Howard to start Saturday

[thedisappearer 291]

We can trade Howard for a first round pick and some other team's starter... right?

[Pucks 66]

This thread is funny. The only goalie to prove they can't play this year so far is Osgood. Now because he sucks, people want to throw away Howard before we know what he's capable of? The backup goaltender has to be worlds better than our starter to keep his job? Classic. Only in the wacky world of Red Wing's land. In this same crazy land somehow Halak is worth our entire farm system. You couldn't get more than a 2nd round pick for Halak, unless your dealing with Burke or Milbury.

If Howard sucks after he's been allowed to get some games and get a feel for the NHL then I'd be on board with a trade. To make a trade right now would be idiotic. It might lead to another situation where a young player was moved before he could show what he's capable of.

Edited October 24, 2009 by Pucks

[Guest gofish]

this is bad, wings get bombed tonight.

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

I predict that J Ho will want to prove himself badddd tonight, and with a banged up avs team especially after their loss of a key player in last nights game..I'm predicting Howard will shut alot of people up tonight and the wings will pull out a pretty big win.

[Doc Holiday 0]

This thread is funny. The only goalie to prove they can't play this year so far is Osgood.

Crap.

Now because he sucks, people want to throw away Howard before we know what he's capable of?

How long are we going to give him? Chris Osgood won a ******* cup at 24 and for his entire career has had his ability questioned. Howard is 25 and hasn't won a single NHL game, and has not been able to show Detroit that he can play.

The backup goaltender has to be worlds better than our starter to keep his job? Classic. Only in the wacky world of Red Wing's land.

Only in your world is anyone saying that. People want Howard to be competent in net. He hasn't gotten even close.

If Howard sucks after he's been allowed to get some games and get a feel for the NHL then I'd be on board with a trade. To make a trade right now would be idiotic. It might lead to another situation where a young player was moved before he could show what he's capable of.

How many is it going to take? Half the season? The whole season? Two? When is it going to be okay to say that Howard is not an NHL goaltender without people saying "but he hasn't had enough games!" ?

[Pucks 66]

Crap.

How long are we going to give him? Chris Osgood won a ******* cup at 24 and for his entire career has had his ability questioned. Howard is 25 and hasn't won a single NHL game, and has not been able to show Detroit that he can play.

Only in your world is anyone saying that. People want Howard to be competent in net. He hasn't gotten even close.

How many is it going to take? Half the season? The whole season? Two? When is it going to be okay to say that Howard is not an NHL goaltender without people saying "but he hasn't had enough games!" ?

More than 1 game this year in this country perhaps?

[Doc Holiday 0]

More than 1 game this year in this country perhaps?

So the previous years performances and the fact he wasn't "home" isn't any kind of indicator? Nor the preseason?

I'm not saying Howard should be traded now or that he is useless, but he has shown nothing to Detroit so far. He needs to show he can be a legit number two RIGHT now or I don't see why he should be on the roster.

[Pucks 66]

This kid has way too much pressure on him to be all world for some reason. He's a friggin rookie. Leino is a rookie. No one is saying he has to be pavel Datsyuk or he's getting traded. Ericsson is a rookie. He's playing like crap but no one is wanting to trade him. All the pressure that's being thrust upon Howard is directly related to Osgood no being able to be the #1.

If they wanted to have a goalie to be a 1A 1B with Osgood, they should have kept Conklin. They obviously thought they didn't need that. Maybe they were wrong. I don't know. To expect Howard to produce like a starter with 1/4 the starts is setting him up for failure.

To talk about his few starts from previous years or his AHL at this point is worthless. We could apply the same silliness to Quincey or Erricsson and see it's relevance.

What matters is now, today and beyond. Let's give him the same patience that people love to give Osgood. Let's give him a chance first.

Edited October 24, 2009 by Pucks

[Doc Holiday 0]

This kid has way too much pressure on him to be all world for some reason. He's a friggin rookie. Leino is a rookie. No one is saying he has to be pavel Datsyuk or he's getting traded.

And no one is saying Howard needs to be Martin Brodeur. He needs to be competent, as does Leino. And Leino is showing he is more than just competent. Howard isn't even close yet.

Ericsson is a rookie. He's playing like crap but no one is wanting to trade him. All the pressure that's being thrust upon Howard is directly related to Osgood no being able to be the #1.

Ericsson is not playing like crap. He is showing that he has a lot of talent but he is making rookie mistakes. Howard isn't just making rookie mistakes, he is playing poorly and not showing Detroit that he has the skills necessary to make it in this league.

And no, the pressure has been thrust on Howard since he was considered to be a backup for the Wings. It has nothing to do with Osgood's performance (which you are wrong on).

If they wanted to have a goalie to be a 1A 1B with Osgood, they should have kept Conklin. They obviously thought they didn't need that. Maybe they were wrong. I don't know. To expect Howard to produce like a starter with 1/4 the starts is setting him up for failure.

They couldn't afford Conklin. They don't want and don't expect Howard to be a 1b goaltender. They expect him to be a COMPETENT NUMBER TWO GOALTENDER as I have stated numerous times.

NO ONE IS EXPECTING HIM TO PLAY LIKE A STARTER. THEY ARE EXPECTING HIM TO PLAY LIKE A GOALIE WHO CAN MAKE SAVES.

To talk about his few starts from previous years or his AHL at this point is worthless. We could apply the same silliness to Quincey or Erricsson and see it's relevance.

Well Ericsson showed Detroit he had skills very shortly after playing for the Wings, and Quincey had one good playoff run then proceeded to get outplayed by some of Detroit's worst defenseman. What's your point?

What matters is now, today and beyond. Let's give him the same patience that people love to give Osgood. Let's give him a chance first.

Once again, Osgood earned his patience. Howard hasn't earned anything yet.

[Pucks 66]

And no one is saying Howard needs to be Martin Brodeur. He needs to be competent, as does Leino. And Leino is showing he is more than just competent. Howard isn't even close yet.

I agree he's doing fine for a rookie. He has a bigger sample size to work with from this year.

Ericsson is not playing like crap. He is showing that he has a lot of talent but he is making rookie mistakes. Howard isn't just making rookie mistakes, he is playing poorly and not showing Detroit that he has the skills necessary to make it in this league.

I like Ericsson ,but he's playing very poorly. I believe he will be better.

And no, the pressure has been thrust on Howard since he was considered to be a backup for the Wings. It has nothing to do with Osgood's performance (which you are wrong on).

Yes there is too much pressure. Osgood's performance this season is pretty much same as last year. Not good. We will not agree on this. I'll post some of his numbers for posterity.

Rookie season 93-94 - .895 2.86 dead puck era. Not good I'm sure you'll agree. If Howard posted these numbers would that be ok with you?

Last year 08-09 .887 3.09 Not good I'm sure you'll agree. we waited the entire year for him to get his game in order, or stop being lazy, or stop drinking, or whatever you want to place here. He played good in the playoffs IMO.

This year 09-10 .890 3.17 Looking pretty much the same as last year. Same bad bounces, same excuses for his play. Only this year we don't have the offense to bail him out.

They couldn't afford Conklin. They don't want and don't expect Howard to be a 1b goaltender. They expect him to be a COMPETENT NUMBER TWO GOALTENDER as I have stated numerous times.

NO ONE IS EXPECTING HIM TO PLAY LIKE A STARTER. THEY ARE EXPECTING HIM TO PLAY LIKE A GOALIE WHO CAN MAKE SAVES.

Yes they could have afforded Conklin easily. They chose a rookie backup instead. We've already covered this.

Well Ericsson showed Detroit he had skills very shortly after playing for the Wings, and Quincey had one good playoff run then proceeded to get outplayed by some of Detroit's worst defenseman. What's your point?

My point was Quincey played poorly for a small period of time and didn't get a proper chance to show what he was capable of.

Once again, Osgood earned his patience. Howard hasn't earned anything yet.

Agreed, let's give him the same opportunity.

Edited October 24, 2009 by Pucks

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

Seconded. I have faith in Howard, and I think that Osgood hasn't been anything to write home to mom aobut yet this season. Give the kid his fair shake, Jesus.

[Nero 20]

Osgood is a proven high caliber goalie who turns into a monster in the playoffs.

Howard is an unproven goalie with a history of inconsistency and underperformance. We know Ozzie will get better. There are no such assumptions for Howard yet. So yes, there is the mentality of: trade him while we can get something for him.

I obviously wasn't clear enough. The team isn't winning right now. This proven, high caliber goalie isn't winning games for Detroit. So Holland should throw Howard overboard because he might not perform better than a three-time Cup winning goalie? You're just being silly.

Hockey is a team sport.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

This kid has way too much pressure on him to be all world for some reason. He's a friggin rookie. Leino is a rookie. No one is saying he has to be pavel Datsyuk or he's getting traded. Ericsson is a rookie. He's playing like crap but no one is wanting to trade him. All the pressure that's being thrust upon Howard is directly related to Osgood no being able to be the #1.

If they wanted to have a goalie to be a 1A 1B with Osgood, they should have kept Conklin. They obviously thought they didn't need that. Maybe they were wrong. I don't know. To expect Howard to produce like a starter with 1/4 the starts is setting him up for failure.

To talk about his few starts from previous years or his AHL at this point is worthless. We could apply the same silliness to Quincey or Erricsson and see it's relevance.

What matters is now, today and beyond. Let's give him the same patience that people love to give Osgood. Let's give him a chance first.

How so? Pressure??? From who? He has had to "fight" for a job the past couple years and FAILED!.

This year he was GIVEN the job! pressure??? to do what? All he has to do is live up to the Hype that was given to us!

Holland was excited to give him the job....and Obviously Babcock knows what he has in Howard, which is why he hasnt started at JLA this year and until now Osgood started 6 in a row!

Howard was yanked in the playoffs last year in GR...why? cause he could not handle the......wait for it.........PRESSURE!

Welcome to the NHL.....pressure is every night when your a goalie in "Hockeytown"

Howard has a total of 11 credited games in the NHL....and a 1-6 record....the other 4? one he came in for Osgood in Buffalo and the rest HE was yanked.

SHOW US JIMMY!!!!!! what do you have!!!!? He has shown us, and Im not impressed!

[Viking_Erection 1]

I'm all for Howard playing lots of games this year. I hope he plays as much as Conks did for us last season.

[sureWhyNot 19]

I am confused at what people expect from Howard? If anyone is under the impression that he is capable of being an above average NHL goalie - we are talking a sub 3.00 GAA and plus .900 SV % - they are sorely mistaken. The guys is what he is.

Great college goalie, OK AHL goalie, below average NHL goalie. Period.

[Holmstrom96 347]

I like turtles.

[eva unit zero 271]

If Howard is a guy who can play 25 games and win 15 this year, I'll be happy. Whether that means a 2.2 GAA/.920% or a 3.2 GAA/.880%, I don't care. Granted, it will mean I would rather have him replaced in the backup role with someone better if he has the worse numbers, as long as the team wins with him in net that's the most important thing.

That's why I have always been a big supporter of Ozzie. He hasn't always been the top goalie in the league, but he has always been clutch and he has always been able to play to his team's strengths, rather than needing his team to adapt to or protect him like many other goalies have had to rely on. That is a major reason Ozzie has one of the best winning percentages of all-time and has never missed the playoffs, despite playing for some teams in New York and St. Louis that were comprised largely of minor league talent.

[ltgator333 3]

Well good I guess we'll be getting closer to actually knowing how he'll do in the NHL for real.

Because reality > opinion.

If the guy gives me something TO about, I will. I think for me that would take more than 3 pucks in his net at this point of time.

[Chelichic 12]

I hope he is better then last year. GO WINGS!!!!!!!

[Opie 308]

He was outplayed by Anderson last night, although I would have liked to see anyone beat Anderson last night. That kid was on fire!!

J-ho looked decent, the first goal was completely the fault of the D not getting rid of the puck. Ericsson whiffed on the puck it ended up on Stewart's stick who fed a beauty to Giliardi who roofed a backhand that Howard would have had to been out of his mind to save.

The second goal I don't think was as good of a shot as the Avs announcer did (Center Ice feed was Avs and he thought it was the best shot ever)

I though J-Ho should have had it, but all in all good performance, This team should be able to score 2 goals.

This loss is on the offense and to a larger degree Anderson.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Not to take anything away from Ozzie, but I think Howard should be given the start Tuesday as well. Just to see how he handles it.

[ltgator333 3]

I'm with you two above I think he looked fine, the second goal was a little shaky but 1 goal for lost Howard the game. If he can play that well or maybe a little better I'm fine with him starting some games.

[NGKEIB 32]

I agree with the sentiment here; Howard's performance last night was okay, and certainly didn't cost the team the game. First goal was Ericsson and Rafalski with a nice combo assist move, and the 2nd one I'm sure he'd like back, but he made some good saves. It was the offense I was concerned with...

[NGKEIB 32]

And I think that the coaching staff should give him a vote of confidence after this performance to show that it wasn't his fault that we lost by starting him in the next game.

[Broken 16 381]

I am confused at what people expect from Howard? If anyone is under the impression that he is capable of being an above average NHL goalie - we are talking a sub 3.00 GAA and plus .900 SV % - they are sorely mistaken. The guy is what he is.

Great college goalie, OK AHL goalie, below average NHL goalie. Period.

I hate when people say this in regards to other people. ANYBODY (this includes you) is capable of greatness if they put their mind to it and have a solid support foundation. The mind is an amazing thing.

Edited October 25, 2009 by Broken 16