11/11 GDT: Red Wings 9 at Blue Jackets 1

[BlueMonk 102]

Mike Commodore with the -4, 0 points and a slashing penalty. Mike Babcock says, SUCK IT.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

What a beautiful game.

Every one of the lines is clicking right now. Leino-Zetterberg-Cleary seem to have great chemistry. Leino's back to his old self all of the sudden-- his play after the goal was so much better than before it. He definitely was suffering from a rookie-confidence problem. Can't wait to see that line play tomorrow.

Datsyuk and Bert are really clicking well too. Looks like Bert's got the goal monkey off his back now (earlier in the game he couldn't buy a goal no matter how well he played).

Both the Forwards and the D did a great job clearing the zone tonight, as did the PK.

Overall this game was fantastic... but then again what else do you expect a fan to say after a 9-1 win?

[Zetts 236]

He's a rookie with less nhl games than I have fingers and toes. Sure he has a rebound problem, but its better than the alternative: having a 1st shot problem (such as what Osgood seems to have this year).

There are a lot of differences in moving from the AHL to the NHL. But rebound control should not just go out the window. I personally don't believe that this is just a lack of experience. He should have gotten rebound control figured out in the AHL. Hell, Joey Macdonald had better rebound control, and nobody was ever too high on him.

Again, having said that, I'm not saying that we should dump the kid. I hope he turns it around. I was never thinking we'd be getting anything close to an all star performance from the guy, but I was hoping for something a little better from the man who was touted as the Wings' future in net for a long time.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Happy to see Howard get the win, but reading through the GDT looks like he's got some rebound issues. He's still young for the NHL, he'll get it. Also, great job for the secondary scoring to step it up.

[Opie 308]

He's a rookie with less nhl games than I have fingers and toes. Sure he has a rebound problem, but its better than the alternative: having a 1st shot problem (such as what Osgood seems to have this year).

Take your logic and patience with a rookie elsewhere!

He should be Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur now, no goalie that is ever good in the NHL is ever bad in the first 20 games of the NHL.

/sarcasm

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Why is it always the games I miss where the Wings play lights-out hockey?

I dunno, but could you skip tomorrow's game so we keep this play going?

[Drake_Marcus 890]

That's what I'm scared of.

That's where coaching comes in. It's up to Babcock to make sure this play continues tomorrow. He's got to make sure people don't start playing like last year and keep the defensive play tight.

[Vladiator 116]

Awesome game. What??? 9 goals and no Arby's curly fries???? This has got to be some kind of conspiracy!!! Bad enough that Arby's downgraded to curly fries from a sandwich last season (and like they really got killed on that promo last season).

[Drake_Marcus 890]

There are a lot of differences in moving from the AHL to the NHL. But rebound control should not just go out the window. I personally don't believe that this is just a lack of experience. He should have gotten rebound control figured out in the AHL. Hell, Joey Macdonald had better rebound control, and nobody was ever too high on him.

Again, having said that, I'm not saying that we should dump the kid. I hope he turns it around. I was never thinking we'd be getting anything close to an all star performance from the guy, but I was hoping for something a little better from the man who was touted as the Wings' future in net for a long time.

It's funny because scouts said his rebound control was excellent when he's on his game. Here's his scouting report from redwingscentral.com (the report was written before this season when he was still a prospect):

Strengths:

Hybrid goalie whose style is cross between stand-up and butterfly ... Mixes various styles and uses smarts to go down or stay on feet when appropriate ... Big-save goaltender who has a history of performing in clutch situations ... Excellent size, poise and fundamentals ... Makes effortless saves and puck just seems to hit him ... Doesn't give up any rebounds and sucks everything in ... Can look unbeatable at times because of smarts, positioning and angle play ... Calm, composed in goal ... CBC analyst Kelly Hrudey compares Howard to Tim Thomas.

Weaknesses:

Still can't shake inconsistency, and needs to figure out a way to level out the highs and lows if he expects to be a No. 1 goaltender in the NHL ... Needs to keep his confidence and focus when things aren't going well ... Struggles with rebounds and high shots when off his game.

[Systemfel 33]

Hey. Couldn't watch the game, so about Lidstrom's ice time... He only played 16:23, he didn't get injured, did he?

[Zetts 236]

It's funny because scouts said his rebound control was excellent when he's on his game. Here's his scouting report from redwingscentral.com (the report was written before this season when he was still a prospect):

Then I guess he's nowhere close to being on his game. That's my point. He needs to get it turned around. This is his chance.

[EuroTwin 240]

What a great game. I'm so happy and sort of in shock.

I'm going with the theory that this is the kick in the ass our season needed and from now on we will play like this forever. I call this the RED WINGS SMASH-hulkification.

[Opie 308]

There are a lot of differences in moving from the AHL to the NHL. But rebound control should not just go out the window. I personally don't believe that this is just a lack of experience. He should have gotten rebound control figured out in the AHL. Hell, Joey Macdonald had better rebound control, and nobody was ever too high on him.

Again, having said that, I'm not saying that we should dump the kid. I hope he turns it around. I was never thinking we'd be getting anything close to an all star performance from the guy, but I was hoping for something a little better from the man who was touted as the Wings' future in net for a long time.

Good point because the talent and shots that J-ho faced at the AHL are the same he is facing in the NHL.

Just like a guy that scores 40 in the OHL he should be able to do it in the NHL right?

I get that you are not one of the guys calling for the kids head, but to say handling shots in the AHL is the same as in the NHL is absurd and borders on ludacris (HEHEHEHE). Because that is what rebound control is all about, his ability to handle the shot and then direct it where he wants.

Joey Mac had/has nowhere near the raw Talent Howard has, your comparison shows your limited knowledge or lack of objectiveness on this situation.

Do the red wings screw up talent evals from time to time, but why is it so difficult for fans of the team of the decade to have faith that they chose the right BACKUP!

Have the Wings said Howard is the future since he was drafted?

When has Ken H or any one else said Howard is for sure the number one netminder of the future?

But again LGW would not be happy with a 9-1 win, no way in hell, not happening!

[Zetts 236]

Take your logic and patience with a rookie elsewhere!

He should be Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur now, no goalie that is ever good in the NHL is ever bad in the first 20 games of the NHL.

/sarcasm

...I don't think anybody is going overboard here, he isn't immune to criticism. I'm just saying he's got to get on track since he's likely not on the longest of leashes. I believe I've repeatedly said that we should NOT give up on him.

[EuroTwin 240]

Hey. Couldn't watch the game, so about Lidstrom's ice time... He only played 16:23, he didn't get injured, did he?

No, he didn't. I think they were trying to keep his ice time down because we play tomorrow as well.

[Doggy 130]

And this was Hitchcock's 1000 game.

I can't believe you just made a thread "Miller claimed off waivers"!!

Seriously, dude.

Sorry, I know it's OT but come on. That's too funny.

[Cern 0]

I dunno, but could you skip tomorrow's game so we keep this play going?

I think I'm going to have to, there's some stupid orientation thing I gotta go to tomorrow night.

[Wing Across The Pond 196]

His play was (in my eyes anyways) pretty bad.

His rebound control was only minimized by the defense being in perfect position to clear loose pucks. And his five hole? Besides the goal (in which, if you look, it was impossible NOT to score since his pad was completely off the ice even after he'd already gotten over), there was that chance by, I believe, Filatov. He slipped it through Howard's legs and barely wide on one of the weakest piddly little chips of a puck I've ever seen.

I hate dumping on anyone, particularly after a 9-1 win, but...well, I guess let's just see how J-Ho does in his next start.

On a more positive note, everyone else was great!

I know it's not the best of attitudes but, he stopped all but one shot. As long as the defence clear out the loose pucks in front then I don't care how bad his rebound control is.

P.S. This is a victory post for the D men tonight. I still think Howard has a lot to learn. But at least he's getting there.

[BlueMonk 102]

It's funny because scouts said his rebound control was excellent when he's on his game. Here's his scouting report from redwingscentral.com (the report was written before this season when he was still a prospect):

Funny thing about that scouting report is they praise him for his positioning and angle play, then mention that Kelly Hrudey compares him to... Tim Thomas?! Heh, not exactly what you think of from Thomas, who is a pretty unconventional goaltender.

[Zetts 236]

Good point because the talent and shots that J-ho faced at the AHL are the same he is facing in the NHL.

Just like a guy that scores 40 in the OHL he should be able to do it in the NHL right?

I get that you are not one of the guys calling for the kids head, but to say handling shots in the AHL is the same as in the NHL is absurd and borders on ludacris (HEHEHEHE). Because that is what rebound control is all about, his ability to handle the shot and then direct it where he wants.

Joey Mac had/has nowhere near the raw Talent Howard has, your comparison shows your limited knowledge or lack of objectiveness on this situation.

Do the red wings screw up talent evals from time to time, but why is it so difficult for fans of the team of the decade to have faith that they chose the right BACKUP!

Have the Wings said Howard is the future since he was drafted?

When has Ken H or any one else said Howard is for sure the number one netminder of the future?

But again LGW would not be happy with a 9-1 win, no way in hell, not happening!

Ok, here we go:

First, obviously shot quality is different. But if you master rebound control in the AHL, you should be reasonably competent at it in the NHL. Let's be honest, he doesn't seem to know where the puck is going a fair bit of the time.

Second, I never made any comment on raw talent or any sort of projection for Macdonald. I merely made a comment on rebound control. The comment was, in fact, based off the premise that overall Howard is better, yet Macdonald still had better rebound control.

Third, I DO have faith in the Wings evaluation, thus me repeatedly saying that we should not dump him.

Fourth, articles like:

http://national-hockey-league-nhl.suite101...e_for_red_wings

and

http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/200...pectsWatch.html

with such quotes as:

Howard is tabbed as the Red Wings’ goalie of the future.

and

Goaltender Jimmy Howard is the key behind any Stanley Cup successes the Detroit Red Wings might have in future years.

leading me to think these things. And since I sadly don't have the time to watch every Grand Rapids game on top of the Wings games, I have to go with other evaluations.

Anything else?

PS I find it just as frustrating as you do that this has turned into an argument about Howard. I loved the game. I just said he'd need to pick it up, seeing as how we won't be trouncing teams 9-1 every night.

Edited November 12, 2009 by Zetts

[mjlegend 155]

Any word on if the BJs made the Red Wings bleed tonight, like Dracula Hitchcock wanted?

[PrairieDawg 52]

How come I go to NHL.com and see no storyline for this game?

Wings winning 9-1 isn't a big deal?

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

How come I go to NHL.com and see no storyline for this game?

Wings winning 9-1 isn't a big deal?

It must not be up yet. As with video highlights, it takes a few for everything to get done at the conclusion of the game.

[egroen 384]

How come I go to NHL.com and see no storyline for this game?

Wings winning 9-1 isn't a big deal?

Was Crosby there?

HELLO(!!!???), McFly!!

Edited November 12, 2009 by egroen

[Duck Guy 86]

Was Crosby there?

HELLO(!!!???), McFly!!

funny... i was going to say the same thing...