‘I want to keep playing’: Detroit Red Wings Jimmy Howard isn’t thinking about retiring

Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard is setting his sights on next season with no desire to step away from the game.

Howard, 36, has spent his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings playing 543 games after being drafted in the second round of the 2003 draft.

“I want to keep playing,” Howard told The Detroit News’ Ted Kulfan. “This year left such a bitter taste in my mouth. I want to go out there and show people I can still play in this league – I know I’m capable.”

Set to hit free agency this offseason, Howard says his career-worst numbers this year — a 2-23-2 record and a .882 save percentage — aren’t indicative of his ability as a goalie.

“I personally don’t believe I represent those number (statistics), but I was a big part of the program (losing),” Howard said. “I got in my own way a lot instead of letting the play to come. I was overthinking things. I was in my head and tinkering with stuff instead of just saying, ‘You can do this,’ and have the confidence to go out and do it.”

“I love this state, this city, and this city is home to us now. I would want to finish my career a Red Wing,” Howard said. “But at the same time, I’ve been around this game long enough to realize there comes a time when you have to separate ties. If that’s the way it’ll have to go, I’ve mentally prepared for that. My wife and I have talked about it a little bit, and if that’s going to be the case, it’ll have to be the case.”

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