597 replies to this topic

[The Axe]

I just dont see how he can be in the middle of the pack and not be called average.

[irishock]

I just dont see how he can be in the middle of the pack and not be called average.

 

Agreed. He should be having shutouts with the stacked defense we have.

[Crymson]

Agreed. He should be having shutouts with the stacked defense we have.

 

Nonsense. If he were elite, he wouldn't need a defense at all!

 

Edited by Crymson, 16 February 2013 - 02:31 PM.

[Jericho613]

Howard has always been an average goalie. Doesn't mean he's horrible, just not elite, we never needed a goalie to be elite(2008 playoffs Osgood was damn near elite though) before cuz of the stacked Wings teams we've seen. Now with a hurt D and a sputtering offense its obvious. Personally Howard can walk after this season and I wouldn't care especially if this Mrazek kid plays well again. I say its time for the kids, let all the old guys go, I'd rather see the Grand Rapids Red Wings than the Berts and Clearys on this team.

[The Axe]

Howard has always been an average goalie. Doesn't mean he's horrible, just not elite, we never needed a goalie to be elite(2008 playoffs Osgood was damn near elite though) before cuz of the stacked Wings teams we've seen. Now with a hurt D and a sputtering offense its obvious. Personally Howard can walk after this season and I wouldn't care especially if this Mrazek kid plays well again. I say its time for the kids, let all the old guys go, I'd rather see the Grand Rapids Red Wings than the Berts and Clearys on this team.

Exactly how i feel.

[MabusIncarnate]

I just dont see how he can be in the middle of the pack and not be called average.

For the same reason why you can't look at Quick and Lundquist's numbers this season and call them both average/below average because they are in "the middle of the pack" also. Lundy is right there with Howard statistically, he isn't average, Quick's numbers are worse than Howard and he's not average. Statistics aren't accurate this early in the season, plain and simple. This is the point i've been trying to stress here. You base a Goalie's skill on play, performance, and how well they can keep you in a game, not early season statistics. You are judging purely on stats and the stats for the most part this year lie. Howard gave up 4 last night with 36 shots against, on paper that's an average performance. Watching the actual game and seeing how many were not his fault and lapses of defense tells the story differently, just about any NHL goalie would have allowed 3-5 goals last night regardless of who it was. If the title of this thread was "Our Defense = Average" you wouldn't read a single word of debate coming from me.

[Johnz96]

I just dont see how he can be in the middle of the pack and not be called average.

Half of the team is injured

[blgillett]

We by far the worst Defense the wings have ever had and your blaming Howard it wouldn't matter who was in net they wouldn't stand a chance. We have no one that I would call a top four Defenseman

[The Axe]

We by far the worst Defense the wings have ever had and your blaming Howard it wouldn't matter who was in net they wouldn't stand a chance. We have no one that I would call a top four Defenseman

I am not blaming Howard for anything. Im saying he's average.

[shoobiedoobin]

May as well lock this ridiculous crap. It's not about opinion or unbiased debate anymore, it's officially turned into a contest.

[The Axe]

May as well lock this ridiculous crap. It's not about opinion or unbiased debate anymore, it's officially turned into a contest.

I just like how Howard has the lowest stats of any team currently in a playoff seed, but others say blah blah blah. He's a good goalie. Not a great one.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing)]

I can't believe this thread isn't locked yet.

[The Axe]

I can't believe this thread isn't locked yet.

Why? Its a very relevant point. Why dont you prove it wrong instead of griping?

[irishock]

I just like how Howard has the lowest stats of any team currently in a playoff seed, but others say blah blah blah. He's a good goalie. Not a great one.

Doesn't mean s*** 14 games into the season

[The Axe]

Doesn't mean s*** 14 games into the season

In 10 games, we are halfway. Howard will be under 500 by then.

[Serratoni]

People who say Howard is not an elite goaltender must have never played a single shift of hockey in their lives. The way he cuts down the angles on breakaways and shootouts. The way he has progressed tremendously from two years ago. The way he slides from side to side on 2-on-1s. With our suspect defense and power play, Howard keeps us in the game every game.

 

While I think Howard is so far above average, the logic above is faulty. One need not play hockey to understand it. Many sports broadcasters and writers haven't played, yet they are paid for their knowledge and commentary. Many astronomers have never been to outerspace. The possible examples are endless.

[Serratoni]

I am not blaming Howard for anything. Im saying he's average.

 

You've said he's average. You've said he's good but not elite. Which one is it? Stick to a story.

[irishock]

In 10 games, we are halfway. Howard will be under 500 by then.

 

And guess what, when the season is over he'll have played less than 40 games, which is half a full season. Are we supposed to conclude that he's average because he played like an average goalie with Kronwall and a bunch of AHL-calibre defensemen and on top of that, in an unfriendly lockout-shortened season?

Edited by irishock, 17 February 2013 - 12:57 AM.

[13dangledangle]

EVERYONE here who IS a Red Wings fan who has seen Jimmy Howard play at an "elite" level knows this thread = retarded

[The Axe]

EVERYONE here who IS a Red Wings fan who has seen Jimmy Howard play at an "elite" level knows this thread = retarded

I saw that ONE game this year.