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If there is one thing I'll completely agree with you on, it's that Mrazek always looks a lot more confident out there than a whole lot of starting NHL goalies. Whether he should be at this point might be up for debate, but the kid is no doubt spirited. I absolutely love his fight; it'll serve him well as he continues to develop.

Howie definitely doesn't have it together right now. He may have pushed himself back a little bit too early. From the games I've been able to watch, there were a number of goals where it looked like he gave up on them. I'm not saying he would normally do that, but I think it's an indication that he's still hurting. Mrazek is still young and that means the occasional rookie mistake, but his puck handling just completely changes the game in our favor. I know I've been kind of scoffed at for stating how much it would help, but I hope people have been able to see the difference and might be coming around to it. And I don't mean to be a dick, but let's not forget how Howie injured himself in the first place. I remember when Howard first came up and started splitting starts. I kept thinking "this is the guy? This is our goalie of the future?" Five years later he's improved no doubt, but he still plays like a timid kid. I just don't get that vibe when Mrazek plays.

Whether involved in the conversation or not, you consider yourself "retarded" if you don't verify everyone's posts?

Why do you feel the need to argue everything anyone says? It's almost as if you analyze everything that's written here and try to pick out that one word that you can argue... So what if Datsyuk only assisted on 6 of Tatar's goals? Maybe "fed" wasn't the proper word to use, but can you argue that having Datsyuk on his line doesn't open up some space for Tatar, allowing him to score more? Or are you arguing that Nyquist shouldn't be on a line with Zetterberg for that same reason, despite being 3rd on the team in goals? Or are you seriously just arguing that one misuse of the word "fed"?... I'm sure you agree that Tatar should remain on Datsyuk's wing, so why bother researching such stats just to refute what he was saying? The premise of his argument still stands. Datsyuk and Tatar should be locked on a line together, and I believe Zetterberg and Nyquist should be locked on a line together for the same reason; they work really well together. On the other wing you can throw any one of Cole, Abdelkader, Helm, or Jurco and I'd be fine with that.

This game is called hockey, it should be violent, physical and skilled. If stars want to shine against the so called "lesser skilled but tougher" guys guess what ? Work harder because guys like Prust while not the most talented will work their butt of, If someone crosses the line you simple can't count on the refs the game is too fast and there is too much stuff going on...want to change the open season against so called stars ? Get rid of the instigator problem solved. This season has already been one of it not the most boring since years and I'm sorry but basketball like scores are not going to bring back the excitement...let's make hockey hockey again and then the excitement will come back.

Datsyuk Vs Lovjoy round 2.

With the 8 extremely good young forwards that we have in our system right now (Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Sheahan, Pulkkinen, Athanasiou, Mantha and Larkin) I don't think we have much to worry about up front. I think all of these guys are / could be legit top 6(3) NHL players, and I think it's very possible that at least 1 or 2 could become elite. Defense is definitely our area of weakness right now and in the future in my opinion. We have 4, maybe 5 young defensemen (DeKeyser, Smith, Sproul, Ouellet, Marchenko) that could become top 4 guys. I think either way you look at it, we are set up pretty good when Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Kronwall eventually retire in the next 3-5 years (which by the way, is still a ways away yet...) As for the great Howard vs. Mrazek debate, I still think Howard deserves a shot to prove he is the Red Wings best option in goal for the time being. After all, like many have already pointed out, he was putting up great numbers and having an All-Star year prior to his injury. In saying that, I do believe he should be on a somewhat short leash, and Mrazek stealing the job at this point should be a real option. I don't think you go with the veteran goalie into the playoffs if the rookie is playing substantially better. I've always been a Howard supporter and still am, but I don't buy that the team just happens to show up when Mrazek (or Gustavsson) is in net, and play like s*** when Howard is in net. I think the teams play is a result of the goalies play. It's much easier to get going on the offense when your goalie is making the huge key saves in a game. If the goalie lets in a softie or two, it usually does effect the teams overall play. Howard is very capable in making big time saves from time to time but he is also known to let in a few weak goals at inopportune times. Another obvious contributing factor in the team playing better when Mrazek is in net, is his ability to play the puck. As cliché as it sounds, it really is like having a third defenseman back there. Howard has been awful 1on1 recently and has never learned how to play the puck. Mrazek is pretty good 1on1 due to his aggressive style, and can play the puck as well as any goaltender in the league. The kid oozes confidence and if he's able to string together another few great performances down the stretch and Howard struggles, I think he should be our guy for the playoffs. However, I do still believe it is Howie's job to lose...

Yay, "A Nightmare on Helm Street" is coming back

Why not? If Tatar is allowed to play with one of the best center and get fed goals, Nyquist should have equal opportunity as well. He's still top 3 in goals on team..

They were talking during one of the Wild games about him being a Vezina candidate, and I have to admit that my first thought was, "No way, but maybe the Hart." He's been unreal, but more importantly, the team trusts him, so they are playing better. That's pretty much what the Hart is all about- most valuable to his team.

Way too early to leave Howard hanging heading into the playoffs. He needs more chances to get something going. As much as anyone likes Mrazek, it's tough to say that it's ideal going into the playoffs with a rookie goalie. If we have to, we have to, and I do think Mrazek is a hell of a rookie goalie to be "stuck" with, but we've got a few weeks to see how things play out with Howard before we get too crazy.

So we can probably count that as a loss then. Yes I'm going to be the grumpy old get off my lawn guy until Howard proves me wrong.

I like how I was making a bad joke about the use is Gus for both Nyquist and Monster and you made it into an interesting point.

He's 4th on the team in points...

In response to the topic of this thread: No.

Sly and the Family Stone Park officials after dark

Helm's problems haven't been due to him coming back too soon. He's had a bunch of unrelated injuries. I'm sure if they say he's back, he's ready. He's an important player for us and I want him back ASAP especially as we're setting the stage for the playoffs.

The first quote makes them sound like a couple

Great move by Godlland Very glad we didn't get Phaneuf at this point

Also per Mike Babcock, Petr Mrazek will start on Thursday vs. Florida.

Thank you for reading my article!

He sounds like a great guy. I hope he ends up with a long successful nhl career. Thanks for sharing.

Maple Leafs: Shanahan was driving the tow truck and bailed out just in time.

Haha. See. Somehow he lifted the bag, and took the shot straight to the goochal region.

If they do decide to move him, I hope he scores 4 goals first in their barn When they're not playing the wings