jimmy howard

[johnnytata]

1 goal allowed in the last 2 games, so far the two biggest games of his life. last night the wings were outplayed for most of the game, he gave them the opportunity to win.

really impressed with this kid.

 

[TOX1]

He look pretty composed for a young buck.

 

[KindaChang]

He look pretty composed for a young buck.

He's not as young as you think. He spent five years in the minors. He accumulated 30 playoff games of experience there.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Actually, only four years in the AHL, plus three in college

It has seemed to pay off, though. Funny, so many people were ready to give up on him after Holland signed Conklin. I personally was a little mad he wasn't given a chance, but I figured I might as well trust Holland, Nill, & Co. Looks like once again, they were right and I was wrong.

What's amazing to me is how much success he's having despite looking very "raw" for an NHL level goalie. He's sloppy on rebounds, he's been lucky on some shots trickling through and going wide, he's been out of position for some routine shots and saves, and he's been making some rookie mistakes. By no means am I chastising him, I think his play has been great. He's very athletic for a big man, when focused he plays the angles almost perfectly, and he's just a big, positionally smart goalie who doesn't seem to get flustered. It's just amazing he's playing as well as he is despite looking, at times, like the rookie he is.

I'm trying not to get too high on the kid, I've seen way too many goalies come and go and follow a great season up with a horrid one (Raycroft, Toivonen, Mason, Carey, Thomas, Turek) but the one benefit Howard has is plenty of seasoning at lower levels of hockey. I'm fairly confident he will be a solid and steadily improving answer in net for Detroit for years to come.