And we’re eagerly waiting his reign in net. He and Larsson are making me very excited about our goaltending future.

Posted by Osrt on 12/19/08 at 05:32 PM ET

Why do I keep hearing negative things about Howard? Has he even played in 10 NHL games?

Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 12/19/08 at 05:50 PM ET

Howard is expected to be tearing up the AHL before being brought up to the main club. He’s not doing that and so quickly falling from favor.

Larsson, however, is doing quite well.

Posted by Osrt on 12/19/08 at 05:56 PM ET

In my opinion McCollum is talking too much, for what he has accomplished.  I don’t think he’s making friends with the four goalies on Red Wings/Griffins by making such statements to the media.

The kid has been to one Detroit training camp (as far as I know), that’s it.

Sure, Howard hasn’t been stellar and Larsson is in his rookie season but as Tyler says above, Howard has hardly played at the NHL level overall.  Just look what Quincey did once he got some NHL minutes.

Am I saying McCollum can’t make it?  Not at all, just that maybe he is digging himself a hole as far as getting the support he is going to need from the other goalies once he graduates to the Griffins.

Posted by lilja4ever on 12/19/08 at 06:44 PM ET

Ignore the fact that he hasn’t been stellar this year, when we called him up last year he played well.

We don’t need a stud, we need a guy who gives us a chance to win every night.

Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 12/19/08 at 06:58 PM ET

when we called him up last year he played well.

Yea, I agree. We lost him games where he played really well. The reason people, management most importantly, are losing some faith in him is because of his performance this year. After having a very solid showing in the NHL, they were hoping he would dominate the AHL; that’s what Kenny and Jim Nil said several times during training camp. Just passing on the info that’s all.

Quincy, like Meech and Lebda, is an NHL player. If Fil and Huds were on the Kings or their equivalent, they’d be getting the press Kopitar is (especially Fil).We’ve lost many players before and we’ll continue to do so as long as our lineup is able to deliver.

I’m spooked that we might lose Meech though. CBC has a man-crush on him already and I think he’s more valuable than Lebda; don’t let it happen Kenny. I know where you work.

Posted by Osrt on 12/19/08 at 07:10 PM ET

I’m spooked that we might lose Meech though. CBC has a man-crush on him already and I think he’s more valuable than Lebda; don’t let it happen Kenny. I know where you work.

Posted by Osrt on 12/19/08 at 07:10 PM ET

Yeah I wonder if he is a budding Dandeneau, quick skater that can be used on both ends of the ice.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 12/19/08 at 07:14 PM ET

I respect Pope’s point, but when you make a statement and then support it with a statement from a player who talks about “it,” you never really know whether he’s agreeing with the author about Osgood or whether he’s talking about the fact that he’s the third and final prospect in the Wings’ system.  If he could provide a little more context for what McCollum was saying, maybe we’d know whether he was getting a little ahead of himself or just talking about his status.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 12/19/08 at 09:27 PM ET

George - The exact question that was asked was, “With Osgood showing signs of ageing, Conklin only under contract this year and Jimmy Howard not developing the way the Wings expected him too, does that give you a little added motivation.”

Just clairifying!

Thanks for the read,
Chris
http://www.thegoodpoint.com

Posted by www.thegoodpoint.com on 12/20/08 at 12:27 AM ET

Thanks for the clarification.  Good call.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 12/20/08 at 04:15 AM ET