Verdict on Howard

[Wingsfan4life19 26]

I feel like Jimmy has played very well lately. People may look at the score last night and see 4 goals, but i dont hold him repsonsible for all of them. There was a deflection, a one timer from basically the top of his crease, a break away, and i didnt see the 4th goal.

I would be interested in seeing Jimmy play when our defence is healthy, and with some sort of offensive support. I mean in his 2 starts, the Wings have averaged .5 goals a game.

If Dom retires next year, would you feel comfortable with Jim getting the back up role, and challenging for the starters job?

Edited February 24, 2008 by Wingsfan4life19

[cirov19 1]

I agree, I don't blame him for those goals. It's hard to goaltend when you have no defense.

So yeah, when Dom retires I would feel comfortable with him in net. He seems to be pretty solid for the most part, and with more games experience I'm sure he would improve even more.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

I feel like Jimmy has played very well lately. People may look at the score last night and see 4 goals, but i dont hold him repsonsible for all of them. There was a deflection, a one timer from basically the top of his crease, a break away, and i didnt see the 4th goal.

I would be interested in seeing Jimmy play when our defence is healthy, and with some sort of offensice support. I mean in his 2 starts, the Wings have averaged .5 goals a game.

If Dom retires next year, would you feel comfortable with Jim getting the back up role, and challenging for the starters job?

without question

[WingNut 25 5]

Jimmy's time has come. He'll be the backup next season.

[Mors 201]

Howard made some big saves last night, despite the final score. I definitely think he has a lot of potential in the future for this team.

[Barrie 900]

I wouldn't mind seeing Howard and Ozzie split games from this point on, sorry Hasek .

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i feel completely comfortable with him

[superstarsingh 23]

I want Hasek to retire tomorrow. I love Howard, he is the future. I honestly think he has the tools to be the next GREAT American goalie. When Dom is gone I would love to see Howard and Ozzie split games and have Ozzie groom Howard into the starting job. It is so satisfying to see a goalie come through the organization. I beleive that Ozzie was the last one we had. Wooo! JIMMY HOWARD!

[Opie 308]

I am so happy reading these posts. I was unable to watch the game last night and was coming on here to see the reaction. Seeing the score I had to wonder how he played. 35-31 is not too shabby, but could also have been a couple of 5 hole squeakers or something.

Good to see he is playing well and I hope he is able to take over the reigns in a couple of years. I said it when Ozzie got his extension, this would be a great learning situation for J-Ho, not only style wise, but also what it is like to play goalie in Detroit.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I've been disappointed with the whole goaltending crew as of lately. Eariler this season the goalies got all the credit, even though the team was scoring 4 goals every game and giving up less than 15 shots a night. The last few games when we've needed the goalies to finally steal a few games, they've come up short. Yeah, I know we've had injuries and bad bounces, but it'd be nice to have our goalies steal some games while the team is in this slump, instead they've been outplayed by the other team's goalie every night, except for the divealanche game.

As for Howard, the best thing is that he's getting experience during a tumultous situation, which is the best way to give a goalie experience. He wasn't great last night, though.

[Wingsfan4life19 26]

I've been disappointed with the whole goaltending crew as of lately. Eariler this season the goalies got all the credit, even though the team was scoring 4 goals every game and giving up less than 15 shots a night. The last few games when we've needed the goalies to finally steal a few games, they've come up short. Yeah, I know we've had injuries and bad bounces, but it'd be nice to have our goalies steal some games while the team is in this slump, instead they've been outplayed by the other team's goalie every night, except for the divealanche game.

As for Howard, the best thing is that he's getting experience during a tumultous situation, which is the best way to give a goalie experience. He wasn't great last night, though.

I see what you're saying about stealing a couple games. However, in J-Ho's two starts he's had assignment of outplaying Turco and Luongo. I think he outplayed Turco ( although losing 1-0), and Luongo didn't really have to come up big. Yes, 4 goals is 4 goals, but I think the Wings should keep Jimmy up even when Dom gets back, and then give Jimmy at least one game when the defence is healthy.

[zata40 3]

Just thinking of next year with Ozzie and Howard sharing net, makes me drool. I cant wait!!

...and while were on Howard I found something funny on the letsgokings boards. some guy thinks we should trade Howard to to them. link

[kherty 3]

Let Hasek go (or retire) and have Osgood backup Howard. I feel more confident with Howard in goal than I do with the others!

Edited February 24, 2008 by kherty

[superstarsingh 23]

I see what you're saying about stealing a couple games. However, in J-Ho's two starts he's had assignment of outplaying Turco and Luongo. I think he outplayed Turco ( although losing 1-0), and Luongo didn't really have to come up big. Yes, 4 goals is 4 goals, but I think the Wings should keep Jimmy up even when Dom gets back, and then give Jimmy at least one game when the defence is healthy.

That does not make sense. If Dom is healthy he and Ozzie will be dressed and Howard will be sent back down so he can play in GR and not sit behind two guys.

[Wingsfan4life19 26]

That does not make sense. If Dom is healthy he and Ozzie will be dressed and Howard will be sent back down so he can play in GR and not sit behind two guys.

I know, although i havent read the expected return dates of the injured defencemen, if they all get back around the same time, I don't see why Kenny or Babs wouldn't keep him up an extra couple of days to see him play with the Wings, and not the Griffins.

[cboth686 0]

Agreed. I feel TONS more comfortable with Howard as opposed to Hasek. Hasek is washed, he plays on his goal line and seems to give up VERY deflating goals. Give the kid a chance, at least he is mobile.

I love that he is a butterfly tendy too. Detroit has never really had a "new style" goalie in their system for awhile. Osgood plays a hybrid style which is fine, but Hasek's "roll around like a fish/stop shots from the goal line" isn't working.

GO HOWARD!

[gcom007 1,465]

Verdict? For serious? How about we wait until he goes through training camp and begins the season with the team so he has some real NHL consistency, eh? Until then, nobody knows. He'll get his chance.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Howard just needs to learn how to close his legs on breakaways. If so, no worries.

[Yemack 1]

oh yeah Howard looks very promising and quite NHL ready but I bet you if Hasek was playing, he wouldn't have let in 4 goals last night.

Hasek is our guy for this season. (or Osgood) Howard will get his load next year.

[DeuxEx 0]

I'm perfectly comfortable with Howard backing up Ozzy next year and getting a solid amount of playing time. I think his time has come.

He still has a little work to do on things like rebound control and closing his five hole on break aways. Otherwise he looked solid.

[dallas27 7]

If Dom retires next year, would you feel comfortable with Jim getting the back up role, and challenging for the starters job?

He must retire next year, has to. Howard will do nobody any good by sitting in GRap for another year next year.

I hope Howard and Osgood tandem next year. I can see Ozzie being a good mentor.

[Turkey 0]

This season is definitely Hasek's with Osgood's very capable support. Watching Jimmy has made me very comfortable regarding our future in net. The kid's no superstar but he has all the building blocks of a really great goalie. He's still so young. It's nice.

[Dabura 12,232]

Give him the backup job next season. His time has come.

As an aside: love the avatar, zata40.

[dallas27 7]

He still has a little work to do on things like rebound control and closing his five hole on break aways. Otherwise he looked solid.

For the most part I saw his rebounds go into the corner, where they should be going, but the other times they are sitting there ripe for the picking.

[rage 24]

Future H.O.F!!