Broken 16

So beat out Jimmy Howard for a start. He obviously hasn't done that yet. I never said that's what you said, but maybe thats exactly what Babcock is implying.

I thought babcock was mad at Ozzy for the remarks he made to the press. I think I was wrong upon further thought. By the way, don't think I didn't notice that you conveniently ignored my question about who you would rather have on the PK and why. And please don't try and drag me into your 'so and so is facing inferior teams while the other guy is facing superior teams' logic. Because it's completely flawed and I won't acknowledge it any more.

So, in other words, Osgood is timid in net. That's HIS problem. He's a big boy. I know you really believe this so I'm just gonna let that one go. In other words, Osgood is only better than Howard when he is at his best. My advice to Osgood is to get his ass to being at his best if he wants to play.

Howard has no reason to not be confident. Zero. Ozzie has been known to string together a few stinkers. What makes you think Howard isn't the same, or better at it? I'm pretty sure Babcock is more aware of Jimmy Howards mental state than you are. I played goalie for one season on an inline league once. I hated it. When has Howard had multiple bad outings this season? His outing in Anaheim wasn't bad. So, his confidence destroying string of bad outings hasn't even begun yet.

Howard has still looked better on the PK. He battles harder. I've seen him physically push players (even his own!) out of the way to get to the puck so he can freeze it. Osgood has taken more of a 'sit back in the net and hope it hits me' mentality into his PK's. At least, that's how it looks to me. Our PK has been a MAJOR Achilles heel this season. Howards size and athleticism give him an edge in that department. Factor in that he appears to battle harder, and I can fully see why Babcock would prefer Howard in net. Be honest... this season so far, who would you rather have in net for a PK? Why? Edit: Obviously the emergence of Eaves and Janik as penalty killers has helped. No doubt. I'll even buy that they are the MAIN reason. But not the ONLY reason. That's why this argument is so stupid (far be it from me to avoid a stupid argument). Hockey teams aren't built on absolutes. Sure... there are main reasons for everything. Doesn't mean it's the only reason. Far from it 99% of the time.

Howards confidence will be fine. Jesus... you people act like hockey players are fragile little flowers. Like I said in another thread, Osgood s*** the bed big time early in his career against San Jose. Let in a weak goal in a game 7. Cried during a news interview. He turned out ok.

Funniest comment I've read on this thread is the notion that Jimmy Howard is overworked. That's a stretch. After reading Babcock's comments, I seriously doubt there is a personal vendetta. I think the major reason Babcock is keeping Howard in is because our PK has improved drastically since Howard has been getting a majority of the starts. Osgood has looked awful on the PK. That's the trump card I think. *Queue Outsider with a million meaningless, skewed stats to show otherwise*

I was thinking the same thing. With McCollum and Larsson in the system, and ready to go (sorta), maybe Osgood isn't part of the long term plans anymore. The emergence of Howard almost makes having Osgood redundant. Maybe he's on his way out the door.

Where do you find this s***?

Except the notion of Howard being mentally scarred or wrecked at some point due to Babcock's decisions. IMO, there is no such thing as 'bad experience' as long as you have a strong support system. I think Howard will be just fine regardless of the outcome. Look at Osgood... he crashed and burned against San Jose way back in the day. Even cried on the news. He turned out pretty good. I was championing riding Jimmy until he had a bad game (or lost, whichever came first) then giving Osgood a chance. Babcock surprises again. I just hope it isn't a vendetta. That would be bad.

No... please.

Ya... this definitely, kinda, sorta makes it official that Osgood is in the doghouse.

I never expected that. Maybe that stuff Osgood said to the press pissed Babs off a little? HUGE game for Howard.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! Here we go!

What about the people that had ill will towards him before this incident? This is like a double bonus for me. I despise people who drink and drive and I also despise Chelios. This is like LGW utopia for me.

That was a tongue in cheek response, but I do remember reading something about Pav's wife being unhappy. Relax.

Ya... except that the guy leaving the sports bar is probably texting while he's driving too. They should legalize blindfolded driving. Why not? There are a bunch of other distractions anyway. If we add up enough wrongs, maybe they will magically turn into a right.

You right. So compound all the other distractions with booze. Great plan. Besides. Nothing else you listed affects your state of mind. Unless you really, really like Big Macs.

I didn't take anything out of context. You downplayed having one drink and driving like it was no big deal. People do it all the time, so it must not be a big deal. It is. And it's people with that attitude that make it a big deal, because they obviously don't get it. If you (not you personally) wanna get blasted and drive up and down your driveway taking out your own hedges and trash cans, be my guest. But don't get on the road where innocent people are. Seems like a no brainer to me. I've already stated earlier in this thread that I have definitely made that mistake in the past. I haven't driven with a drink in me in well over 10 years. And never will again. Not even one. The fact that I was a complete idiot in the past doesn't make the point any less valid.

At least someone who is completely blasted is easier to spot on the road. In my opinion, the people who have had only a couple and think they are driving fine are way more dangerous. All it takes is the slightest drop in awareness and you could be toast. Booze does that. Even in small doses.

This is where we disagree. I've been on both ends of the spectrum. Young and dumb and older and wiser. People underestimate how dangerous driving from point A to point B actually is without any booze involved. If a single drink impairs you, even slightly, you've just increased the odds of making a mistake on the road and killing/seriously injuring an innocent person. But go ahead... continue to downplay impaired driving. Hopefully nobody takes it to heart and makes a fatal mistake.

It's pretty obvious who's life hasn't been affected by a drunk driver. My ex sister in law was hit by an impaired driver. She suffered a head injury and has never been the same. The guy wasn't blasted (I was there, in a different car). He only had a few drinks. He chose to drive that way and now she suffers for the rest of her life because of it. But you're right... driving while impaired is no big deal.

The player is immaterial. We have to find ANY Russian player who's wife has chemistry with Pav's wife. The NHL is all about chemistry. You know that.

Something was written a while back about Datsyuk's marriage. Supposedly, his wife is very unhappy and lonely. The hope is that if the Wings get another Russian player, Dat's wife will have someone to gossip and go shopping with. Thus making her happy... which will in turn make Pavel happy... which will in turn transform Pavel into a perennial Hart finalist. Could work.

I always get excited. Because the next one could be the one that starts a 40% clip through the rest of the season! Still waiting.