Ansar Khan of Mlive answers questions from the fans...

Q: What is going on with the Red Wings’ goaltending situation, now and in the future? Is this the last year for (Jimmy) Howard? Why was (Jonathan) Bernier signed for three years? Why not one or two years? Are any kids in the system close to making the jump (to the NHL)?

A: Howard is entering the final year of his contract. I think the Red Wings will sign him to a one- or two-year extension. None of their junior/college/European prospects is close to being NHL-ready. I believe the organization would prefer Howard, even at age 35 in March, over Grand Rapids goalies Harri Sateri and Patrik Rybar in 2019-20. And it appears to be a thin free-agent market for goalies in 2019, assuming Sergei Bobrovsky (Columbus) and Pekka Rinne (Nashville) sign with their teams.

I think they will have a Howard-Bernier tandem for the next two or three years.

Bernier wasn’t going to sign for one year and they might not have gotten him for two years. They felt comfortable with three years because it’s safe to assume none of their prospects will be NHL-ready during that time.

read on for more Q & A including more goalie talk and do the Wings need to tough guy...