Howard = Average

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I get the feeling hes having a hard time getting into regular season games, he's made an all star team, now he has to prove they can win it all in front of him...

He's just looking too far ahead.

Edit: That or he's ridiculously over-stressing about the Olympics.

Edited December 7, 2013 by jimmyemeryhunter

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I get the feeling hes having a hard time getting into regular season games, he's made an all star team, now he has to prove they can win it all in front of him...

He's just looking too far ahead.

Edit: That or he's ridiculously over-stressing about the Olympics.

or 24/7

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

or 24/7

Trying to look good for the cameras instead of making the ugly saves.

Those cameras are gonna make monster look good, he's made some acrobatic ALMOST hasek-esque saves since theyve been filming.

[Timezown 3]

at the moment, howard is definitely average.

hope gust plays in the winter classic.. 8-0-1

would howard have made that matrix save? nope

[13dangledangle 959]

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

That too immature goalie was the one who was able to get us a playoff spot's all by himself, he has shown to those who forget (or too blind to see) that he is a stellar playoff performer & without a doubt earned his salary--------->Jimmy is obviously having a horrid start this year but thankfully The Monster is doing his job and then some, instead of asking for Howards head everyone should be thankful our backup is doing fantastic while Jimmy regains composure.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Ehhh.

I dunno about giving him the winter classic.

Defnitely play him until he loses.

And if he doesn't lose before then, fine, play him.

But thatll cause wayyy too many problems, and theirs already enough articles being written about a "goalie controversy," you don't want jimmy to lose all faith in himself.

[VM1138 1,921]

Agreed. All goalies go through a funk. Gus is winning, but so was Conklin back in what, 09? We have to remember Gus is still a backup. Backups have great streaks but we can't count on him being this good forever. Howard has a track record of success. I don't want to see him benched for stretches. They should keep alternating. It worked in 08 and 09.

[Internet.Unknown 422]

I get the feeling hes having a hard time getting into regular season games, he's made an all star team, now he has to prove they can win it all in front of him...

He's just looking too far ahead.

Edit: That or he's ridiculously over-stressing about the Olympics.

I'm not one of those people who moan about players' salaries. But I do think professional athletes are paid to perform year round, not just in the playoffs. A guy who can't perform in the regular season, to me, isn't playing like a professional. I certainly hope this isn't the case with Howard.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I'm not one of those people who moan about players' salaries. But I do think professional athletes are paid to perform year round, not just in the playoffs. A guy who can't perform in the regular season, to me, isn't playing like a professional. I certainly hope this isn't the case with Howard.

Agreed, it's probably not it how it is, he just hasn't looked like he's as into the games as he usually is, there's a lot going on around the wings with half the team going to the olympics, all the injuries and the HBO cameras.

Maybe hes just letting it all get to him.

And I'm not saying hes a diva or anything like that, but maybe the idea of hbo cameras being on him has him trying to make himself more aesthetic or make his style look cleaner.

Usually when he plays he gets that mad man/Gary busey look, where hes insanely wide eyed with that "I may have just murdered someone, I may not have," stare.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

If i were an athlete I'd tell HBO that I am introverted guy and they are not allowed to follow me with their cameras. Weiss needs to find his game in a hurry so stuff like HBO is the last thing he needs.

[gcom007 1,465]

Agreed. All goalies go through a funk. Gus is winning, but so was Conklin back in what, 09? We have to remember Gus is still a backup. Backups have great streaks but we can't count on him being this good forever. Howard has a track record of success. I don't want to see him benched for stretches. They should keep alternating. It worked in 08 and 09.

For the most part I agree. I think it's silly to write Howard off at this point. He's proven that he's a capable guy, and I'd say the odds are in his favor of bouncing back. The only thing I'm iffy on is the comparison to Conklin, though it's tentative. I'm not incredibly familiar with Gustavsson's overall career, but wasn't he in the running for a starting position in Toronto for awhile, though he was often troubled by heart issues or something? I thought I was reading early on when we signed him something about him potentially being more than just a backup, and that he was a guy with the kind of skills that could earn him a starting role. It's obvious who the Wings want the starter to be; just look at the contract he signed last year. But just going off my vague memories, it seems that it might not be as straightforward of a situation as looking at him as a career backup like Conklin or Legace were.

But all that said, I don't think it'd be smart to go with him in the playoffs even if he's the better goalie down the stretch. We signed Howard for the stretch, and if Gustavsson keeps this play up, we won't be signing him again. It just seems a bit stupid to bench your starting goalie when you know he's going to be in the picture for the long run given that he's also proven that he is capable of being much better. Osgood had a lousy 2009 regular season and was outstanding in the playoffs, so you just never know. You've got to keep riding Gustavsson for now because he's winning, and if he keeps winning, he should start the Winter Classic. That's when you can reward the current backup and send a message to the starter, not in the playoffs.

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Now that Gus has lost - Howard has his shot to take back the starting job. There is no doubt the wings brass wants him to be the guy going forward but need howard to justify his starts. Lets hope he takes this opportunity. I believe the best goalie should play so he needs to prove it.

[13dangledangle 959]

Now that Gus has lost - Howard has his shot to take back the starting job. There is no doubt the wings brass wants him to be the guy going forward but need howard to justify his starts. Lets hope he takes this opportunity. I believe the best goalie should play so he needs to prove it.

He lost with 2 goals against on 39 shots, recently howie has been been doubling that, and that is just in the 3rd -ZING- point is Monster is without a doubt playing the best hockey of his NHL career so far, Howard quite the opposite so I keep giving the nod to Jonas IMO

[gcom007 1,465]

Now that Gus has lost - Howard has his shot to take back the starting job. There is no doubt the wings brass wants him to be the guy going forward but need howard to justify his starts. Lets hope he takes this opportunity. I believe the best goalie should play so he needs to prove it.

While technically, yes, he got the loss, I would hardly say that Gus lost that game. He was about the only one on the team that seemed to be playing the game. Howard will get a start soon, but this absolutely won't derail any plans to not give Gus more starts. If Howard plays lights out hockey, that could change things, but I think we'll see a lot of back and forth for awhile until that actually happens.

[SDavis35 140]

He lost with 2 goals against on 39 shots, recently howie has been been doubling that, and that is just in the 3rd -ZING- point is Monster is without a doubt playing the best hockey of his NHL career so far, Howard quite the opposite so I keep giving the nod to Jonas IMO

Howard needs to get a start on the road, against a poor team... Tuesday @ Florida would be a great time to start... He'll have a good goalie to duel against, a team rejuvenated with the return of Datsyuk, and a low-scoring team to get his confidence built back up. Then give Gus the start Thursday @ Tampa, and Saturday vs. Pittsburgh. Howie @ Tampa Sunday and then see what's happening.

[RedWang 422]

Howard needs to get a start on the road, against a poor team... Tuesday @ Florida would be a great time to start... He'll have a good goalie to duel against, a team rejuvenated with the return of Datsyuk, and a low-scoring team to get his confidence built back up. Then give Gus the start Thursday @ Tampa, and Saturday vs. Pittsburgh. Howie @ Tampa Sunday and then see what's happening.

I think if howie wins tm we'll see him go against TB on thurs, if not we'll see Gus. Either way tho i think they'll play Gus vs Pitt.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

I think if howie wins tm we'll see him go against TB on thurs, if not we'll see Gus. Either way tho i think they'll play Gus vs Pitt.

Good deductions lol. You think Howie will play, if not it will be Gus lol

[RedWang 422]

Good deductions lol. You think Howie will play, if not it will be Gus lol

Well thats always the case isnt it? I just mean howie will only get ceonsecutive starts if he wins, otherwise it seems like against the good teams its gus' job to lose at this point.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Well thats always the case isnt it? I just mean howie will only get ceonsecutive starts if he wins, otherwise it seems like against the good teams its gus' job to lose at this point.

I was amused by your wording. You pulled a Babcock. We only have two goalies, and you basically said if one goalie doesn't play, the other will.

[RedWang 422]

I was amused by your wording. You pulled a Babcock. We only have two goalies, and you basically said if one goalie doesn't play, the other will.

Well in that case i'll take it as a compliment lol

[puckloo39 5,686]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jonas-gustavsson-not-starting-goalie-detroit-red-wings-153900582--nhl.html

Howard is #1 in Detroit, I agree with what this guy is saying... in fact, I've said most of it at one time or another.

I love Monster, too, don't get me wrong - but he's the back up.

[dragonballgtz 273]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jonas-gustavsson-not-starting-goalie-detroit-red-wings-153900582--nhl.html

Howard is #1 in Detroit, I agree with what this guy is saying... in fact, I've said most of it at one time or another.

I love Monster, too, don't get me wrong - but he's the back up.

Just wait until Mrázek gets up here. He will give Jimmy a run for his money

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jonas-gustavsson-not-starting-goalie-detroit-red-wings-153900582--nhl.html

Howard is #1 in Detroit, I agree with what this guy is saying... in fact, I've said most of it at one time or another.

I love Monster, too, don't get me wrong - but he's the back up.

Well it is written by a high school student who has Howard on his fantasy team.

[RedWang 422]

Just wait until Mrázek gets up here. He will give Jimmy a run for his money

At this rate a shooter trainer would give jimmy a run for his money. That said, i have high hopes for mrazek as well.

Anyone else think after Gus' big season he'll go somewhere else for a starting job/more money?

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

At this rate a shooter trainer would give jimmy a run for his money. That said, i have high hopes for mrazek as well.

Anyone else think after Gus' big season he'll go somewhere else for a starting job/more money?

Nah, I bet (and hope) he resigns for around 1.8-2m. I don't see Mrazek riding the bench for 50 games. Besides what's the rush with him??