601 replies to this topic

[rrasco]

Howard kept is in a lot of games until now. Where were you then?

 

We lose, Howard sucks, every forward sucks, every defender sucks, the world is ending, get the razorblades and candles it's time to check out!

 

We win, we're awesome, life is good and we're acting as peppy as a guy in an ad for boner pills.

 

I wonder why I even come here after a loss.

 

Cuz you love it.  I usually try to wait until the next day so I can see the whole storm for what is was.

[Yak19]

They have lost Lidstrom, Rafalski, and Stuart on the blueline that is a huge defensive dropoff. Howard has also played every game this season. Played 2 good games against Dallas, should have won against the Blackhawks but the Wings could not buy a goal, first game against St. Louis was not his fault at all, and these last two games have been a result of no rest for him and the team playing poorly in front of him.

[shoobiedoobin]

Cuz you love it.  I usually try to wait until the next day so I can see the whole storm for what is was.

 

I can't remember many times I've come here after a loss. No, I don't love it.

[redwings15]

Are you serious? Howard is the best guy out there right now. He's consistent. He didn't flinch on the Iginla penalty shot. Howard is the only guy I don't blame.

[Rick D]

They have lost Lidstrom, Rafalski, and Stuart on the blueline that is a huge defensive dropoff. Howard has also played every game this season. Played 2 good games against Dallas, should have won against the Blackhawks but the Wings could not buy a goal, first game against St. Louis was not his fault at all, and these last two games have been a result of no rest for him and the team playing poorly in front of him.

 

 

  This pretty much sums it up.

[13dangledangle]

Right now Howard could use a break but the one who makes that choice apparently likes the option of Howard playing opposed to resting.  Fair enough.

[metalkorn]

Right now Howard could use a break but the one who makes that choice apparently likes the option of Howard playing opposed to resting.  Fair enough.

 

The problem is that he can't rest. You have to throw in someone like McCollum or Mzarek because the Monster is still hurt.

Putting either of those guys in would be detrimental to them and the team in all likelihood when we are struggling to win games as it is.

[Red Crazy]

If you want to start pointing blame on this team then both Jimmy and Z would be at the end of the list. Our defense is awful. Kronwall couldn't clear the net on the Flames first goal and both E and Kronner were standing right in front of Jimmy on the third goal which was the back breaker. The problem is that the Wings don't have a 1/2 defense pairing. They are playing guy's like Cleary, Miller, Eaves, Abby, Sammy instead of bringing guy's like Tatar and Gus up for some much needed 3rd line offense. Tootoo Helm Abby/Miller should be the 4th line after that it should be offense on the top 3 and speed. If Ken Holland and Mike Babcock can't get this team into the playoffs and they don't bring in some change then one of them has to go because its a what have you done for me lately job and Ken Holland has not done s*** lately besides sign washed up has beens. It is a short season and we don't have time for s***ty effort sorry.

[rrasco]

I blame Dats for not scoring on his four chances.  He should single-handedly be able to win us the cup.  Dammit Pavs!

[Hockeymom1960]

Let's just hope Mrazek does better agains the Blues than McCollum did in his confidence destroying only NHL appearance.

 

I don't believe he'll play against the Blues.  He'll probably (hopefully) play in one of the games this coming weekend.

[gcom007]

I don't think Howard's great or as good as his biggest fans here do, but he's at the very least more than capable of being an above average to very good goalie, and he has shown that he's capable of greatness in certain moments. I also feel like he's gotten a raw deal here from the start too.

 

Babcock's consistently rode him very hard, rarely giving him a break, especially in his first couple years when he should've been given a lower-pressure role to adjust to the NHL, and he should not have been dropped into the playoffs as early as he was. I tend to think that he'd be a bit steadier now if he had been given a smoother transition into the NHL. And again, just day to day, I think he'd be a bit better if given breaks a little more often. I think Babcock does a lot of things right, but I don't like the way he manages goalies.

 

Obviously it's a rough situation right now with injuries and McCollum and a shortened schedule and more pressure, but I just don't think it's good to have your goalie starting the vast majority of games unless he's one of the very few elite goalies who have proven that they can handle it. Those goalies proved it in the playoffs; Howard hasn't done that yet. But like I said, I don't think he's had a fair shake heading into the playoffs. He was the only bright spot last year in the playoffs, but that's unfortunately not saying much either.

 

In any event, I don't think you can hold much of what's gone on this season against him. He's been fairly good with a crap team in front of him that gets crappier with every injury. And he hasn't gotten a single break this year so far!!! Just because he's not stealing every game and racking up shutouts against all odds this season doesn't make him "average."

[Xitium]

I was not a big fan of Howard. I really didn't like how he was called up seemingly because he was out of option years. I didn't think he was ready, and thought didn't belong in the organization. I felt his rebound control was a huge issue and that his angles needed a lot of work. I've come around on most of these lines of thinking, as he is solid now but I still don't feel he is elite. I doubt I ever will. More like, above average. 

[The Axe]

Im glad everyone recognizes that he's not elite. Thats my main point. With the squad we got right now, we need an elite keeper.

[Carman]

Im glad everyone recognizes that he's not elite. Thats my main point. With the squad we got right now, we need an elite keeper.

Like who?

[evilzyme]

Im glad everyone recognizes that he's not elite. Thats my main point. With the squad we got right now, we need an elite keeper.

 

No, that's not your point. You said he was average. You didn't say "Howard = Not elite"; you said "Howard = Average" and then you said 

 

I told you all this guy was just average and would struggle without #5. Seems like the Mrazek train is leaving the station and everyone is getting on board. I punched my ticket.

 

What? Please tell me what the Mrazek train is? The magical NHL games he played? We have absolute NO knowledge how he is going to play in his first game, nor in the NHL. There is NO Mrazek train and it hasn't even ARRIVED at the station. Once again, "just average" doesn't translate to "not elite". If you're going to start a thread, and try to make a point, please don't backtrack the moment people don't agree with you. 

[The Axe]

Like who?

Maybe one of the Vancouver goalies?

[Hockeymom1960]

Maybe one of the Vancouver goalies?

 

They are not "elite"

[CrimsonFlame]

Cuz you love it.  I usually try to wait until the next day so I can see the whole storm for what is was.

Its not the same as weathering it in real time.

[The Axe]

 
They are not "elite"

Who do you consider in that bunch?

[Jaymister]

Average goalie goalie on an average team =.500 record.  I think major changes need to be made to this team or a rebuild.  They're simply not good enough as they are, even before Lidstrom left they needed to make major changes but didn't and now we're seeing a really sub-par product.