Jimmy Howard

[Shaman464]

Couldn't disagree more. Howard wasn't great in the AHL and 'over-the-hill' Osgood played out of his mind in two consecutive playoff runs in 08 and 09 which is why Howard wasn't brough up sooner. But when he got the opportunity in 09-10 he took it and for the most has been very consistent in his NHL career. Complaints about Howard have usually been that he doesn't steal any games and that he's not the most 'clutch' goalie. But he played a high volume of games with very few stinkers.

Even the two seasons before this he was very steady up until the point he got injured, then he was unable to find his game again.

I question either your memory or how much hockey you actually watched between 09 and 13 if you thought Howard had a problem with consistency those years. Let's see Mrazek play 60+ games next season and maintain a consistent level. So far he has done nothing close to that in his career. He is amazing when he only has to play <50 games or so though.

First, I watched him, as a season ticket holder in GR, for years. His year to year consistency is fine, it's his game to game consistency I was talking about. It's a funny thing about having a large N is that statistics start to show a lot of consistency. So, yes over multiple seasons you will see his stats are pretty much the same, but when you watched him game to game you could see some games he was great and others he was terrible. He was Jekyll and Hyde.

Howard’s consistency, which once was questioned, suddenly became stronger. So did his confidence. So did his resiliency, a quality that’s a must not just for any goalie but for any hockey player.

Source: http://www.pressherald.com/2010/02/21/howards-rise-started-in-orono_2010-02-20/

The Red Wings spent four years developing Howard in Grand Rapids, where be battled inconsistency, and they want to see what he can do now at age 25.

Source: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2009/09/red_wings_goalie_jimmy_howard.html

Howard starred at the University of Maine despite his status as a reactionary goaltender who butterflied on every shot, and when he "turned pro" after his junior year, the Wings hoped that he'd find his way in the AHL. Instead, Howard meandered through three very inconsistent seasons with the Griffins before steadying his game this past season.

Source: http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/06/red_wings_hope_to_maximize_the.html

From early 2014 taking about his starts in 2013:

Jimmy Howard needs to be consistent, if not dominant

When the Red Wings were battling to make the playoffs in 2010, the rookie Howard led their post-Olympic break charge, going 16-2-2. He doesn’t need to be unbeatable, but he must be more consistent after going 12-13-9, with a 2.65 goals-against average. Injuries (hand, knee) and defensive lapses contributed to his troubles. He has played better after a rough stretch in November and December. An offensively challenged team will need its goaltender to steal some games.

Seriously, I have 5 more sources from 2008-2011 that all talk about Howard as being an inconsistent goalie in GR and at least part of his time in Maine. He has now shown again that he is not that consistent in the last couple seasons as others have pointed out in those seasons ad naseum, where he will go 10 games posting a sub .900 Sv% then go on a tear and post a great Sv%. Howard has a long history of being an extremely inconsistent goalie, with a brief period of playing well. As such calling him inconsistent isn't unwarranted.

I question either your memory or how much hockey you actually watched between 09 and 13 if you thought Howard had a problem with consistency those years.

I question how much you know what you're talking about most of the time. As you easily prove to be incorrect as sources as late as 2011 and as early as late 2013 peg him as seen as inconsistent by the organization and season observers. His period of consistency spanned about 2 1/2 pro seasons since he first came out of Maine. There is no way anyone can call that a consistent player.

 

[ColdToiletSeats]

https://www.nhl.com/news/maple-leafs-seeking-experienced-backup-goalie/c-281149832

Maple Leafs looking for experienced backup goalie

Kenny get on it!

 

[chances14]

khan's latest Q&A

Howard isn't going anywhere, at least not in the off-season and probably not during the season. This was apparent after Calgary acquired Brian Elliott on June 24.

They're planning on having Jared Coreau as Mrazek's backup in 2017-18. If Howard isn't selected in the 2017 expansion draft by Las Vegas, he might be easier to move next off-season with two years remaining on his contract. If not, a buyout is possible.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2016/07/ask_ansar.html#incart_river_index

 

[Winger98]

khan's latest Q&A



http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2016/07/ask_ansar.html#incart_river_index

Not really surprising. When we couldn't ship him to Calgary, the writing was pretty much on the wall. If Vegas doesn't want him, we'd be far better off retaining a big chunk than having another buyout on the books for several years, though.

 

[chances14]

Not really surprising. When we couldn't ship him to Calgary, the writing was pretty much on the wall. If Vegas doesn't want him, we'd be far better off retaining a big chunk than having another buyout on the books for several years, though.

that's the part i was surprised about. Can't imagine they want to have all that dead money sitting on the books

 

[Bench]

that's the part i was surprised about. Can't imagine they want to have all that dead money sitting on the books

Not really surprising. When we couldn't ship him to Calgary, the writing was pretty much on the wall. If Vegas doesn't want him, we'd be far better off retaining a big chunk than having another buyout on the books for several years, though.

A buyout on Howard next summer, for the 2017-2018 season, would work out like this:
2018: $1.83 (savings of 3.5)
2019: $2.58 (save 2.72)
2020: $1.54 (save nothing, spend 1.54)
2021: $1.54 (and ditto)

So season 1 you save around $3.5 million on his $5.3 million cap hit. Season 2 you only save $2.72 million. Then you're taking on 2 extra years beyond the contract.

Solution? Suck it up and retain $3 million. Jimmy Howard for 2 years at $2.3 million is probably a number a team will stomach. By retaining $3 million for the 2 seasons it works out like this:

2018: $3 million (+ 1.17 than buyout)
2019: $3 million (+ 0.42)

You barely save anything with the buyout compared to retaining $3 million, plus you have the two extra years lagging.

Suck it up, retain over half the contract and find somebody that wants a veteran backup goalie cheap.

 

[Henkka]

50% is maximum salary/caphit retention.

Would be nice if somebody takes him with 2.65M

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

50% is maximum salary/caphit retention.

Would be nice if somebody takes him with 2.65M

I think if he has a better year somebody will take him at that without us having to really add on top of it.

 

[Bench]

50% is maximum salary/caphit retention.

Would be nice if somebody takes him with 2.65M

Ah hell, thanks. That's basically the same idea. Hopefully they can make it work.