Detroit Red Wings: Analyzing WAR For Possible 2019 Lineup
By Tyler Kotila
There is no uncertainty that Jimmy Howard is the go-to guy as the Detroit Red Wings netminder this upcoming season, but goalies count towards the WAR totals too, so take a look at how they stacked up.
- Starter: 63% of starts and 3.6 WAR
- Back-up: 37% of starts and 0.7 WAR
NOTE: The percentage of starts was derived based on the ratio of Howard’s starts last year, it was 52 for Howard and 30 for Bernier, which equates to 63% of the starts.
The two goaltenders produced a 4.34 WAR which goes towards the team’s total WAR which will all be covered and clarified on the next slide. When it comes to other possible backups, Calvin Pickard produced a -2.0 WAR and profoundly altered the outcome, and Filip Larsson did not record any NHL stats last year so is not considered in this tool.
Howard is entering his age thirty-five season where his backup is Bernier, while prospect Larsson continues to develop in hopes to be the perfect replacement. Larsson had incredible success at the NCAA level, and Red Wings fans can only hope this success translates at the next level after the Howard/Bernier era is over.
In terms of contracts, Howard is under contract for the 2019-20 season and then becomes an unrestricted free agent. Bernier is on the hook for two more years before he is an unrestricted free agent after the 2020-21 season. Recent signing Calvin Pickard is in the same boat as Bernier when it comes to his contract.