kickazz 5,459 Report post Posted May 21, 2013 he didn't have much help either though The way I see it is, this is the best playoffs howard has had since coming into the league and he's doing it without Lidstrom, Rafalski and Stuart. In his first few years he didn't have an excuse for his mediocre play. But the fact that he's doing so great WITHOUT the three, shows how much he's matured and how good of a leader he's becoming. Good stuff. 1 Jonas Mahonas reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted May 21, 2013 Come on, guys... he's only good because he has Spectral Lidstrom playing in front of him... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Axe Report post Posted May 21, 2013 Come on, guys... he's only good because he has Spectral Lidstrom playing in front of him... Ha ha ha! Nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 Is he part of the problem? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDavis35 140 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 Is he part of the problem? (Jim Bedard I presume?) Is he inconsistently coaching? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtydangles 1,328 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 I would have said Howard was above average before this season. He hasn't "stolen" and games I can think of this season - which a starting goalie should do from time to time. Within this CURRENT team - Howard is an average goalie. I argue that Crawford would look just as average if he played on this team - neither are top calibre goalies in my mind. 1 datterberg1340 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 He just isn't playing as well as last season (or other seasons). Doesn't make him a bad (or average) goalie. He's a good goalie who is out of form right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWingsRox 614 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 It's the phenomenon where a player gets a big contract and the first year flops ... pressure to live up to the expectation. As I said in another thread, we may have to come to terms that this is going to be a downer year for him ... call it an MAF year. Let's hope he bounces back next year. He is average this year ... let's not sugar coat this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeGraa55 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 Brodeur would be average on this team of Dan cleary and Sammy's. 1 puckloo39 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 It's not that difficult, the Monster has been playing well so why not start him till Howy is getting his game gback seems like a no brainer to me. 2 Cloune and YMHC reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 How does Howie get his game back on the pine? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 How does Howie get his game back on the pine? This is a valid concern. However, it's all about getting points. Right now Gus is doing a good job of that, Babs has to balance winning with getting Howard going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted December 6, 2013 (edited) This is a valid concern. However, it's all about getting points. Right now Gus is doing a good job of that, Babs has to balance winning with getting Howard going. I'm almost certain that Gustavsson would have lost that game also. The Flyers were allowed too many open shots from soft areas. I would have said Howard was above average before this season. He hasn't "stolen" and games I can think of this season - which a starting goalie should do from time to time. Within this CURRENT team - Howard is an average goalie. I argue that Crawford would look just as average if he played on this team - neither are top calibre goalies in my mind. He came damned close to stealing some games, but there are shots that no goalie can stop. Edited December 6, 2013 by Crymson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dobbles 252 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 i don't think howard has played bad this year. however, i do think he is below his level of play the last few season. and now that he has that fairly large contract, he is looked at to be a guy that can make saves and win games. we often look at goals and say 'well it was the defensemans fault the goalie had no chance' and thats understandable, but to me, elite goalies are the ones making saves they have no business getting to. i always think back to those playoff series we had against the flames and kiprusoff... that dude made saves that no one should have made. and that to me is what defines a top level goalie. they not only stop all the shots they are expected to, but also some that they aren't. for several years our D has been bad and we have given up way too many odd man chances the last few years. and i feel howie has always gotten his share of saves that were of the elite quality. thats why i have always been a supporter when others haven't been. we look at some softies or something but ignore all the high quality saves he wouldnt have t make if our defense wasnt swiss cheese. so with that said, i think he's just been ok. however, gustafsson has been good. i think a lot has been luck with rebounds and posts and all that, but a lot of times, thats all a goalie needs. personally, i think they should continue to give gustafsson a decent amount of starts. let howard rest. he has played a lot of games the last few seasons and i feel it hurts us in the playoffs. let him get rest now so at the end of the year he hasnt been in 65+ games again. howard will get out of this funk eventually. hopefully the wings have enough healthy forwards to win some games between now and then! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larryd 0 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 Howard is paid big bucks to stop goals, you can't blame any other players for not doing his job. I think Gus is a much better player. Howard.....well, he's a very bad sport Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 Howard is paid big bucks to stop goals, you can't blame any other players for not doing his job. I think Gus is a much better player. Howard.....well, he's a very bad sport I agree Howie is paid a lot to stop pucks and he is not right now but how is he a bad sport? He is having a bad stretch like how many other players on this team have or are still? The thing that endeared me to Howard is his ability to continually learn, grow and bounce back and I have no doubt he will. I would still play the hot goalie more and right now that is Monster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoalieManPat 1,007 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 Howard is paid big bucks to stop goals And defenders are paid big bucks to cover players and clear them from the goalies sightline. Those were the main problems against Philly. Cant put it all on Howard when his defense is not doing there job. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,469 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 Howard is paid big bucks to stop goals, you can't blame any other players for not doing his job. I think Gus is a much better player. Howard.....well, he's a very bad sport Howard has never blamed anyone but himself, I think you're confused by the term "bad sport" 1 13dangledangle reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larryd 0 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 My opinion is that Howard is a bad sport. I haven't seen many goalies throw fits or break their stick because they miss the puck. I think he's too immature to play with the big boys. When he missed 3 quick goals last year, he claimed to have lost his vision.....kids stuff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 When it comes to throwing fits, he's no Tuukka Rask. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dobbles 252 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 My opinion is that Howard is a bad sport. I haven't seen many goalies throw fits or break their stick because they miss the puck. I think he's too immature to play with the big boys. When he missed 3 quick goals last year, he claimed to have lost his vision.....kids stuff you haven't seen much hockey then... players break their sticks all the time in frustration besides, i appreciate a player that gets emotional and pissed off when things aren't going well. thats the kind of player we need more of. 1 Internet.Unknown reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted December 6, 2013 My opinion is that Howard is a bad sport. I haven't seen many goalies throw fits or break their stick because they miss the puck. I think he's too immature to play with the big boys. When he missed 3 quick goals last year, he claimed to have lost his vision.....kids stuff Patrick WaWa threw a ton of fits, but then again he was too immature to have real success, right? Rask probably throws the most fits right now, but he's also bad like Roy, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcaractac 3,960 Report post Posted December 7, 2013 Might sound silly, but I think the Olympics might just be in Howard's head. Giroux had an abysmal start to the season for a similar reason. If he doesn't turn it around before the olympic break, it will be interesting to see how he performs after it is over with. 1 dirtydangles reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrimsonFlame 424 Report post Posted December 7, 2013 (edited) My opinion is that Howard is a bad sport. I haven't seen many goalies throw fits or break their stick because they miss the puck. I think he's too immature to play with the big boys. When he missed 3 quick goals last year, he claimed to have lost his vision.....kids stuff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-U9SN8gCLQ Lot's of goalies break sticks and throw tantrums. That doesn't mean anything. Edited December 7, 2013 by CrimsonFlame 1 Internet.Unknown reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted December 7, 2013 So far the monster has been better, so starting Jonas Gustavsson is a no brainer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites