The Detroit Red Wings announced that goalie Jimmy Howard is sidelined day-to-day with a back injury.
#RedWings Blashill said Howard day to day but expects to use a local goalie for practice tomorrow in Carolina.
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) December 19, 2018
Jimmy Howard Injured
Howard was injured in warmups before Tuesday’s game the Philadelphia Flyers. Jonathan Bernier stepped in to take the Syracuse, New York native’s place in between the pipes. Justin Kowalkoski served as the emergency goalie on standby in case Bernier got hurt.
The 35-year-old is 10-7-4 in 23 games this season with a 2.69 goals against average. He has a .922 save percentage in the 2018-19 season.
Howard has only played for the Detroit Red Wings in his 13-year NHL career. He has a 231-158-67 record in 484 career games. The former University of Maine product has a 2.50 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. Howard has also registered 24 shutouts in his career. The Detroit Red Wings originally drafted Howard in the second round, 64th overall of the 2003 NHL draft.
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What This Means for the Future
Bernier will get a lot more time in net with Howard’s absence and he is capable of starting for long stretches. This is Bernier’s chance to audition for the Red Wings’ number one spot if Howard is gone at the trade deadline or in the off-season.
Patrik Rybar and Harri Sateri are the two goalies currently currently with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Rybar is 6-4-3 with a 2.52 goals against average but Sateri has NHL experience with the Florida Panthers.
The injury will affect Howard’s trade value if he’s out for a long time. His contract is up at the end of the year and is possible trade bait. He could fetch a nice return if he’s healthy. Howard plenty of experience and would be a nice backup option or a No. 1.
Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard makes a save. (Getty Images)
