Dynheart

I'm not understanding the Rag's fans. They lost. So what is they put a lot of shots on net. Whoop-dee-doo. How many games/series has the Wings lost over the years looking like that? It's about the timely goals; and this team has that in spades.
Lack of skill? Whatever. You can't be the number 1 PP in the league without skill. Honest opinion? Sore losers. They expected to wipe the floor with the Wings, because you know...they are the supposed "cup favorites". The Wings? This team was never supposed to make it to the playoffs according to critics and HFboards "critics", so as far as they are concerned? Over achievers AKA just a bubble team, AKA easy win.
Looks like they are a fan base that doesn't know how to handle the success of the team they root for. Horrible winners, and sore losers. Hate to read the web-sites I go to if they win the cup. Ugh.
Do I think this team can go all the way? Small chance. Do I think this team can make a huge splash? Hell, yea! Much bigger than any other fan base give this team credit for. I predict some salt coming the other way come playoff time courtesy of the Red Wings.
Side note. Whats with the personal attacks? So the RED WINGS win, and they say crap like "at least I don't live there." Really? Stay classy, eh.

I'm not understanding the Rag's fans. They lost. So what is they put a lot of shots on net. Whoop-dee-doo. How many games/series has the Wings lost over the years looking like that? It's about the timely goals; and this team has that in spades.
Lack of skill? Whatever. You can't be the number 1 PP in the league without skill. Honest opinion? Sore losers. They expected to wipe the floor with the Wings, because you know...they are the supposed "cup favorites". The Wings? This team was never supposed to make it to the playoffs according to critics and HFboards "critics", so as far as they are concerned? Over achievers AKA just a bubble team, AKA easy win.
Looks like they are a fan base that doesn't know how to handle the success of the team they root for. Horrible winners, and sore losers. Hate to read the web-sites I go to if they win the cup. Ugh.
Do I think this team can go all the way? Small chance. Do I think this team can make a huge splash? Hell, yea! Much bigger than any other fan base give this team credit for. I predict some salt coming the other way come playoff time courtesy of the Red Wings.
Side note. Whats with the personal attacks? So the RED WINGS win, and they say crap like "at least I don't live there." Really? Stay classy, eh.

I'm not understanding the Rag's fans. They lost. So what is they put a lot of shots on net. Whoop-dee-doo. How many games/series has the Wings lost over the years looking like that? It's about the timely goals; and this team has that in spades.
Lack of skill? Whatever. You can't be the number 1 PP in the league without skill. Honest opinion? Sore losers. They expected to wipe the floor with the Wings, because you know...they are the supposed "cup favorites". The Wings? This team was never supposed to make it to the playoffs according to critics and HFboards "critics", so as far as they are concerned? Over achievers AKA just a bubble team, AKA easy win.
Looks like they are a fan base that doesn't know how to handle the success of the team they root for. Horrible winners, and sore losers. Hate to read the web-sites I go to if they win the cup. Ugh.
Do I think this team can go all the way? Small chance. Do I think this team can make a huge splash? Hell, yea! Much bigger than any other fan base give this team credit for. I predict some salt coming the other way come playoff time courtesy of the Red Wings.
Side note. Whats with the personal attacks? So the RED WINGS win, and they say crap like "at least I don't live there." Really? Stay classy, eh.

Let's be frank, just about every rookie (save for the very bad ones) comes up to the NHL and looks like the next Roy. That is until the league figures them out. Then all of the sudden those .939 1.34 back to back seasons (playing only 18 games or so) dip down drastically to something like ...885. Back to the AHL they go. Maybe a couple of them will be seen in the NHL a couple of years from now as a back up. Or they just fade away, and those rookie seasons get chalked up as flukes.
Mrazek is lumped in with these very same rookies until he's proven. I'm not too quick to jump on a boat that I've seen way too many times...that just ends up sinking. And for that reason, there's no reason to shorten Howards leash...on an already shortened leash by the fans.
Is Mrazek Talented? He looks like it. But he's certainly not ready to take over Jimmy's job.
@toby91: Every goalie goes through rough patches. Even the top 5 that people always drool over. That's why you look at the big picture. Not a hand full of games here and there that can be cherry picked to make a case that the goalie is just plain average (see, I have proof! he went on a stretch of 8 games where he averaged .905).
The man may not have elite stretches as good as the top 5. But when he has his low points, he still performs on par, with you average goalie. I rarely see Howard get lit up for more than 4. And that's rare. It's 1-2, with an occasional 3. 4 being a bad game. He's let in more than 4 throughout his career, but I'm sure there's maybe a dozen of them. He just plods along with 1-2/occasional 3 goals against for the majority of career. To me, his consistency is constantly understated. Never elite. But never really bad. And people talk as if this is a bad thing.

Let's be frank, just about every rookie (save for the very bad ones) comes up to the NHL and looks like the next Roy. That is until the league figures them out. Then all of the sudden those .939 1.34 back to back seasons (playing only 18 games or so) dip down drastically to something like ...885. Back to the AHL they go. Maybe a couple of them will be seen in the NHL a couple of years from now as a back up. Or they just fade away, and those rookie seasons get chalked up as flukes.
Mrazek is lumped in with these very same rookies until he's proven. I'm not too quick to jump on a boat that I've seen way too many times...that just ends up sinking. And for that reason, there's no reason to shorten Howards leash...on an already shortened leash by the fans.
Is Mrazek Talented? He looks like it. But he's certainly not ready to take over Jimmy's job.
@toby91: Every goalie goes through rough patches. Even the top 5 that people always drool over. That's why you look at the big picture. Not a hand full of games here and there that can be cherry picked to make a case that the goalie is just plain average (see, I have proof! he went on a stretch of 8 games where he averaged .905).
The man may not have elite stretches as good as the top 5. But when he has his low points, he still performs on par, with you average goalie. I rarely see Howard get lit up for more than 4. And that's rare. It's 1-2, with an occasional 3. 4 being a bad game. He's let in more than 4 throughout his career, but I'm sure there's maybe a dozen of them. He just plods along with 1-2/occasional 3 goals against for the majority of career. To me, his consistency is constantly understated. Never elite. But never really bad. And people talk as if this is a bad thing.

I really don't understand the flak Howard gets, or the short, SHORT, leash he's been given.
For some reason, he's been labeled an barely average- average goalie. It almost seems like the fans, or just hockey fans in general, are hypocritical about the guy.
Barely average-average= a .900-.910. .915 on a good year? Maybe 60% at the shootout?
If that's what we expect from Howard, then last season he shouldn't have really been crucified. He played within his talent level, accord to most. You see, to me, Barely average- average goalies do not post .920+ the majority of their career (so far). To me, until his average season last season, an average goalie doesn't post around 75% in the shootout, consistently. To me, that's high end of above average goal tending. Or has he just been overachieving his whole career? And don't tell be it's because of the stout defense we put out on that ice. /sarcasm
Oh, but what about this year's shootout numbers! Statistical anomalies happen. You just don't go from one of the better shootout goalies, to the worst, without a reason. I'm sure it will be fixed.
Mrazek has talent. But he's far from ready. He has had the benefit of an offensive burst from the Wings right now. Sure it's a team game. But had it been Howard it net letting in those very same goals? The man would be on GOAT status, if he isn't there already.
Mrazek can't catch a puck. He can't swallow a puck. Sure Jimmy's rebound control was bad, but not this bad. It was mostly Jimmy's kick saves (as still kind of there) that were the problem. Never a glove issue, or swallowing the puck...to this degree.
I feel like Mrazek supporters are on a high right now because "he's winning". But once there's a stretch where he needs to squeeze points from 5-6 1 goal games in a row. I know Jimmy can do it. Mrazek? I'm not so sure. And as excited as some people are, and as I am, I'm not ready to hand over the reigns to the kid until he's 100% better than Jimmy. And Jimmy is a realllly good goal tender. It won't be an easy take over, no matter how we try to conjure up a scenario.

I really don't understand the flak Howard gets, or the short, SHORT, leash he's been given.
For some reason, he's been labeled an barely average- average goalie. It almost seems like the fans, or just hockey fans in general, are hypocritical about the guy.
Barely average-average= a .900-.910. .915 on a good year? Maybe 60% at the shootout?
If that's what we expect from Howard, then last season he shouldn't have really been crucified. He played within his talent level, accord to most. You see, to me, Barely average- average goalies do not post .920+ the majority of their career (so far). To me, until his average season last season, an average goalie doesn't post around 75% in the shootout, consistently. To me, that's high end of above average goal tending. Or has he just been overachieving his whole career? And don't tell be it's because of the stout defense we put out on that ice. /sarcasm
Oh, but what about this year's shootout numbers! Statistical anomalies happen. You just don't go from one of the better shootout goalies, to the worst, without a reason. I'm sure it will be fixed.
Mrazek has talent. But he's far from ready. He has had the benefit of an offensive burst from the Wings right now. Sure it's a team game. But had it been Howard it net letting in those very same goals? The man would be on GOAT status, if he isn't there already.
Mrazek can't catch a puck. He can't swallow a puck. Sure Jimmy's rebound control was bad, but not this bad. It was mostly Jimmy's kick saves (as still kind of there) that were the problem. Never a glove issue, or swallowing the puck...to this degree.
I feel like Mrazek supporters are on a high right now because "he's winning". But once there's a stretch where he needs to squeeze points from 5-6 1 goal games in a row. I know Jimmy can do it. Mrazek? I'm not so sure. And as excited as some people are, and as I am, I'm not ready to hand over the reigns to the kid until he's 100% better than Jimmy. And Jimmy is a realllly good goal tender. It won't be an easy take over, no matter how we try to conjure up a scenario.

I really don't understand the flak Howard gets, or the short, SHORT, leash he's been given.
For some reason, he's been labeled an barely average- average goalie. It almost seems like the fans, or just hockey fans in general, are hypocritical about the guy.
Barely average-average= a .900-.910. .915 on a good year? Maybe 60% at the shootout?
If that's what we expect from Howard, then last season he shouldn't have really been crucified. He played within his talent level, accord to most. You see, to me, Barely average- average goalies do not post .920+ the majority of their career (so far). To me, until his average season last season, an average goalie doesn't post around 75% in the shootout, consistently. To me, that's high end of above average goal tending. Or has he just been overachieving his whole career? And don't tell be it's because of the stout defense we put out on that ice. /sarcasm
Oh, but what about this year's shootout numbers! Statistical anomalies happen. You just don't go from one of the better shootout goalies, to the worst, without a reason. I'm sure it will be fixed.
Mrazek has talent. But he's far from ready. He has had the benefit of an offensive burst from the Wings right now. Sure it's a team game. But had it been Howard it net letting in those very same goals? The man would be on GOAT status, if he isn't there already.
Mrazek can't catch a puck. He can't swallow a puck. Sure Jimmy's rebound control was bad, but not this bad. It was mostly Jimmy's kick saves (as still kind of there) that were the problem. Never a glove issue, or swallowing the puck...to this degree.
I feel like Mrazek supporters are on a high right now because "he's winning". But once there's a stretch where he needs to squeeze points from 5-6 1 goal games in a row. I know Jimmy can do it. Mrazek? I'm not so sure. And as excited as some people are, and as I am, I'm not ready to hand over the reigns to the kid until he's 100% better than Jimmy. And Jimmy is a realllly good goal tender. It won't be an easy take over, no matter how we try to conjure up a scenario.

I really don't understand the flak Howard gets, or the short, SHORT, leash he's been given.
For some reason, he's been labeled an barely average- average goalie. It almost seems like the fans, or just hockey fans in general, are hypocritical about the guy.
Barely average-average= a .900-.910. .915 on a good year? Maybe 60% at the shootout?
If that's what we expect from Howard, then last season he shouldn't have really been crucified. He played within his talent level, accord to most. You see, to me, Barely average- average goalies do not post .920+ the majority of their career (so far). To me, until his average season last season, an average goalie doesn't post around 75% in the shootout, consistently. To me, that's high end of above average goal tending. Or has he just been overachieving his whole career? And don't tell be it's because of the stout defense we put out on that ice. /sarcasm
Oh, but what about this year's shootout numbers! Statistical anomalies happen. You just don't go from one of the better shootout goalies, to the worst, without a reason. I'm sure it will be fixed.
Mrazek has talent. But he's far from ready. He has had the benefit of an offensive burst from the Wings right now. Sure it's a team game. But had it been Howard it net letting in those very same goals? The man would be on GOAT status, if he isn't there already.
Mrazek can't catch a puck. He can't swallow a puck. Sure Jimmy's rebound control was bad, but not this bad. It was mostly Jimmy's kick saves (as still kind of there) that were the problem. Never a glove issue, or swallowing the puck...to this degree.
I feel like Mrazek supporters are on a high right now because "he's winning". But once there's a stretch where he needs to squeeze points from 5-6 1 goal games in a row. I know Jimmy can do it. Mrazek? I'm not so sure. And as excited as some people are, and as I am, I'm not ready to hand over the reigns to the kid until he's 100% better than Jimmy. And Jimmy is a realllly good goal tender. It won't be an easy take over, no matter how we try to conjure up a scenario.

I still think they'll hold him back another week or two, just to be safe. Then off to the GRG he goes.
Sucks he was injured...he could be sitting in Nestrasils spot right now (not a knock against him or anything).

I feel like Smith has the tools to put it together offensively. I mean, you can see it. The instinct is there. But he hasn't found all the tools in the box with that aspect of his game yet.
Defensively, however, he has seemed to put it together, for the most part. He'll likely refine his game the next couple years defensively. He and Dekeyser have good offensive instincts. I think overall, Dekeyser is ahead on both fronts. Dekeyser seems to know when to slap it at the goalie, or off a stick, or off the back boards. Not Lidstrom level, but you can tell he's smart with his shots.
Smith has explosive moments, only to get robbed by the goalie. You can't teach those moments, as you just have to be that type of player. Kronwall plays like that as well...but he knows how to capitalize. Smith, from the blueline, tends to just grip it and rip it. His shots never make it to the goalie, let alone a teammates stick, or the backboards.
Overall, I think he'll surpass Dekeyser in points once he puts it all together....that IF he ever does. If anything, he's getting to be a stud defensively.

There was a letter out recently about the future, prospects and such. Holland was just yappin' away. At one point he says believes Howard will be a top 6-8 goalie during his contract.
What do you guys think? I think he's top 8-10 right now. Do you guys think he'll hit that expectation? And also...What does that leave for Mrazek? Howard has obvious FAR exceeded expectations. We were happy at the thought of him hitting top 15. Now it's not too far fetched to think of him as a top 6-8 goalie (I remember Babcock calling him an upper echelon goalie).
But we, as a fan base, expect Mrazek to exceed Howard. Are we fooling ourselves? Did we get lucky with Howard? Will we kick ourselves later on by trading Howard away hoping Mrazek is the better goalie?
All I know is Howard far, FAR exceeded my expectations. A couple of years ago we thought top 20, and would be glad he'd fit in the top 15. He jumped passed that expectation...
Howard, IMO, top 8-10 now. Potential top 6-8 according to Holland. I say he hits it. Why not? But where does that leave room for Mrazek? He just come in and bump Howard down one and make him a top 7-9 goalie? Crazy stuff guys. Howard's a keeper....but Mrazek..../scream!

There was an NHL article after the series. They said Jimmy was pretty much the star of the the series, out of every player. And he out shined Crawford (let's face it...taking away game two, Howard faced more quality shots in one game VS what Crawford saw in the entire series).
Other than game two..Detroit couldn't figure out Chicago's defense (not to mention they have been having a hard time scoring all year). On the other side of the coin? Chicago had the Wings figured out game 1. A great defensive game from the Wings sill resulted in many breakaway's, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2...bad line changes. And some turn overs inn front of Jimmy. They were just less than the usual (what we saw this season).
Credit to Crawford, though. He made the saves he needed to, to win. But most of the goals against were because he was his own worst enemy. Otherwise, he had it easy this series. Unlike Howard how has to deal with a defense that forgets what color jersey they play for (he had a couple softies, but that happens to the best of them..and his team was doing him no favors).
Good thing about Jimmy, though, is I still see him getting better. Stats be damned, this was his best year (his biggest stride was his mental strength IMO). Last year would have rivaled it, but you know..injuries.. A couple more years before he peaks IMO.
As for Crawford. I don' think he makes it out of the 3rd round. LA plays a much MUCH better defensive game (mostly because of the payers being older/better). An as much as I think Howard is a top 9-10 goalie....They have Quick, who is a top 1-3 goalie. Howard with an abysmal defense gave Chicago fits (the series was 2.29 Chicago 2.14 Detroit GA) on the score board. Imagine a team that can play defense, with a top 1-3 goalie? Crawford is going to have to play better than he did against Detroit to give his team a chance. He barely could do that against Detroit....and his team outplayed Detroit every game except game 2.
A little off track there, but no. Crawford didn't outplay Howard that series. Howard nearly stole the series...That's how much big of a performance he put on.

There was an NHL article after the series. They said Jimmy was pretty much the star of the the series, out of every player. And he out shined Crawford (let's face it...taking away game two, Howard faced more quality shots in one game VS what Crawford saw in the entire series).
Other than game two..Detroit couldn't figure out Chicago's defense (not to mention they have been having a hard time scoring all year). On the other side of the coin? Chicago had the Wings figured out game 1. A great defensive game from the Wings sill resulted in many breakaway's, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2...bad line changes. And some turn overs inn front of Jimmy. They were just less than the usual (what we saw this season).
Credit to Crawford, though. He made the saves he needed to, to win. But most of the goals against were because he was his own worst enemy. Otherwise, he had it easy this series. Unlike Howard how has to deal with a defense that forgets what color jersey they play for (he had a couple softies, but that happens to the best of them..and his team was doing him no favors).
Good thing about Jimmy, though, is I still see him getting better. Stats be damned, this was his best year (his biggest stride was his mental strength IMO). Last year would have rivaled it, but you know..injuries.. A couple more years before he peaks IMO.
As for Crawford. I don' think he makes it out of the 3rd round. LA plays a much MUCH better defensive game (mostly because of the payers being older/better). An as much as I think Howard is a top 9-10 goalie....They have Quick, who is a top 1-3 goalie. Howard with an abysmal defense gave Chicago fits (the series was 2.29 Chicago 2.14 Detroit GA) on the score board. Imagine a team that can play defense, with a top 1-3 goalie? Crawford is going to have to play better than he did against Detroit to give his team a chance. He barely could do that against Detroit....and his team outplayed Detroit every game except game 2.
A little off track there, but no. Crawford didn't outplay Howard that series. Howard nearly stole the series...That's how much big of a performance he put on.

Over payment for Howard? You're out to lunch on this one. Pay the goalie. Fix the defense and offense the best you can.
Howard carried an old washed up vet/rookie team (Dats/Zetts aside) to the playoffs, and into the 2nd round game 7 OT against the best team in the league. A 3 on 1 and a point blank deflection was the only things that beat him that game. You're not going to get a better performance from another goalie (maybe Rinne would have saved the first goal due to shear size, but that's not Howard's fault that Rinne is a monster) in the league. Especially the way he was getting shelled.
You ask for your goalie to show up in a game 7? You pay him for it. Howard did just that. Wings just couldn't score; made Crawford look like Quick most of the tike.

what i don't get, while we rip into howard, is that the elites do the same darn thing. Bad games. Get pulled. Turn overs that lead to goals. but for some reason we ignore that (as do all sport fans when they singling out a player...it's almost like selective hearing) and magnify howard's common goalie mistakes...just to justify an argument. or to justify why he's a lower tier. but if quick does it? he gets a pass. lundqvist? pass. rinne? pass. now schneider get's all over these passes (and he has made some boo-boo's this season too).
We call these inconsistencies with howard. the other goalies? they are mistakes. I keep reading them here, and over at HFboards....but the double standard doesn't add up/make sense. Does Howard have another set of rules? But what does make sense is the overall season, correct? Why do people judge a player on their mistakes, then call them average..., and these are few,, but in the same breath ignore the many, MANY, awesome feats them have pulled for the team this season? It's like..."you messed up once howard, you turned over the puck and those are inconsistencies I do not tolerate!" " What? Other elite goalies do it too? Oh, those are just gaffs on their part..., you cannot be inconsistent!"
Howard: ....... Save % .923 "Is that good enough" ..."No! You are average because of a few bad games, howard. Accept it!"
Blown out proportion? Yea...but it sure as hell seems that Howard has to play the puck like Brodeur, or better. Post .920+ every game. 10+SO. If the Wings cannot score more than 2 goals? Who cares...Howard better get us to the 3rd round or better or he's just average at best...
i would only call one goalie elite, and that's Lundqvist...and he's even made the gaffs that Howard has over his career...many-a-times. Honestly? If we are sitting here tearing apart a goalie we got in howard...a .consistent .920+ goalie (one season aside)...we could always get bryz, as people still consider him a top 10 goalie and howard barely a top 20, sometimes he doesn't even crack top 25.

what i don't get, while we rip into howard, is that the elites do the same darn thing. Bad games. Get pulled. Turn overs that lead to goals. but for some reason we ignore that (as do all sport fans when they singling out a player...it's almost like selective hearing) and magnify howard's common goalie mistakes...just to justify an argument. or to justify why he's a lower tier. but if quick does it? he gets a pass. lundqvist? pass. rinne? pass. now schneider get's all over these passes (and he has made some boo-boo's this season too).
We call these inconsistencies with howard. the other goalies? they are mistakes. I keep reading them here, and over at HFboards....but the double standard doesn't add up/make sense. Does Howard have another set of rules? But what does make sense is the overall season, correct? Why do people judge a player on their mistakes, then call them average..., and these are few,, but in the same breath ignore the many, MANY, awesome feats them have pulled for the team this season? It's like..."you messed up once howard, you turned over the puck and those are inconsistencies I do not tolerate!" " What? Other elite goalies do it too? Oh, those are just gaffs on their part..., you cannot be inconsistent!"
Howard: ....... Save % .923 "Is that good enough" ..."No! You are average because of a few bad games, howard. Accept it!"
Blown out proportion? Yea...but it sure as hell seems that Howard has to play the puck like Brodeur, or better. Post .920+ every game. 10+SO. If the Wings cannot score more than 2 goals? Who cares...Howard better get us to the 3rd round or better or he's just average at best...
i would only call one goalie elite, and that's Lundqvist...and he's even made the gaffs that Howard has over his career...many-a-times. Honestly? If we are sitting here tearing apart a goalie we got in howard...a .consistent .920+ goalie (one season aside)...we could always get bryz, as people still consider him a top 10 goalie and howard barely a top 20, sometimes he doesn't even crack top 25.

what i don't get, while we rip into howard, is that the elites do the same darn thing. Bad games. Get pulled. Turn overs that lead to goals. but for some reason we ignore that (as do all sport fans when they singling out a player...it's almost like selective hearing) and magnify howard's common goalie mistakes...just to justify an argument. or to justify why he's a lower tier. but if quick does it? he gets a pass. lundqvist? pass. rinne? pass. now schneider get's all over these passes (and he has made some boo-boo's this season too).
We call these inconsistencies with howard. the other goalies? they are mistakes. I keep reading them here, and over at HFboards....but the double standard doesn't add up/make sense. Does Howard have another set of rules? But what does make sense is the overall season, correct? Why do people judge a player on their mistakes, then call them average..., and these are few,, but in the same breath ignore the many, MANY, awesome feats them have pulled for the team this season? It's like..."you messed up once howard, you turned over the puck and those are inconsistencies I do not tolerate!" " What? Other elite goalies do it too? Oh, those are just gaffs on their part..., you cannot be inconsistent!"
Howard: ....... Save % .923 "Is that good enough" ..."No! You are average because of a few bad games, howard. Accept it!"
Blown out proportion? Yea...but it sure as hell seems that Howard has to play the puck like Brodeur, or better. Post .920+ every game. 10+SO. If the Wings cannot score more than 2 goals? Who cares...Howard better get us to the 3rd round or better or he's just average at best...
i would only call one goalie elite, and that's Lundqvist...and he's even made the gaffs that Howard has over his career...many-a-times. Honestly? If we are sitting here tearing apart a goalie we got in howard...a .consistent .920+ goalie (one season aside)...we could always get bryz, as people still consider him a top 10 goalie and howard barely a top 20, sometimes he doesn't even crack top 25.

He's been awesome! This is just an observation of mine, but has Howies puck handling skills improved? I mean, he plays it with poise now. Maybe he's learning from Ozzie (top 5 if you ask me when he as playing... very underrated.). I think that's helping too. I can't help but think when he challenges the shooter...he looks like Ozzie. Watch some 2008 Ozzie, then watch Howie this year. Very aggressive! And it works! Last year he would back in into the paint to early.
Just a few little Ozzi-isms...Similar puck handling and, the way they challenge the angle/shooter (only diffrence...Howie has a better 5-hole lol).

He's been awesome! This is just an observation of mine, but has Howies puck handling skills improved? I mean, he plays it with poise now. Maybe he's learning from Ozzie (top 5 if you ask me when he as playing... very underrated.). I think that's helping too. I can't help but think when he challenges the shooter...he looks like Ozzie. Watch some 2008 Ozzie, then watch Howie this year. Very aggressive! And it works! Last year he would back in into the paint to early.
Just a few little Ozzi-isms...Similar puck handling and, the way they challenge the angle/shooter (only diffrence...Howie has a better 5-hole lol).

Boy people here overreact. No, coaching is NOT part of the problem. IF the boys looked disintresed, would they be able to put up 40+ shots a night? And 30+ against Minnesota (that's a difficult task). They want to win, you can see it, but they were snake bitten. Babcock and the coaches are doing what they do, the players get used to the new system/coaches (they are human) and they have to wait for it to gel.
At least their forecheck doesn't look as predictable. The D looks more aggressive than recent years... they seem to have some diffrent plays up their sleeves. Thats good. But as far as a diffrent system on the ice, let the players and coaches(2) work it out. It can't all gel together at the same time like some miracle. If this was truely a coaching issue, the Wings would be getting dominated game in and game out (scoreboard or not)... Not skating circles around their opponents most nights.
Wait till the first quater is over before /panic. And even then, they can go on a tear and still make it... Look at San Jose. They were out of it for sure until the last quater and they made 2nd friggin place in the league or conference...can't remember heh. (Wings did help them, though).
td;dl: Two new coaches, some new players... new systems whatnot... Give more than 12 games for it to gel? Plus 6 games of being snakebitten doesn't mean it's a coach problem.

He'll come back, in my opinion, for one more year. I was thinking he had his last showing in '08...but knowing what he had played through in '09 and tried to play it off as nothing going into last season (his injuries could have really messed his game up) I wouldn't be to suprised if he challenges Howie for the number one spot this year. Lets hope, if he does sign one more year, that he is 100% healthly. I have no doubts the man can play '08 calibur goaltending if he's healthy. We'll see.
Injuries can really mess with a goalie, 'specially the hip area...not to mention groin area at the same time? Career ending injuries at this point...realistically. I'm pulling for the guy, though!
EDIT: Although I think switching to butterfly style helped his game short-term...in the long run I really think it took it's toll. Going from a true stand-up style to butterfly in the course of 1 year is what probably caused his hip injuries. The groin issues, though...well...we know he has had issues with that his whole career.

If he stays 100% healthy this year, I think we will see another '08 duel in net. Healthy competition never hurts, especially in pro sports. It will just make the other goalie hungrier. And who knows, maybe that will trickle down to the skaters.

I agree 100%. If Ozzie stays healthy, and signs at league minimum...you cannot beat that. He's a proven goalie who knows how to win. Anyone who comes up with the last 2 year arguement (also forgetting '09 play-off run in the process) is either a hater or just ignorant in the fact that he has been injured for most of the '09/'10 season, and ALL of '10/'11 season.
Hip injuries, torn groin...and other minor injuries that could nag a goaltender in playing his game. To me, that explains the last 2 seasons. Hell, I give the guy props for the '09 play-off run alone because he was injured the whole run. Sheer heart and will there if you ask me.
He stays healthy...signs at league min...best back-up signing possible for the wings.

He'll come back, in my opinion, for one more year. I was thinking he had his last showing in '08...but knowing what he had played through in '09 and tried to play it off as nothing going into last season (his injuries could have really messed his game up) I wouldn't be to suprised if he challenges Howie for the number one spot this year. Lets hope, if he does sign one more year, that he is 100% healthly. I have no doubts the man can play '08 calibur goaltending if he's healthy. We'll see.
Injuries can really mess with a goalie, 'specially the hip area...not to mention groin area at the same time? Career ending injuries at this point...realistically. I'm pulling for the guy, though!
EDIT: Although I think switching to butterfly style helped his game short-term...in the long run I really think it took it's toll. Going from a true stand-up style to butterfly in the course of 1 year is what probably caused his hip injuries. The groin issues, though...well...we know he has had issues with that his whole career.