Outsider

Again, that is assuming that Management and Coaching feel that the problem, (assuming there is an actual problem), is one that "work" will improve, rather than not. It has been clear for many years that all the work in the world was not going to "improve" Dan Cloutier, because the problem was NOT with his game, but rather with his Game. And before everyone here freaks out, I am absolutely NOT stating that Jimmy Howard is the next Dan Cloutier, only citing Trashcan Dan as an example of a goaltender who needs much more than steady work with a goaltending coach in order to get his game, and his Game, in order.

Unless the problem, (assuming there is an actual problem), isn't with Jimmy Howard's game, but rather with his Game.

With all due respect, the most important part of a goaltenders game is the MENTAL aspect. He needs to have ice-water running through his veins. Calm, cool, collected, not easily rattled. Emery is more-than-rattled before he even hits the ice. Also, listen to the guy. Actually listen to what HE has to say, and the manner in which he says it. He's got a chip on his shoulder like you wouldn't believe, a persecution complex, and absolutely refuses to be accountable for the bone-headed decisions HE himself makes. Say what you will about "second chances", but hockey is a TEAM sport, and when your basic personality is diametrically opposed to the Team philosophy, it goes beyond something that can be easily "fixed". Why take the chance? He's not so good a goaltender to begin with that he's worth the risk of fracturing one of the tightest lockerrooms in the League. And with the other baggage he brings, you're just asking for trouble.

The knock on Dan Cleary was that he was lazy, and had poor work ethic. Those are things you can make a larger, more stringent commitment to, and be successful. As for the division in the lockerroom going "way beyond" Emery..... The lockerroom has nothing to do with him threatening senior citizens on the roads of the Nations Capitol with severe bodily harm, (to put it mildly), or exhibiting absolutely no ability to control his anger, (some have even called it outright rage), in public places completely outside the rink, and having nothing whatsoever to do with the lockerroom, his teammates, or hockey. The guy is unstable. Mentally and emotionally unstable. Think "Mike Tyson" unstable. (Someone Emery claims to be a "hero" of his, by the way).

I know Matt doesn't want this thread cluttered, but I had to post my agreement. It does have a presence, doesn't it? The first time I saw it up close and personal, I couldn't believe that I was shaking, literally, like crazy. When I reached out to touch it, my hands were noticibly trembling. I looked up and kinda gave a nervous laugh to the Cup Keeper. He nodded, smiled, and said.... "Happens all the time." The Cup is otherworldly.

Firstly, when one refers to someone they don't even know as an "idiot" based upon an opinion they don't agree with, I'd tend to call that "personal". Secondly, it's not "one little run of the mill comment", it's comment after comment, year after year. Thirdly, if you ask a woman out, and she says: "Oooooh.....sorry. I'm washing my hair tomorrow night." Then you ask her out again..... "Hmmmm.....pedicure....I'm getting a pedicure." Then you ask her out AGAIN.... "Sorry. I'm having a bunion removed." At what point does it finally sink in that, (as the saying goes): "She's just not that into you."? To wit: "We like Jimmy," said Holland. "We like Jimmy's potential. I can't tell you he's established himself as the premier goalie" in the American Hockey League. Sounds rather lukewarm for a GM talking about his future franchise goalie. Especially in light of the fact that he clearly stated that he'd match "any offer" made for Flip. I don't recall any "wishy-washy-ness" over Helm, either. What has Babs been saying the past three years? "You have to go and dominate there before you can be a Player here." Look up Howard's numbers in the AHL the past three seasons. Not only has he clearly NOT dominated, he's been well below average in all but his first year.

Hey, no worries. And certainly no need to take it personally. I guess we'll ALL just have to wait and see, won't we?

While you may fail to see anything particularly damning, do you see anything particularly encouraging? The Wings HAVE invested a lot of time and effort into developing Howard. Just as they did with MacDonald. Just as they did with Liv. Again..... Do you see anything in ANY statement made, (recently), but ANYONE in the Wings Organization which would lead you to believe that they truly consider this kid to be the "franchise" netminder they thought he could be when they drafted him? As for Jimmy Howard "earning" a shot..... That's what everyone said about Legace, too. He'd "earned" a shot at being the Starter. "Earned" a chance to Start in the Play-Offs. <shrug>

I'm not the one saying it. Holland is saying it. Babcock is saying it. They've BEEN saying it. Some people just refuse to "listen". Either that, or they only hear what they want to hear.

From the Freep "We've got Chris Osgood," Holland said. "Who is going to be the goaltender with him? We like Jimmy Howard. Do we sign more of a veteran guy? I want to talk to our people about that. I want to give Jimmy Howard a chance to make the team." Also from the Freep "Do we pursue a veteran guy if there is one? Do we pursue a trade? Do we just decide that we're comfortable with Ozzie and Jimmy Howard?" There's audio, as well.....although I can't remember where off the top of my head.

Howard is not ready. If he WERE ready, he'd be up. You don't leave your "Goalie of the Future" down in the Minors out of sheer caprice if he's clearly shown that he belongs in the NHL. He. Is. Not. Ready. He may never be ready. Management and Coaching has been saying it, without ACTUALLY saying it, for the past 3 years. Wings fans simply refuse, quite obstinately, to read between the lines. I know some Wings fans think the kid has enough "talent", or "skill" to be a Player. But at HIS position, "talent" and "skill" are NEVER enough. Not here. Not in this city. Not for this Team. Not if he's expected to play goal with the Winged Wheel on his chest. Takes a HELLUVA lot more to be a goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings. If he doesn't have "It", all the "talent" and "skill" in the world won't help him one jot. Management and Coaching haven't seen "It". That's why he's still playing in Grand Rapids, and THAT is why there is even a discussion amongst Management and Coaching as to whether or not to go out and sign a veteran back-up at all. Once again.... Read Between The Lines.

It's been nice to see Ozzie come out of his shell this past Season.

He wanted the Starting job back. Plain and simple.

What Oz did was more complicated, and far more involved, than "making adjustments". He changed his whole game, after 20+ years, and movements and actions which ceased to be conscious, and became instinctual, decades ago. What he did, in essence, was the equivalent of "re-training" oneself to be left-handed, as opposed to right-handed. One shouldn't underestimate the significance of that, nor downplay the dedication it took to make the transition successful. Add to that the fact that he chose to reinvent himself after 11 years, and what cannot be argued as anything other than a GREAT deal of success at his chosen position, and you have a testament to the Character of the man, and the level at which his competitive fires burn. As I've always said, and as is finally being acknowledged, the Wings are fortunate to have him. Always have been.

Tucker's a scumbag. Wouldn't fit in with the Wings.

From mlive..... "Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Osgood will be appearing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Tuesday." If true, it'll be interesting to hear Nick and Chris bat the "You wanna answer this is one?"........"Nah. You go 'head."......"Okay, I'll start."....."Yeah, you start, I'll finish." thing back and forth for the enitre interview.

Gee...I dunno.... I figure once you've won It, It kinda owns a little piece of you for eternity. Your name is, after all, engraved on it forever. Believe me, these guys aren't touching it lightly, but with reverence and respect.

Ahahahaha! That wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared it would be. It was embarrassing, sure, but in a goofy way. They looked like exactly what they are: Two quiet, humble guys who were totally out of their element, but proud to be representing Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings, and hockey in general. They did a great job, as far as I'm concerned. Oh.....And for those who are thinking that it's an awfully long flight for 2 minutes on Leno.... I'm sure they can find something to do for the rest of the day, even in the wilderness that is Southern California.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm a huge Oz fan... Having said that, he's good for 50-55 Games a Season. Max. He's not exactly ancient, but he's no kid anymore, either. And, lest we forget, he's rather on the "smallish" side, and doesn't really have the physical reserves for 65+ Regular Season Games AND a (hopefully) long Post Season run. Besides, he gets loopy with too much playing time. He needs to be kept hungry. If you give HIM the choice, he'll play all 82 Games, even if it kills him. He needs a reliable back up who can carry the load for a good 30 Games. And for those who think Howard is "ready, for sure"..... That's what everyone's been saying for the past 2-3 Season's, and Kenny's STILL waffling about bringing him up. He's not a baby anymore. He's 24 years old, 5 years removed from his Draft Day, and 3 years deep in the AHL. Babcock and Holland have consistently said that Howard will HAVE a spot with the Wings when he EARNS a spot with the Wings. They have stated, (Babcock especially), that they want him to be the "best there", (the AHL), before coming "here", (the NHL). Jimmy's first year in Grand Rapids was his best, but it was hardly the dominating performance Coaching and Management was looking for: 2005 - 2006 GAA - Ranked 9th (2.58) SVP - Ranked 14th (.910) Wins - Ranked 5th (27-6-2) 2006 - 2007 GAA - Ranked 23rd (2.70) SVP - Ranked 15th (.911) Wins - Ranked 19th (21-21-3) 2007 - 2008 GAA - Ranked 28th (2.83) SVP - Ranked 30th (.907) Wins - Ranked 21st (21-28-2) Even in his Starts with the Wings, he appears to have pretty good numbers, but he doesn't WIN! Even on this Team, the best Team in the NHL. Has everyone forgotten Osgood's first, (and LAST), call-up from the Minors? God, the kid may not have had the best stats his first year, (at least not that I recall), but he did nothing but WIN! He FOUND a way to win. Sloppy, scrambly, bull-dogging his way to Victory after Victory. Whatever it took to get the "W". Scotty didn't like him, didn't want him up with the big Club, but he couldn't justify sending him down, either! I think that's what both Holland and Babcock want to see. A performance which states, in no uncertain terms, "I'm here to stay. You're not sending ME back down. I won't give you any choice but to play me." They haven't seen it.

Hey.... Maybe they can retire it, then put it back into circulation, then retire it, then put it back into circulation for part of the Season, then retire it....

Another ding, another story. "And THIS one is from '08, when a buncha Wings Players took it to Chelios' place so the fans could drink from it." Like Stevie's many, MANY scars.... Each and every one of them with a Warrior's Tale to go with it. And each one made beautiful by either the earning, or by the surviving, of it.

You've nailed it there. Unbelievable. I don't think this Season and Play-Off run could've gone any better had it been SCRIPTED. The moment he hit the ice in relief of Dom in Game 4 of the WCQ's, I couldn't help but say it out loud.... "This is it, Oz!" Part cheer, part prayer. "This is IT, Oz!" To watch him take that opportunity, the opportunity which we, (as Oz fans), had hoped for but never TRULY believed he'd be given, and to see him sink his teeth into it, stubbornly, fiercely refusing to let it go..... When the final buzzer sounded in Game 6, I had no real words. Nothing coherent. Plenty of emotions, though..... Triumph! Victory! Vindication! Pride. And Humility. He spoke, minutes after the buzzer, about how he was able to do it. I don't post here often, but anyone who remembers my infrequent posts will hopefully remember what I feel to be THE ultimate characteristic, what makes ME a fan of a particular Player. A fan for life. Above all else. Moreso than skill. Moreso than talent. Moreso than anything else.....As it was in '98, so it is in '08...... "Heart of a Lion, baby!" Not just words then, and certainly proven to be more than just words now. Truth. Gospel Truth.

Looks like it took 3 years, but it's finally happened.... When Oz was with the Isles, he was THE veteran leader on the Team. The Cup Winner. The Go-To guy. Period. He often spoke to the press, and to his teammates, about his time in Detroit, about his teammates there. And he always spoke with a level of respect almost approaching awe. I'm not kidding..... His first game against the Wings, Yzerman scored in OT against him. When he was interviewed about Yzerman's move on him after the game, his comment was a barely audible whisper, "Stevie's deceptive like that...." His tone of voice was "How could you NOT know that....???" When asked, throughout the Season, what it would take to get these young Isles: On Track, or Out of a slump, or Into the Post-Season His answers always, ALWAYS began with: When I was in Detroit, or When I played with Yzerman, or When I was with the Wings And always with that same longing awe in his voice. And in his eyes. Many Isles fans began to tire of him always talking about his days in Detroit, as though he just could never get over the fact that he was no longer a Red Wing. He couldn't hide it. No matter how much he enjoyed his time on Long Island. It was painfully obvious. And so we see, today, the culmination of that which began three years ago, but was never fully realized. Everything he took for granted in his first tour in Detroit. Everything he missed when he was gone. Everything he THOUGHT he'd regained when he came back in 2005, but never truly had again until Wednesday night, when the final buzzer sounded in Game 6 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. His Home. Not just "home", but "Home". Back were it all began. Back in the only place he's ever wanted to be. Back where he belongs. Not only in Detroit. Not only in the Winged Wheel. More than that.....So much more.... Back in the hearts of Red Wings fans. The man they trust.....truly, TRULY trust......to be the last line of defense for the Team THEY live and die by. The one they believe in, as he's always believed in himself. THEIR goalie. As the saying goes; "Number 30 in your Programs, Number 1 in your hearts...." The "Ozzie! Ozzie!" chants the ultimate affirmation: We love you too, Oz. Welcome Home.

Because Oz is neither Quebecois, nor a nut-job. He's a nice, stable, humble, quiet, hard-working Western Canadian prairie boy. He sure looked like a Champ last night, didn't he? Good on ya, Oz! And congrats, Wings. Earned it, and THEN some!

Oh, and by the way.... TSN is reporting that Homer was seen "limping" out of Mellon Arena tonight. *sigh*