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Red Wings' Howard ready to battle Mrazek for starting job at training camp

Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Howard wants the net back.

The Detroit Red Wings goaltender watched as young Petr Mrazek took the starting job and ran with it into the playoffs after Howard suffered a groin injury in early January, and he's gearing up to earn the No. 1 spot in training camp.

"It's going to be an open battle. The way it should be," Howard said Tuesday. "It wasn't the way I pictured last year ending, but you know it's the way it happened and everyone goes through something like that through the course of their career ... You have to cross that hurdle."

Howard got off to a good enough start to earn an All-Star nod, but was unable to find his game after coming back from the injury. In the end, Mrazek posted better numbers, albeit in fewer games played.

Goalie GP Record Sv% GAA SO
Jimmy Howard 53 23-13-11 .910 2.44 2
Petr Mrazek 29 16-9-2 .918 2.38 3

The decision to roll with Mrazek was made by Mike Babock, who has since moved on. New head coach Jeff Blashill made clear what he wants to see from the pair in camp.

Howard said his new coach told him: "Just go out there and work hard and seize the opportunity. It's there for the taking and just go back out there and reclaim your spot."

And that's exactly what Howard intends to do.

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