Jimmy Howard

[FireCaptain 563]

I didn't see a thread related to this article - I apologize if there is one and I just missed it.

Goalie

Jimmy Howard -- Is he “The One†or just another one? This is Jimmy Howard's year to impress Detroit's brass that he can be their home-developed, long-term goalie. The Red Wings' goaltending situation has been unsettled for more than a decade, but they've won three Stanley Cups with a rotating cast of netminders.

Howard followed a fine career at the University of Maine, where he set the NCAA record with a 1.19 goals-against average in 2004, with two pretty good years with Grand Rapids. He posted a similar goals-against average and save percentage in both seasons but he was much more successful in his rookie season, winning 27 games two years ago and 21 last year. Howard went 3-4 in the playoffs last year but had a 1.93 GAA and .927 save percentage. He has neither sealed the deal nor played his way out of contention. This is his make-or-break season, according to Nill.

"Jim is our top prospect in net," Nill said. "His first AHL season was very good, but we had a lot of injuries last season. Jimmy was up with the Red Wings for part of the year, sitting on the bench, which is not ideal for a young goaltender, but he handled it well. Last year was an up-and-down season in terms of his play. He was good at times and very average at other times. He had a strong playoff, even though Grand Rapids didn't get out of the first round. He needs to step up this year because we are dying for someone to take this job and hold it for years. After this season, we'll know if it's him or if we have to move in another direction. We know he can do it. He just has to go and do it now."

Hopefully he plays well and finds his groove. I, for one, love the idea of drafting and grooming our own goalie versus trying to find one at outrageous free agent prices.

One thing that does worry me is that after this season we have NO "seasoned" goaltender under contract. Even if Howard does make the grade and gets the call for 08/09 - we'd still need an experienced backup/starter.

[Kreator13 0]

hope he turns out to be a great goalie. it'd be nice to have one main long-term dependable goalie, rather than constantly picking guys up and throwing em out.

[datsyukonethree 0]

I saw him play in the NCAA Hockey East final when he was at the absolute top of his game and I can't imagine him not being a huge goaltender in the NHL one day.

[joshy207 156]

I saw him play in the NCAA Hockey East final when he was at the absolute top of his game and I can't imagine him not being a huge goaltender in the NHL one day.

There's a HUGE difference between the NCAA and NHL... that said, Howard is very capable of being a #1 goalie in the NHL. He still needs a year or two of AHL development. He should be able to dominate that league before he's pressed into *regular* NHL duty.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

There's a HUGE difference between the NCAA and NHL... that said, Howard is very capable of being a #1 goalie in the NHL. He still needs a year or two of AHL development. He should be able to dominate that league before he's pressed into *regular* NHL duty.

I hope so. It seems like for the longest time we've done a worse job in developing young goalies than any other team in hockey.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I hope so. It seems like for the longest time we've done a worse job in developing young goalies than any other team in hockey.

Ozzie turned out to do pretty well for the Red Wings.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Ozzie turned out to do pretty well for the Red Wings.

That's what I mean. Ozzie was a rookie about 10 million years ago. Every other team has been willing to draft young goalies and develop young goalies to the point where even their backups would be solid prospects. We've gone out and brought in older goalies like Cujo and Hasek, and so when Hasek calls it quits, hopefully Howard will be that young goalie that we've waited for so long.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

That's what I mean. Ozzie was a rookie about 10 million years ago. Every other team has been willing to draft young goalies and develop young goalies to the point where even their backups would be solid prospects. We've gone out and brought in older goalies like Cujo and Hasek, and so when Hasek calls it quits, hopefully Howard will be that young goalie that we've waited for so long.

Oh, I agree with you completely. I hope Howard turns out to be the goalie of the future for the Red Wings. I was just making the point that Ozzie had a pretty good career coming up with Detroit.

[Wing Nut 19 0]

I didn't see a thread related to this article - I apologize if there is one and I just missed it.

Hopefully he plays well and finds his groove. I, for one, love the idea of drafting and grooming our own goalie versus trying to find one at outrageous free agent prices.

One thing that does worry me is that after this season we have NO "seasoned" goaltender under contract. Even if Howard does make the grade and gets the call for 08/09 - we'd still need an experienced backup/starter.

Yes do make sure you don't repeat a thread topic thats punishable by 50 lashes

And yes I hope Howard really is the future between our pipes.

[sWINGED 0]

when the wings drafted him i expected him to be in detroit by now. and i'm not buying he's had superstars ahead of him. the wings re-upped hasek because howard isn't ready or hasn't done it yet.

i'm skeptical of his long-term at this point.

[joshy207 156]

Goalies take a long time to develop. Only the rare ones can play well in the NHL at 21 or younger.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Sounds to me like they're not too confident in him.

[vangvace 12]

It would be great if Howard were to take the next step, but I don't see it happening. If it's because of him or the organization, he will doubtfully spend too much longer in Detroit.

Question though, before Osgood who was the last goalie drafted by Detroit to come up and actually play for Detroit? Was it Cheveldae?

[datsyukonethree 0]

Sounds to me like they're not too confident in him.

It's not that they're not confident. They're following the Ryan Miller formula and giving him as much time as he needs.

[HuntsVegas Baby 0]

That's what I mean. Ozzie was a rookie about 10 million years ago. Every other team has been willing to draft young goalies and develop young goalies to the point where even their backups would be solid prospects. We've gone out and brought in older goalies like Cujo and Hasek, and so when Hasek calls it quits, hopefully Howard will be that young goalie that we've waited for so long.

I am not sure why Ozzie doesn't get the love he deserves on these boards? Rookie 10million years ago? He is as old as Holmstrom (34) and was a rookie just a short 13 years ago. He has never has a losing season (that incluses two with NYI and two with St. Losie!) He has 336 wins which is 17th on the all-time list. If he would have started the last coulpe of seasons plus a couple of future ones, he could easily have 400+ wins. Plus his all-time GAA is 2.45.

Not saying the guy is Sawchuk, but I would have given him a chance ahead of Legace and Hasek, while bringing up Howard. JMO

Edited July 23, 2007 by HuntsVegas Baby

[rick zombo 3,739]

You guys are all insane.

Up until now Howard is on the same path as Ryan Miller.

Miller spent 3 years in Rochester.

Compare their numbers.

Howard: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=67804

Miller: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=45065

It wasn't until Miller's third season in 2004-05 that he really started to dominate.

Howard is entering his third season this fall.

And as Nill said, they know he can do it. He just has to do it.

So I'm not sure where all the doom and gloom is coming from here.

It's not that they're not confident. They're following the Ryan Miller formula and giving him as much time as he needs.

Correct

Edited July 23, 2007 by rick zombo

[interminded 1]

Dom and Ozzie will pass the torch eventually to Jimmy Howard.

There's no rush however.

It will all take its natural course.

[JayUp88 1]

Up until now Howard is on the same path as Ryan Miller.

that sounds good to me, i have been waiting to be able to cheer on this guy

[Opie 308]

The thing that the org doesn't want to do is the Marc Andre Fluery thing, He started in the NHL way to early and it drastically impacted his confidence for his second tour in the NHL. While at the same time (roughly) the Sabres had Ryan Miller "wasting" time in the AHL. I say "wasting" because I have a few sabre fan friends who were tired of see the potential future goalie sitting in AHL while the big club struggled in net.

From what I have read and heard, and I try to follow Jimmy as much as I can, the wings just want him to be ready. If they wait 3-4 years and he is ready they have a much better equipped (mentally and physically) goalie, then if he started this year.

I am all about J-ho in the winged wheel, but I want them to do whatever it takes for him to be the next Miller. Mind you, Miller right now is an average goalie in the NHL with potential to be great, I would love it if in his first couple of years J-ho was average to good. That would give him something to build on and hopefully the team will still be a winner and that will help his confidence.

When you see him, once adjusted to the NHL, he is a very athletic goaltender, with a great glove and unbelievable patience. He waits for the shooter longer than any goaltender I have seen. In a good way.

You want to see what he is capable of try to find video of the postseasons he played with U of Maine. (Can't find it on Youtube)

He had a backup who the year before was considered to be the next great netminder in NCAA, then as a freshman Howard took over the spot. He will be a really good tender, Ijust hope it is in the winged wheel!!

And who needs a figther, we can answer our toughness issues with J-ho,

Just kidding!!!

[Heaton 1]

If Howard isn't ready next season, I'd be pretty surprised if he ever made the jump to the Wings. We will have run out of options next year on July 1st, so if it isn't Jimmy, it'll be someone else. Nill has said on numerous occasions that if Jimmy isn't going to be the #1, he isn't going to be anything here.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

If Howard isn't ready next season, I'd be pretty surprised if he ever made the jump to the Wings. We will have run out of options next year on July 1st, so if it isn't Jimmy, it'll be someone else. Nill has said on numerous occasions that if Jimmy isn't going to be the #1, he isn't going to be anything here.

So it's starter or bust? Seems a bit harsh.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Howard might play 5 NHL games this season, I have a feeling he'd do pretty good. I still wish Howard would have played those games that Macdonald played, I mean I wouldn't see Howard posting a 1-5-1 record with .872 SV% and 3.46 GAA. Awful.

[vangvace 12]

So it's starter or bust? Seems a bit harsh.

Heaton's right though. They may very well not have a goalie besides Howard still signed come July 1 and the recent history has shown that they'll turn to FA to fill the empty slots.

[Rob the Badger 0]

Howard still needs more time to develope in Grand Rapids. He may play a few games in Detroit this season depending on how Hasek handles the work load, and to cover for any injuries. But he is not ready to make the next step. He might not even be ready the following season, but he'll get there.

Forwards and D-men can be thrown into the fire sooner because they have partners on the ice who can help them out in tough spots. The goalie is in a totally different position. Let him cut his teeth in GR and progress naturally. The last thing he needs is to be sent up too early, have his confidence shaken (Broken) and end up taking steps backwards rather than forwards.

Look at Miller, Emery, and Nitti; they all spent a while down in the AHL. They seasoned there and then made their way to the NHL with verying degrees of success. Give Howard some time and he'll come along too.

[wingsnut25 10]

It was stated last year, that Howard was good enough to be a backup, but they would much rather have him playing games in the AHL then riding the pine in the NHL.

I think Howard is coming along just fine, and they just dont want to rush him.

Another example is Dipietrio, he probably could have spent more time in the minors, instead he played for several years when he shouldn't have.

Howard still needs more time to develope in Grand Rapids. He may play a few games in Detroit this season depending on how Hasek handles the work load, and to cover for any injuries. But he is not ready to make the next step. He might not even be ready the following season, but he'll get there.

Forwards and D-men can be thrown into the fire sooner because they have partners on the ice who can help them out in tough spots. The goalie is in a totally different position. Let him cut his teeth in GR and progress naturally. The last thing he needs is to be sent up too early, have his confidence shaken (Broken) and end up taking steps backwards rather than forwards.

Look at Miller, Emery, and Nitti; they all spent a while down in the AHL. They seasoned there and then made their way to the NHL with verying degrees of success. Give Howard some time and he'll come along too.