Goaltending has quickly become the biggest question mark within the Detroit Red Wings organization. Outside of Jimmy Howard (who has one year left on his contract) and Patrick Rybar, the wings have no goalies under contract. Petr Mrazek ended up flopping and Jared Coreau showed he was nothing more than an AHL goaltender.

What could now be the first of a very long goalie carousal, Detroit is looking for a backup. Ideally one that could have a Devan Dubnyk like Renaissance to replace the aging Howard. The team has stocked up on goalies the last few years – two this past draft – but those prospects are still years away before know what their true potential is.

A few options are available. Steve Mason via trade is one I would strongly consider (see thought 11). Looking at the free agency market there are some interesting names that fit the bill.

Jonathan Bernier looks to be the leading candidate in Motown. It’s expected to be a three-year deal, although the salary could be determined by the rest of the market. Matt Cane is predicting a two-year worth 3.1M per year.

The former 1st round puck spent this past season with the Colorado Avalanche. He posted a .913 save percentage in thirty-seven games. The year prior with the Anaheim Ducks he recorded a .915 save percentage in thirty-nine games. Both of which are inline with his career .914 save percentage.

The past two seasons he has shown he is a more than capable backup. He also has starter experience, being the Toronto Maple Leafs number one net-minder for two seasons, which is a bonus with Howard being injury prone.

The soon to be thirty year old could be the perfect stop-gap for another prospect. He was great down the stretch for the Avs and could certainly take over for Howard after this season.

Carter Hutton is the most sought after goaltender on the UFA market. The thirty-two year is coming off a phenomenal season with the St. Louis Blues where he put up a .931 save percentage in thirty-two games. He is one of the most reliable backups in the league, but with a career high of only forty games in a season he’s a mystery if he can take on a starters job.

That didn’t scare away teams with Hutton believed to be signing a three-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Cane is predicting a two-year deal worth 3.1M per year. With the uncertainty of his ability to be a starter he might not be Detroit’s best option as some flexibility for Howard’s future would be nice.

Robin Lehner is an interesting case. At twenty-six years old the Sabres chose not to qualify him. Now a UFA, he brings the most potential to the table. Detroit has already met with the Swedish net-minder.

Lehner’s past season in large past was the Sabres reasoning to cut ties. He went 14-26-9 with a .908 save percentage as the Sabres plummeted down the standings. Yet, his 2015-16 season showed much promise with .920 save percentage in fifty-nine games.

With Lehner, Detroit would be getting a young-ish goaltender with something to prove. There are questions about his character, being known to have a temper. But is Detroit really in a position to let an oppertunity like this slip away? Cane is predicting a two-year deal worth 3.6M per year.

Cam Ward would be a very conservative signing. He is nothing more than a short-term fix for the backup position. His best days are behind him and would most likely receive a one-year deal, with Cane predicting a one-year deal worth 2.8M.

If Detroit has second thoughts about signing one of the bigger name goalies on a multi-year contract Ward could be a very appealing option.

Not a name you were expecting. Serebryakov is a twenty-two year old Russian goalie who has split time in the KHL and VHL. He isn’t necessarily meant to solve the backup position, but he is a youthful player that the Wings could develop in the AHL, and give Rybar some competition.

Wings Nation contributor Thomas Williams went more in-depth on him here:

Detroit needs goaltenders. They’ve added to the prospect pool as of late, but the current state of the team is in desperate need of one. A backup plan for Howard is what I would be searching for, but there are some other holes to fill. Grand Rapids could use a plan-B if Rybar doesn’t end well. Bernier and Serebryakov make a lot of sense. They both fill current needs and address the position for about the next three years.

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