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themcityblues

Mrazek to start how many games?

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But Nyquist is our future!

What will be interesting I think is that for the first time since the 90s the Wings won't be led by superstars. We had Stevie and Feds, followed by the entire HOF team, then Z and D and Lids. The future is Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Larkin, Pulkkinnen, Mantha, Marchenko, XO, Sproul, etc. I don't think any of them will be elite (as of now) but maybe a deep balanced system will work. But if some of them become elite F yeah keep on rollin red wings

That's a very good point. People thought the loss of Godstrould be a major blow and for sure it was, the defense hasn't even been close to be as good as they were...but don't underestimate the impact of losing one of the most skilled players ever (Pasha) and then a very very good two-way center soon after that ? It would be unfair to expect Larkin to fill in for either one.

So a bonafide number 1 defender - hopefully DannyD develops into one - will be needed because otherwise the defense will take another shot. Also the center Position will need to be fixed by then

Edited by frankgrimes

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That's a very good point. People thought the loss of Godstrould be a major blow and for sure it was, the defense hasn't even been close to be as good as they were...but don't underestimate the impact of losing one of the most skilled players ever (Pasha) and then a very very good two-way center soon after that ? It would be unfair to expect Larkin to fill in for either one. So a bonafide number 1 defender - hopefully DannyD develops into one - will be needed because otherwise the defense will take another shot. Also the center Position will need to be fixed by then

Godstrould was a big loss

I still miss yellow mustard too

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With the 8 extremely good young forwards that we have in our system right now (Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Sheahan, Pulkkinen, Athanasiou, Mantha and Larkin) I don't think we have much to worry about up front. I think all of these guys are / could be legit top 6(3) NHL players, and I think it's very possible that at least 1 or 2 could become elite. Defense is definitely our area of weakness right now and in the future in my opinion. We have 4, maybe 5 young defensemen (DeKeyser, Smith, Sproul, Ouellet, Marchenko) that could become top 4 guys.

I think either way you look at it, we are set up pretty good when Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Kronwall eventually retire in the next 3-5 years (which by the way, is still a ways away yet...)

As for the great Howard vs. Mrazek debate, I still think Howard deserves a shot to prove he is the Red Wings best option in goal for the time being. After all, like many have already pointed out, he was putting up great numbers and having an All-Star year prior to his injury. In saying that, I do believe he should be on a somewhat short leash, and Mrazek stealing the job at this point should be a real option. I don't think you go with the veteran goalie into the playoffs if the rookie is playing substantially better.

I've always been a Howard supporter and still am, but I don't buy that the team just happens to show up when Mrazek (or Gustavsson) is in net, and play like s*** when Howard is in net. I think the teams play is a result of the goalies play. It's much easier to get going on the offense when your goalie is making the huge key saves in a game. If the goalie lets in a softie or two, it usually does effect the teams overall play. Howard is very capable in making big time saves from time to time but he is also known to let in a few weak goals at inopportune times. Another obvious contributing factor in the team playing better when Mrazek is in net, is his ability to play the puck. As cliché as it sounds, it really is like having a third defenseman back there.

Howard has been awful 1on1 recently and has never learned how to play the puck. Mrazek is pretty good 1on1 due to his aggressive style, and can play the puck as well as any goaltender in the league. The kid oozes confidence and if he's able to string together another few great performances down the stretch and Howard struggles, I think he should be our guy for the playoffs. However, I do still believe it is Howie's job to lose...

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With the 8 extremely good young forwards that we have in our system right now (Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Sheahan, Pulkkinen, Athanasiou, Mantha and Larkin) I don't think we have much to worry about up front. I think all of these guys are / could be legit top 6(3) NHL players, and I think it's very possible that at least 1 or 2 could become elite. Defense is definitely our area of weakness right now and in the future in my opinion. We have 4, maybe 5 young defensemen (DeKeyser, Smith, Sproul, Ouellet, Marchenko) that could become top 4 guys.

I think either way you look at it, we are set up pretty good when Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Kronwall eventually retire in the next 3-5 years (which by the way, is still a ways away yet...)

As for the great Howard vs. Mrazek debate, I still think Howard deserves a shot to prove he is the Red Wings best option in goal for the time being. After all, like many have already pointed out, he was putting up great numbers and having an All-Star year prior to his injury. In saying that, I do believe he should be on a somewhat short leash, and Mrazek stealing the job at this point should be a real option. I don't think you go with the veteran goalie into the playoffs if the rookie is playing substantially better.

I've always been a Howard supporter and still am, but I don't buy that the team just happens to show up when Mrazek (or Gustavsson) is in net, and play like s*** when Howard is in net. I think the teams play is a result of the goalies play. It's much easier to get going on the offense when your goalie is making the huge key saves in a game. If the goalie lets in a softie or two, it usually does effect the teams overall play. Howard is very capable in making big time saves from time to time but he is also known to let in a few weak goals at inopportune times. Another obvious contributing factor in the team playing better when Mrazek is in net, is his ability to play the puck. As cliché as it sounds, it really is like having a third defenseman back there.

Howard has been awful 1on1 recently and has never learned how to play the puck. Mrazek is pretty good 1on1 due to his aggressive style, and can play the puck as well as any goaltender in the league. The kid oozes confidence and if he's able to string together another few great performances down the stretch and Howard struggles, I think he should be our guy for the playoffs. However, I do still believe it is Howie's job to lose...

While I think Mrazek can and will take the starting job in the next 1-2 years, I really think Howard's play right now goes back to the injury and him not being at 100%, either physically, mentally, or both. You've got to give him the chance down the stretch, but given that he's coming back from a pretty intense injury for a goalie, you've got to be prepared to go with Mrazek if he's looking solid and Howard can't pull it together. It's simple as that.

Howard may have his shortcomings, but Mrazek wouldn't be a serious option this year if not for Howard's injury. Mrazek still has his fair share of shortcomings as well. I love the way he plays the puck, but rookies are rookies and he's still got a bit to learn. That said, if we end up rolling with him in the playoffs, I'll still feel pretty good about our chances. He may struggle with rebounds still and have his weak goaltending moments, but as you said, he does so many things right with the puck that helps our offense that I think it ultimately is a wash right now at worst. At best, he's looking more and more like the goalie of the future.

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Howie definitely doesn't have it together right now. He may have pushed himself back a little bit too early. From the games I've been able to watch, there were a number of goals where it looked like he gave up on them. I'm not saying he would normally do that, but I think it's an indication that he's still hurting.

Mrazek is still young and that means the occasional rookie mistake, but his puck handling just completely changes the game in our favor. I know I've been kind of scoffed at for stating how much it would help, but I hope people have been able to see the difference and might be coming around to it. And I don't mean to be a dick, but let's not forget how Howie injured himself in the first place.

I remember when Howard first came up and started splitting starts. I kept thinking "this is the guy? This is our goalie of the future?" Five years later he's improved no doubt, but he still plays like a timid kid. I just don't get that vibe when Mrazek plays.

Edited by roboturner

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Howie's definitely doesn't have it together right now. He may have pushed himself back a little bit too early. From the games I've been able to watch, there were a number of goals where it looked like he gave up on them. I'm not saying he would normally do that, but I think it's an indication that he's still hurting.

Mrazek is still young and that means the occasional rookie mistake, but his puck handling just completely changes the game in our favor. I know I've been kind of scoffed at for stating how much it would help, but I hope people have been able to see the difference and might be coming around to it. And I don't mean to be a dick, but let's not forget how Howie injured himself in the first place.

I remember when Howard first came up and started splitting starts. I kept thinking "this is the guy? This is our goalie of the future?" Five years later he's improved no doubt, but he still plays like a timid kid. I just don't get that vibe when Mrazek plays.

If there is one thing I'll completely agree with you on, it's that Mrazek always looks a lot more confident out there than a whole lot of starting NHL goalies. Whether he should be at this point might be up for debate, but the kid is no doubt spirited. I absolutely love his fight; it'll serve him well as he continues to develop.

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... If Mrazek goes full Hammond and Howard struggles mightily, then maybe it's time for this discussion. It's not right now from what we've seen...

Speaking of Hammond he just won again 2-1 in OT. Most exciting game I've seen all year as he moves to 12-0-1 to start his career. Ottawa's AHL team is in Binghamton where I lived until August and I can say Hammond was very rarley impressive. Compared the Lehner and Bishop he was not good at all.

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What will be interesting I think is that for the first time since the 90s the Wings won't be led by superstars. We had Stevie and Feds, followed by the entire HOF team, then Z and D and Lids. The future is Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Larkin, Pulkkinnen, Mantha, Marchenko, XO, Sproul, etc. I don't think any of them will be elite (as of now) but maybe a deep balanced system will work. But if some of them become elite F yeah keep on rollin red wings

I like how I was making a bad joke about the use is Gus for both Nyquist and Monster and you made it into an interesting point.

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What happens if Mrazek plays lights out? Wish Babcock had said Mrazek is playing against the Panthers and then we"ll see

Way too early to leave Howard hanging heading into the playoffs. He needs more chances to get something going. As much as anyone likes Mrazek, it's tough to say that it's ideal going into the playoffs with a rookie goalie. If we have to, we have to, and I do think Mrazek is a hell of a rookie goalie to be "stuck" with, but we've got a few weeks to see how things play out with Howard before we get too crazy.

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It doesn't matter how Petr plays or how much he plays down the stretch.

When game 1 of the playoffs starts Howard will be in net regardless.

Now if Howard drops the ball in the playoffs they might go to Mrazek, but I'd say its more likely that Gustavsson is the back-up by then, and Petr is leading the Griffins to another Calder Cup.

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It doesn't matter how Petr plays or how much he plays down the stretch.

When game 1 of the playoffs starts Howard will be in net regardless.

Now if Howard drops the ball in the playoffs they might go to Mrazek, but I'd say its more likely that Gustavsson is the back-up by then, and Petr is leading the Griffins to another Calder Cup.

That, I can deal with for now.

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With the 8 extremely good young forwards that we have in our system right now (Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Sheahan, Pulkkinen, Athanasiou, Mantha and Larkin) I don't think we have much to worry about up front. I think all of these guys are / could be legit top 6(3) NHL players, and I think it's very possible that at least 1 or 2 could become elite. Defense is definitely our area of weakness right now and in the future in my opinion. We have 4, maybe 5 young defensemen (DeKeyser, Smith, Sproul, Ouellet, Marchenko) that could become top 4 guys.

I think either way you look at it, we are set up pretty good when Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Kronwall eventually retire in the next 3-5 years (which by the way, is still a ways away yet...)

As for the great Howard vs. Mrazek debate, I still think Howard deserves a shot to prove he is the Red Wings best option in goal for the time being. After all, like many have already pointed out, he was putting up great numbers and having an All-Star year prior to his injury. In saying that, I do believe he should be on a somewhat short leash, and Mrazek stealing the job at this point should be a real option. I don't think you go with the veteran goalie into the playoffs if the rookie is playing substantially better.

I've always been a Howard supporter and still am, but I don't buy that the team just happens to show up when Mrazek (or Gustavsson) is in net, and play like s*** when Howard is in net. I think the teams play is a result of the goalies play. It's much easier to get going on the offense when your goalie is making the huge key saves in a game. If the goalie lets in a softie or two, it usually does effect the teams overall play. Howard is very capable in making big time saves from time to time but he is also known to let in a few weak goals at inopportune times. Another obvious contributing factor in the team playing better when Mrazek is in net, is his ability to play the puck. As cliché as it sounds, it really is like having a third defenseman back there.

Howard has been awful 1on1 recently and has never learned how to play the puck. Mrazek is pretty good 1on1 due to his aggressive style, and can play the puck as well as any goaltender in the league. The kid oozes confidence and if he's able to string together another few great performances down the stretch and Howard struggles, I think he should be our guy for the playoffs. However, I do still believe it is Howie's job to lose...

I love you

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It doesn't matter how Petr plays or how much he plays down the stretch.

When game 1 of the playoffs starts Howard will be in net regardless.

Now if Howard drops the ball in the playoffs they might go to Mrazek, but I'd say its more likely that Gustavsson is the back-up by then, and Petr is leading the Griffins to another Calder Cup.

While I tend to think Howard likely will get the start as well, I wouldn't be shocked to see Mrazek around for the playoffs this season given how fragile Gus has been this year. The guy just hasn't played much at all and if something happens to Howard, I don't think they're going to want to rely on Gus at this point if he's even available then.

Edited by gcom007

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