Jimmy Howard

[RWK23 0]

touche.

but my point still remains. he has yet to win a game. but i must clarify: i do not know much about him just what ive seen in those few games.

Actually, he won a game in '05-'06, so your point is moot.

Edited June 10, 2008 by RWK23

[Nero 20]

touche.

but my point still remains. he has yet to win a game. but i must clarify: i do not know much about him just what ive seen in those few games.

Except for probably the 0 - 1 loss, all of Howard's appearance have been in relief of Osgood after Detroit has gone down 0 - 3. If Howard can't prove himself when he's in net next season, then we have two other goalies that can be backups (Larsson and Berkhoel).

[dallas27 7]

but i must clarify: i do not know much about him just what ive seen in those few games.

So whatever you say bears no weight in this discussion. Please do some research before you decide to type words.

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

i haven't been keeping up with his stats and im just lazy to look it up but has howard even won a game yet? (nhl level)

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

i haven't been keeping up with his stats and im just lazy to look it up but has howard even won a game yet? (nhl level)

lol please tell me that you're joking, or that you're just too lazy to look a few posts above your own, too.

[kylee 727]

So whatever you say bears no weight in this discussion. Please do some research before you decide to type words.

so because i dont know everything about Jimmy Howard and his stats mean i cant throw in my opinion about the idea of an unproven goalie playing in the NHL?

[RWK23 0]

i haven't been keeping up with his stats and im just lazy to look it up but has howard even won a game yet? (nhl level)

Yes. See above posts.

[RWK23 0]

so because i dont know everything about Jimmy Howard and his stats mean i cant throw in my opinion about the idea of an unproven goalie playing in the NHL?

How, in your opinion, does a goalie get gain NHL experience? Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek, Chris Osgood....they were all unproven once. You have to give young kids a chance, so that they can gain experience. Playing behind a possible HOF candidate in Chris Osgood is a perfect opportunity to gain that experience.

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

so because i dont know everything about Jimmy Howard and his stats mean i cant throw in my opinion about the idea of an unproven goalie playing in the NHL?

Right. Especially when you say that he "struggled," when he actually had a .926 sv%. That just destroys all credibility, and takes up space in the interwebs that could be used for good porn.

[SFwingsfan 23]

I think Ken Holland and most everyone on this board (including myself) are just a little bit nervous about putting the fate of our sacred Red Wings in the hands of an unproven young goalie. Please help me get used to this idea because i'm having real trouble. Don't get me wrong I like Howard and he looked solid in starts this year. But we have lots of extra money to use under the cap, it would be easy for us to pick up an experienced proven goalie...

Edited June 10, 2008 by SFwingsfan

[tiff_luvs_homer 5]

buddaj was a beast for colorado when we played that series....i'm just sayin!

You're right, Budaj is an awesome goalie. I sincerely hope they put him as our main man and get rid of Theodore.

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

I think Ken Holland and most everyone on this board (including myself) are just a little bit nervous about putting the fate of our sacred Red Wings in the hands of an unproven young goalie. Please help me get used to this idea because i'm having real trouble. Don't get me wrong I like Howard and he looked solid in starts this year. But we have lots of extra money to use under the cap, it would be easy for us to pick up an experienced proven goalie...

Osgood. Why not get Howard's feet wet with 30-ish games in the NHL this year, and see how he does? I'm not trying to sound like a dick, but I don't get why everyone has such a big problem with this. Are we just supposed to keep him in the minors forever? Osgood is our #1, why not get Howard in there at #2? The time is now.

[RWK23 0]

Osgood. Why not get Howard's feet wet with 30-ish games in the NHL this year, and see how he does? I'm not trying to sound like a dick, but I don't get why everyone has such a big problem with this. Are we just supposed to keep him in the minors forever? Osgood is our #1, why not get Howard in there at #2? The time is now.

QFT. I completely agree. People keep talking about the lack of experience, but this is the perfect opportunity for him to gain that experience and take the next step towards becoming the next goalie of the Detroit Red Wings.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Kenny Holland was on the radio this morning and he said Howard is "getting closer". He also mentioned the fact that "we'll have some money to spend and can be pretty aggressive".

IMO it looks like the Wings will go after a veteran goalie via free agency.

Oh and cool site... This is my first post.

yea cause you know osgood isn't good enough to win us a cup...

[NEpats1028 1]

does this mean ryan miller will become the goalie of the future for the wings? there was bigtime talk about him signing with detroit once his contract is up with the sabres. give ozzie a few more good years and then bring miller in??

[The_Cub 0]

I'd like to see Jimmy get a chance. The games he's played up here at least last season he got no help at all.

[weGotTheCup89 41]

I'm a big fan of Howard, he really needs to get time in the NHL now.. We already let Stefan Liv get away, who knows what kind of goalie he could've been for us. With a defense like the Red Wings have, he should be able to stay in every game.

[CenterIce 83]

Ryan Miller has one more year left with Buffalo, on his current contract. I see Buffalo signing him to an extension this summer.

Here is a link to Howard's recent stats:

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

I am with the side of having a Osgood/Howard tandem to see how well Howard can play. You never know how a NHL player is going to turn out, until they get consistent play in the NHL, especially goalies. Have Osgood play about 50 games and Howard gets the rest. As others have said, if a more proven veteran is needed down the stretch, you can work a trade. However, Howard is not aiming for the number one spot right now, so what better than to have Osgood tutor him along.

[Earthhuman 8]

Wings defense is solid, it's the perfect situation for him to learn in. In a couple of years, no Lidstrom, no Chelios... better to do it now before Toronto gives him a shot and ruins his career.

For the record, he played excellent this season. After a few convincing games, I preferred him in net than any of the other goalies. He was in position. He made big saves. I don't think he was beaten on an outright shot once. Deflections and rebounds, from what I remember. And most of all, he was playing behind such superstars as Quincey, Meech, Ericsson, Lebda, Lilja, and Chelios.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Howard/Larsson, could be anyone really... they could also sign a UFA/RFA goalie if needed

Perhaps Larsson wanna get used to small rinks and the north american way of playing hockey and play many games in grand rapids...

I dont think Howard is ready just yet... training camp will tell.

Kenny Holland was on the radio this morning and he said Howard is "getting closer". He also mentioned the fact that "we'll have some money to spend and can be pretty aggressive".

IMO it looks like the Wings will go after a veteran goalie via free agency.

Oh and cool site... This is my first post.

The chances of Howard not playing backup to Osgood are slim to none. Honestly- there's a better chance that Howard takes Ozzy's job than there is of him staying in GR next year.

Howard's got one year of waiver exempt status left. Larsson is a fantastic prospect that needs a chance to get accustomed to the NA game.

If Howard doesn't back Oz up this year Larsson doesn't get tested in NA before he's forced to take over the reigns for Howard in GR.

If Howard doesn't get a year in as a backup next year the Wings will only have the 09-10 season to evaluate Howard before they're forced to decide on Ozzie's replacement (his contract is up in the summer of 2010).

I assure you guys- it will take a miracle for Larsson to end up the backup next year. Howard's more ready, Larsson has zero NA experience and very little seasoning. The Wings are high on Larsson, and hell- so am I, but it's foolish to push a goalie prospect in too early.

There's a reason why Howard is the Wings number one prospect- he's widely regarded as a bluechip prospect even outside the Wings system and he has an impressive set of personal achievements for a young goalie who hasn't played in Canada's national system.

EDIT: Someone mentioned the Wings letting Liv get away. The truth is he had an outstanding record in Sweden but he struggled in GR so much they sent him back to Sweden to keep developing. No one wants to see this happen again with Larsson.

Edited June 10, 2008 by Drake_Marcus

[Guest redwingsfan04]

The Wizard Of Oz can handle most of the load! Its now or never for Mr. Howard he has to step in and play 14-20 games barring injuries, he has to play them in typical wings fashion ending with a W

[shadow47 1]

What a tease that "now with Hasek news" part. I want Dwayne Roloson.

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

What a tease that "now with Hasek news" part. I want Dan Ellis

fixed for me

[daniel1 32]

Well if I was Holland and I wanted to keep all our options open I would let Howard back up Ozzie at the start of the season while Larsson goes to GR and we see what he can do. Ryan Miller becomes a UFA at the end of next season and I can't see him re-signing with Beefalo if he knows the Wings want him cause he's a Michigan product and probably is sick of the Sabres letting all their good players go and "rebuilding" every year. This means we can either try to obtain Miller in a trade near the end of next season or as a UFA in the offseason to team up with Ozzie if Howard s***s the bed. This way we get to see what Howard and Larsson can do at the next level of their development. I'm sure there will be other "veteran" goalies available throughout the course of the season if Howard is horrible and we need a more proven guy to back up Ozzie in the playoffs. Then Miller is here via UFA to "tandem" with Ozzie the season after next as that will be the last year of Ozzie's contract and we will hopefully have Mr. Miller signed here for the next 5 years or so after we acquire him.

[2probert4 8]

ELLIS ELLIS ELLIS... he was a monster during the first round of this playoffs

Ellis had one good series, but he will pad his retirement fund with a fat contract thats for sure. I think Howards performance will make or break him, if he is not impressive in what time he gets, will determine if they pursue Ryan Miller after the season