wings lift their first Stanley Cup in 42 years. This was followed by another Stanley Cup victory. This time Osgood was the number one goalie for the  Red Wings, and lapped up all the accolades that came his way.

The Red Wings wining spree Red Wings was halted after these back-to-back wins, but Osgood continued to be the side’s number one goalie till 2000-2001 season. The acquisition of star goalie Dominik Hasek by the Red Wings in the following season saw a plunge in Osgood’s fortunes. He moved to the New York Islanders in 2001, and was traded to the St. Louis Blues in 2003 despite recording a winning season.

Osgood had another trying time when the Blues acquired Patrick Lalime in 2004. His contract was not renewed, and he would have been out on a limb but for Red Devils who bought him back. Click here to add this page to your favorites

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