RedFX 48 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 Soooo Howard has never played more than 3 NHL games in a season, and yet people are acting like he's the worst goalie ever invented in the history of ever. Perhaps we should wait until we pass judgement? Obviously Kenny and Babs have enough confidence to keep him around, so that's good enough for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sureWhyNot 19 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 When did we we resign Maltby to his last contract? Serious question - was it over the summer last year, or was it two years ago? Lineup looks solid - I am not worried. Do I think we will be as good from the get go as last year - probably not. But that said, if our young guys can pick up their play we have a whole new look and feel of a team - younger. This was something we were going to have to move towards sooner then later so I am actually kinda glad we are getting it going now. Who knows - I am not thrilled with the off season - a sentiment I think a lot of fans are feeling. But at the end of the day, we are dealing with a salary cap - and you can't do anything about it. I mean our core is sick, and hell, I think our team may be a little hungrier, and even have a little chip on their shoulder - something I don't really think they were playing with last year. The one thing that scares me though is Howard. I have watched Howard quite a bit in Grand Rapids and quite frankly - he is not NHL caliber. Hopefully this is a stop gap, but if god forbid, Ozzie can't go for any extended amount of time - we could be in trouble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sureWhyNot 19 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 Soooo Howard has never played more than 3 NHL games in a season, and yet people are acting like he's the worst goalie ever invented in the history of ever. Perhaps we should wait until we pass judgement? Obviously Kenny and Babs have enough confidence to keep him around, so that's good enough for me. There is a good reason why he hasn't played in the regular season. Look at his pre season stats, he has played a handful of games over the years and they are nothing to write home about either. "Confidence" had absolutely nothing to do with the decision to bring him up - nada. $$$$$ was the issue my friend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deetroit dario 27 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 Soooo Howard has never played more than 3 NHL games in a season, and yet people are acting like he's the worst goalie ever invented in the history of ever. Perhaps we should wait until we pass judgement? Obviously Kenny and Babs have enough confidence to keep him around, so that's good enough for me. and while we're trusting kenny and babs, lets spread some of that faith around to the "new kids". yeah, they've yet to feel the toll of a full 82 games in the nhl...but these aren't entirely "fresh faced" kids, either. anywhere else, they'd've been brought up to the roster last year, if not prior! the only one who might actually need that little extra seasoning is abby, and even this i doubt because really the only complaint i've heard about him so far is that he's too much of a natural center to play wing. i'm no nhl coach, but i think i see a way past that issue...4th line center. just saying...we're still the wings. we respect our vets, and inspire our rooks. and our worst game is still better than many teams' best. yeah, its gonna be different this year. new faces new challenges and all the other s*** they like to narrate sports dvds with. but some folks are starting to sound like suddenly we're the lions!! myself, i'll start worrying when and if we're in danger of not making the playoffs. until that unlikeliest of doomsdays, in kenny and babs i trust! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKWING 8 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 Chelios is gone and somewhere I saw Kenny is trading a D man before the start of the season? Might not be true but if it is true, we will have 4 of the same "D" men. But I have noticed that the one guy I personally have been hoping to get rid of is still sliding below the radar Everyone wants Helm, Leino. Hudler to step up.... What about Flip? no one wants him to earn his 4 mill? I get what everyone is saying about these young guys to come in... But the fact remains that this team is minus a good set of veteran leaders from that 08 team. I want them to win it all just like everyone else, But there are alot of question marks about this years squad all these people making statements about how good Leino is gonna be and how awesome Abdelkader is gonna be.... my question is...How do you know? I never stated that the young kids can't do it. I'm voicing my worries about a strong playoff push. chelios slowed down badly that season and was benched for the SCF so the wings still have the same 6 defencemen who won the cup plus ericsson. holland said they will trade someone but it will likely be lebda or meech anyway so the D will be in strong shape. i don't expect leino, abdelkader or helm to be awesome - they are replacing role players so they don't need to be awesome; they just need to play hard and chip in with goals occasionally. sammy, drake and kopecky had just 19 goals and 58 points between them during the regular season in 08 so i expect leino, helm and abdelkader to be able to make up for that and provide some good energy and physical play too. and flip is only earning $3m and just led all wings players in assists in the playoffs so i am not worried about him at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGKEIB 32 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 I'm going with what we have, assuming we re-sign Leino and Hudler. Franzén-Zetterberg-Cleary Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmström/Leino Hudler-Helm-Holmström/Leino Oulahen/depth player FA-Draper-Maltby Meech/Oulahen/depth player FA Lidström-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lebda Meech (assuming Lilja is either injured (so not playing) or healthy (possibly traded) Osgood Howard Oulahen is out of options, and is a good shutdown guy. Apparently not the best hitter, but hopefully he can learn from some of the guys on the big team. I don't want to lose another player to waivers, esp. if the player shows significant (albeit defensive/shutdown) potential. There is no point having Abdelkader on a fourth line, as he will stagnate. If he can't get good minutes in Detroit, he needs to stay in GR. He could maybe play on the 3rd line, but I don't think that Holmström will be demoted to the fourth line. Re Oulahen, however, the fact that he has not been mentioned by Holland, MLive or anything gives me the impression that we may see him go... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
