Red Wings bring MacDonald back

7/12/2011

DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a two-year contract with Joey MacDonald, bringing the 31-year-old veteran back as the team’s No. 3 goaltender.

Detroit hasn’t settled the question of who else will be around to back up starter Jimmy Howard, but the Red Wings felt MacDonald was worth keeping in the system. He went 5-5-3 with a 2.58 goals-against average in 15 games for Detroit last season. He also played in 20 games for Grand Rapids of the AHL.

“He gives us good depth, gives us good insurance,” general manager Ken Holland said.

Detroit signed Howard to a two-year, $4.5 million deal in February, but the rest of its goalie situation has been somewhat muddled. Chris Osgood, the team’s No. 2 goalie last season, played in only 11 games — none after undergoing sports hernia surgery in January.

MacDonald stepped in to back up Howard.

He posted a .917 save percentage.