Shutemdown 23 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 (edited) Just found this article on the Free Press: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...7/1053/SPORTS05 Someone in the comments after the article made a point that it still kind of seems, especially now with this article, that management is STILL a little shaky about this kid... What do you guys think? Edited September 3, 2008 by Shutemdown Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 (edited) I think there are 800 Jimmy Howard threads this could have been in. But I think the team will wait until next season see if he has it as Ozzie's back up, if not they will hope Larsson will, if not they will find some one else. Edit: I thought this post summed it up pretty well: It is all part of the Holland magic, never be left with only 1 option. If Howard outperforms Conklin or Osgood then he plays and we trade a very capable and cheap backup goalie away for future considerations or a low round draft pick or prospect. If Howard isn't quite ready then he gets to play a lot of games in Grand Rapids, probably gets called up for a handful of games and gets his fair shot next year. It is the same reason we have so many defenders, if one doesn't pan out the way we hope, someone else will. Edited September 3, 2008 by Opie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 The only thing I don't agree with is that Conklin won't be traded. No way Holland does a sign and trade, but waivers does make some sense. It makes cap sense to keep J-Ho down in the minors, but if he out performs Conklin then the only way I see "us" keeping J-Ho on the Wings is putting Conklin on waivers and trying to send him down to GR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 The Wings have 3 options to be the future in the net. 1) Howard 2) Larsson 3) McCollum (Who I think truly will be the future goalie of the Wings) And luckily they are all three behind each other in steps of progress...so when we try Howard, if he doesn't work Larsson is almost ready, and if we try him and he doesnt work McCollum is almost ready...they have goaltending depth for the next 4-5 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Howard's still the future #1, but it would be better for his development and safer for the team for him to play another season in GR. I don't think Kenny is giving lip service -- he really intends to have Howard on the team next year. Which is a perfectly reasonable plan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Howard would be ready now if this were one of about 25 other teams in the league. But these are the Red Wings, not the Thrashers or the Coyotes, and we have the luxury of being able to wait til a guy is a better player before calling him "ready". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 (edited) The linked article says "likely", not going to be. Anyway, it was basically a given that when they signed Conklin that he was going to be the backup. You don't sign a guy like that and just release or trade him before training camp. Howard has to really show something for that to happen. Detroit wants to keep this run going, and their organization usually prefers "known" veterans over "unknown" young players. It is not a fault on the young players. They always need games to show their worth, but in Detroit, that usually doesn't happen. You just have to hope that they don't lose any future players because they have to wait too long for their chance. Edited September 4, 2008 by CenterIce Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 The linked article says "likely", not going to be. Doesn't really contradict anything I said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dobbles 252 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Howard would be ready now if this were one of about 25 other teams in the league. But these are the Red Wings, not the Thrashers or the Coyotes, and we have the luxury of being able to wait til a guy is a better player before calling him "ready". i think thats the important thing to remember and i know i personally forget that sometimes. the thing that bothers me though is that howard has plenty of ahl experience now. i really wonder if another year down there benefits him that much? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2probert4 8 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Howard would be ready now if this were one of about 25 other teams in the league. But these are the Red Wings, not the Thrashers or the Coyotes, and we have the luxury of being able to wait til a guy is a better player before calling him "ready". Phoenix has a top notch goalie in Bryzgalov, no way does Howard beat him out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Howard will definitely have the chance to show he's NHL caliber, and I think it still will be with the Wings. And he definitely has plenty of years of hockey left in him assuming his play doesn't fall off the face of the earth and he stays healthy. Like a lot of other fringe 4th-liners on here that could be on the Wings, it is all about waivers. WAIVERS. Howard doesn't have the risk of being claimed by another team is he's on the Wings and gets sent back down to the minors for one more year. And with Conklin being signed to compete for the backup, it is probably better that Howard gets as much PT as possible in the minors, unless he just blows Conklin completely out of the water in competing for the #2 goalie position. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted September 4, 2008 Howard would be ready now if this were one of about 25 other teams in the league. But these are the Red Wings, not the Thrashers or the Coyotes, and we have the luxury of being able to wait til a guy is a better player before calling him "ready". I don't think that really applies to goaltenders. Sure defenseman, but not goalies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dump-N-Thump Report post Posted September 4, 2008 Jimmy knows this is his make or break year, I think he had a good showing in his stretch with us last year.. He couldn't win, but neither could ozzie, We had alot of injuries.. the good thing was that he looked good with his time.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted September 4, 2008 Phoenix has a top notch goalie in Bryzgalov, no way does Howard beat him out. Picky picky picky. You know what I mean. Actually, correction: you did kinda miss it. Phoenix does have one top notch goalie, but right now I'd take Howard over both Montoya and Tellqvist. I didn't say anything about starting in the league. I don't think that really applies to goaltenders. Sure defenseman, but not goalies. What do you mean? Look around the league and tell me you think Howard wouldn't at least be considered a backup on a lot of these teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
